[BCMA] Press Release: July 15 Cannery Speakers' Series

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 5, 2017

Cannery Speakers' Series July 15th - Working Together

RICHMOND, BC - On Saturday July 15th, Richmond councillor Harold Steves and historian and former Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society President, Bud Sakamoto, will present Working Together: How Multiculturalism Shaped the B.C. Fishing Industry. Together, they will explore the many ways that the Chinese and Japanese communities contributed to the local fishing industry. Both former fishermen, and life-long friends, Steves and Sakamoto will also share their personal connections to the industry.

Salmon is central to the identity of Steveston for many people. From the annual Salmon Festival to its former nickname "Salmonopolis", the salmon theme can be found throughout the village for good reason. Historically, Steveston had the largest concentration of salmon canneries along the coast of British Columbia, and during canning season, the population grew exponentially as people flocked here to work for one of the 15 canneries that were part of Steveston's Cannery Row. Reminders of this vibrant past are everywhere. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site's feature exhibit The Pull of the Net<http://gulfofgeorgiacannery.org/exhibits/the-pull-of-the-net-commercial-fishing-in-canada> celebrates this history, and the summer Speakers' Series delves deeper into some of the most compelling stories of the fishing industry.

The Cannery's Manager of Audience Engagement, Shannon King, sat down with Steve and Sakamoto to talk about their perspectives. "Both Harold Steves and Bud Sakamoto have fished on the Fraser River, so they know this topic inside and out. In this presentation, they want to emphasize the work that previous generations did in creating the community that we know today. Racial discrimination existed for sure, but Harold said that being on the water was an equalizer - that cultural differences disappeared out there."

The Speakers' Series is free of admission, and will be held in the Cannery's Boiler House Theatre on July 15th Saturday from 2pm to 3:30pm. Seating is limited.

The Pull of the Net Speakers' Series is a recipient of the City of Richmond's Canada 150 grant initiative. Richmond Canada 150 ignites the passions of the citizens of Richmond in a multi-faceted, year-long celebration, honours Richmond's distinct and vibrant cultural diversity, and leaves lasting legacies that foster civic pride and carry the spirit of 150 into the future.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site of Canada is operated by the non-profit Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society, on behalf of Parks Canada.
Location: 12138 Fourth Avenue at Moncton, Richmond (Steveston Village).
Hours: Open daily, year-round from 10am-5pm.   Call 604-664-9009 for details.  www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.org<http://www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.org>

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Media Contact:   Mimi Horita  mimi.horita at gogcannery.org<mailto:mimi.horita at gogcannery.org>  604.664.9006

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