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With secured funding from the Diocese of New Westminster and Diocese of Calgary members of the JCWG have met with eight Japanese Canadian communities across the country. Wendy Matsubuchi-Bremner and Judy Hanazawa started with a meeting in Vancouver before visiting Calgary, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal to host education and outreach sessions regarding clergy sexual abuse, the history of G.G. Nakayama, and to discuss the 2015 Anglican Church apology.
At these meetings Wendy and Judy heard from some survivors of G.G. Nakayama's abuse and many family members. Some survivors said that they had never told anybody what had happened to them and some have buried their trauma inside themselves for over 60 years. Other family members recalled only learning about what happened to their loved one decades afterwards. In a community meeting in Lethbridge, Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson was in attendance and committed to supporting those harmed by GG Nakayama.
Importantly at these meetings attending community members were asked for their recommendations for healing support from the Anglican Church for survivors, families and community as meaningful follow up to the Apology. The suggestions from community members were compiled in a report, which was submitted to the Anglican Church. The suggestions from community members on healing initiatives will form the basis for the joint efforts by the JCWG and the ACC to seek out a meaningful follow-up to the 2015 apology that will support survivors, their families, and the community.
