About the Author: Cathy
Why this book? Why now?
I attended elementary school, high school, and even university as a typical white middle class cisgender Canadian female. In all that time I never once heard one mention of Japanese Canadians being interned in relocation camps across Canada during and after the second world war. For years this went on, even in my own province and I never knew.
Then I met Kaz. When I introduced him to my grandparents, staunch protestant Scots people with brogue as thick as the black tea they sipped all day, I was shocked when my grandfather apologized to him. "Terrible thing the government did to your people. Terrible thing." Thing? What terrible thing? Turned out that before the war, my grandfather's closest friend was Japanese. But he was taken away. I had a lot of catching up to do.
When Kaz and I became engaged I pestered him to teach me Japanese, but he put me off. Finally, one evening it came to a head. What I thought was a gentle prodding was actually an emotional ambush. Kaz faced me, his face twisted in anguish. "You just don't get it. You think this is something to be proud of? I am the enemy!" he croaked. Then he began to sob. I was dumbfounded. Horrified. What had I done? After Kaz went to bed, I turned off all of the lights in the living room and sat in the dark wondering what happened to him to cause him such pain. I realized I had so much more to understand. I began to read extensively about the internment.
Then suddenly, in 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney apologized publicly to Japanese Canadians for the injustices done to them during and after the war.
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/government-apologizes-to-japanese-canadians-in-1988-1.4680546
That weekend was a Miyata wedding. They were all together just after the redress was announced and the flood gates opened. The enormous burden of shame the Japanese Canadians carried for being interned was lifted and the stories flowed. All weekend I listened and wept. I had two young children at the time and the experiences the family described were terrifying to me as a mother. How did they survive this? Why doesn't anyone know? For years afterwards I engaged my mother-in-law and other members of the family in conversations about that part of their history. Story after story. Heart break after heart break. I collected these stories and always knew they should be shared.
A few years ago, I obtained my doctoral degree and became a qualitative researcher, specifically in narrative inquiry. This is when my mission became clear. By combining my research skills with my storytelling /writing background I could share these traumatic events with anyone who might want to know- who might want to truly understand. This I could do for Kaz, his family, for those interned in Neys, and for my own BIPOC children who needed to hear the truth.
I am honoured that the Miyata family and those I interviewed allowed and encouraged me with this great privilege.
Below is the link to an article I wrote for The Toronto Star connecting this novel to the events happening in the United States.
Sincerely,
Cathy Miyata
Cathy's Biography
As a child I was an avid reader. During elementary school I kept a novel hidden under my desktop and read constantly during class. The classroom tedium could not compete with the whimsy of Half Magic or the sleuth antics of Nancy Drew. Reading fed my starved mind and imagination. I also loved to write and wrote my first play in grade six and my first novel in grade eight. I still have the original manuscript of the novel.
Growing up I worked for the city as a Craft Leader in the winter and Parks Supervisor in the summer. I always worked with children. So, after obtaining my honours BA at Windsor University in Developmental Drama, it was natural for me to start my professional career as an elementary school teacher. While teaching, I met Kaz and my life changed. After a whirlwind romance we married and soon after started our family. I happily gave up teaching to be a stay- at-home mom. My dream as a child (when I wasn't reading) was to be a mommy. My family is my rock.
As my children grew up, I opened my own business as a professional storyteller, specializing in educational content. I wrote my own shows, frequently portraying myself in role as historical or whimsical characters: Mother Goose, a medieval minstrel, Athena the Greek Goddess, Laura Secord, Mrs. Claus, etc.
These were very popular and a lot of fun to perform as audiences often believed I was really that person. I also toured in Mouth Music: The Poetry Show with Bob Barton (which we co-wrote) for Prologue to the Performing Arts. It was a very creative and magical time.
During this era, I also wrote and published books for teachers and novels for children. (See Other Books by Authors in this web site). I was often invited to speak at conferences and present keynotes for school boards on imaginative curriculum and stimulating literacy practices. This eventually led me to a position with the Royal Conservatory of Music in their Learning Through the Arts program. As a Mentor Artist, teaching educators how to combine core curriculum with the arts, I travelled the world.
At the age of 50, I hit a crossroads. I needed a change. What next? When I was a teacher, I secretly longed to be a university professor. Academics teased the intellectual side of me. With Kaz's enormous support I left the Conservatory and went back to school obtaining my Master of Education with Mount St. Vincent and my doctoral degree at the University of Toronto. Throughout these years I was invited to teach part time at Brock University and eventually Wilfrid Laurier where I was hired full time as an Assistant Professor. Becoming a qualitative researcher was an exciting turning point in my life. Combining research with writing is absolutely thrilling.
I am now a retired professor, writing full time. Kaz and I take turns picking up our granddaughter from school on a daily basis. It is the highlight of our day. I love to walk, practice Yoga, garden, read, write, entertain, decorate (any occasion will do), listen to audio books (almost an obsession), watch Netflix (with Kaz), and colour with Ev.
The writing of our book, Destination: Neys, has been a heart-wrenching yet heart-warming and very rewarding journey. I am currently researching and discussing the sequel with Kaz. More to come!