Mr. Takayesu and Mr. Kohashigawa (two Okinawan immigrants) at Lethbridge, Alberta, 1910, by an unknown photographer

Imagine moving to a new country as a 19-year old to build a new life. K. Kohashigawa (on the right) was the second youngest of a group of the first Okinawans to immigrate to Canada in 1907.

Here Mr. Kohashigawa is shown with Mr. Takayesu, proudly dressed in their best clothes. He was employed at the Dallas Hotel, while Mr. Takayesu was a porter at the Lethbridge Chinook Club.

Immigrants have enriched Canada’s multi-cultural heritage. Because of cultural differences, they have often been the targets of prejudice.

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