A landmark community gathering, “Gila River Connections: A Celebration of Shared History,” will take place in Chandler, Arizona, from February 19-22, 2026. This vital event will bring together Japanese American WWII camp survivors, their descendants, members of the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), students, and allies to honor the intertwined histories of the two communities.

The four-day gathering aims to foster healing and reflect on the shared experiences of displacement, resettlement, forced assimilation, and ultimate resilience. “This event will simultaneously honor the history of Japanese American incarcerees and the sovereignty of GRIC lands and provide opportunities for community-building and shared healing,” the organizing committee stated.

This promises to be a significant assembly of Japanese Americans at Gila River, building upon the JACL National Convention at Wild Horse Pass in 2006, and the visit of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) Ireicho (book of names) national tour in 2025.