Roy Sakata Classification Talk

Roy thanked Lynn for the opportunity to speak to the club. Roy's wife warned him not to speak too much, so he prepared handouts and has visual aids. This helps explain what has helped shape Roy and how he became an educator. Roy was born in an internment camp in 1942 in Bridge River. Roy's parents and relatives (30 different families) resided in abandoned BC Hydro housing left over from the Seton Portage project.  Roy lived there for two years, then his family moved to Merritt until grade one.  For the first seven years of his life, he lived in an internment camp. Then they moved to East Lillooet. They were not permitted to attend public schools, so the families built their own schools.

Most of the families moved to Steveston but Roy's dad, being a maverick, moved the family to Quadre Island, a tiny island opposite Campbell River.  Roy attended school from Grade Two to Grade Thirteen at Campbell River when the sea was not too rough and the fog not too thick. During Roy's college years, he fished commercially and made lots of money. His mom always said "save your money" but he liked hot cars. 

Roy got his Bachelor of Education and his first school was Manoah Steves in Richmond. Back then, Richmond had lots of farms and less houses. He was transferred every five years to different Richmond schools. In the late seventies, Roy was introduced to Rotary and has always enjoyed the cameraderie and taking part in community and international projects.

Recently, Roy has worked with First Nations. Students and parents have always been his main focus and his motto is "empower people", teach them to be good decision makers.  His mom's message was always, "don't shame the family".  Roy's son asked him about his college years and if there were drugs. His son asked him if he ever tried drugs.  Roy told his son  "no, I never tried drugs, I was going to be an educator and I wanted to act with integrity and honor"

Roy shared pictures of recent annuals from different schools, pictures of Roy's immediate family, a recogntion letter from Minister of Education, recognition letter from William Vander Zalm.  Roy was a founding member of the Britania Shipyard Society and received Heritage Society recognition.  Roy has spent the last seven years plus as an educator at Gitksan Wet'suwet'en, which is halfway between Smithers and Terrace.  He was nominated as chief of the village. He declined saying he was a foreigner and withdrew his nomination.  Roy was adopted by the village clan and presented with a feast vest. Feasts are traditionally held with rights of passage for youth, for naming of new chiefs and for funerals. Originally the vests were made of abalone shells, now they use buttons. The black signifys the body and red signifys the fluid in the body. His tribal name means white fingers, a time honored name.  On the back of the vest is a stylized wolf (part of the wolf clan). It has been a real honor to be adopted by the village. There are obligations and include attending funerals. Tradition of funerals include three feasts. Every member of the clan donates food and money when attending these feasts.

These are some of the experiences of Roy as an educator and growing up in Canada.

Art thanked Roy for the presentation, and told Roy that he and the club were all very sorry to see Roy head north years ago and leave the Ladner Club but everyone is more than happy to welcome him back to our club.  Guillermo also thanked Roy on behalf of his "missing buddy Larry Pretty" for the wonderful presentation and for following a long tradition of immigrants following the teaching profession. Roy was thanked for sharing the story of his life and for not shying away from his life in the internment camp.