treatment of japanese canadians during WWII

despite being canadian, people of japanese, and to a lesser extent (at least population wise) german and italian, descent were treated like enemies within their own homeland. when forced from the BC coast, people were allowed to take only what they could carry. in 1988, the canadian government of the day issued a formal apology to the japanese community and paid those who were still alive and victims of this injustice $21000. that amount was symbolic as it was no way near to what people lost. a little known fact is that not one single japanese canadian was arrested for any crime let alone treason during the war. some even served in the military. my parents never spoke to me much about this period in their lives. and yes, when they talked to my relatives about it, they spoke japanese. for most, despite doing no wrong, they were ashamed and this led to a concerted effort to become "more" canadian causing much of my japanese culture and almost all of the japanese community being lost. instead of growing up surrounded by japanese canadians, i only knew 5 or 6 until my 20s. out of over 30 cousins, my brother and myself, only 2 or 3 married another japanese canadian. just another sad chapter in canadian history. japanese americans were treated in the same manner in the US. nevertheless, some also served in the military. the US 442nd Infantry Regiment (which absorbed the 100th Infantry Battalion into its ranks), which consisted almost entirely of japanese americans, is the most decorated regiment in US military history. you can learn about the japanese american (nisei) soldiers heriocs on youtube.com. search "history channel most decorated documentary". it's just over 45min long.