Idaho Falls JACL
Mission Statement
The mission of the Idaho Falls Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (IFJACL), as part of the National organization, is to secure and maintain the civil and Human rights of Japanese Americans and other people who are subject to injustice and prejudice. We work to promote the education of others regarding the history, culture, experiences, and contributions of the Japanese American community.
Within the JA, the Kyowa Club was organized for Nisei as a social and educational organization. In the late 1930’s it was recognized that there was a need and advantage of belonging to a national organization and the idea of an Intermountain association of Nisei clubs was beginning to form. During a December 2, 1939, meeting in Idaho Falls, the concept of creating the Intermountain District Council (IDC) was visualized and nurtured. The territory originally included Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. On December 29, 1939, at an invitational meeting in Salt Lake City, a unanimous vote in favor of forming the IDC gave birth to JACL National’s Fourth District. Although a charter for the IDC was issued in February 1940, the official confirmation wasn’t until September of that year during the Portland Convention at which the Southeastern Idaho Chapter of the JACL was recognized as members from Pocatello, Rexburg, and Idaho Falls.
By May of 1941, the Southeastern Idaho Chapter was dissolved when the Kyowa Club of Idaho Falls, the Seinen Club of Pocatello, the Toai Nisei Club, and the Toai Joshi Seinen Club of Rexburg successfully petitioned the IDC for individual Chapter charters resulting in the establishment of the Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Yellowstone (Rexburg) Chapters.
In 1941 the Idaho Falls JACL Chapter was chartered with some (58) charter members. In later years the Chapter membership increased to its peak of approximately 130 members.
1941 – The outbreak of World War II changed the entire country. Many activities were curtailed, and the Idaho JA transferred ownership of the building on 1st street to the Idaho Falls JACL before the JA disbanded.
1942 – Evacuees from the West coast area began arriving in Idaho. Most stayed for the duration of the War but returned to their former places of residence or to other areas at the end of the War.
Many Nisei from this area served both in the European and the Pacific conflict as members of the U.S. armed forces.
Both the Issei and Nisei made generous monetary contributions thru the JACL to “prove” themselves as loyal Americans to their community and Nation. A newspaper article in October 1942 tells of the JACL, with its 40 some young members, collecting more than 12% of the Idaho Falls’ City Community War Chest Fund goal.
1947 – The Annual picnic was revived and the IFJACL hosted the National JACL Board meeting in conjunction with the IDC Convention. The idea to create the 1000 Club was raised and endorsed during this National Board meeting. The idea of the Club was to get 1000 members to pay a $25 a year membership fee to give National a $25,000 annual working budget. The IFJACL raised and donated $3500 to help establish the Sacred Heart Hospital, one of the most modern hospitals in the State at that time.
1950-1960 – In Idaho Falls the citizens of Japanese ancestry became very active and accepted during this period and all Chapter functions were very well supported. The favored functions included the annual JACL Community picnic and the annual winter carnival. As part of the IDC, the efforts of the IFJACL helped to repeal discriminatory laws affecting the Japanese including, in 1955, the repeal of Idaho’s Alien Land Law thus allowing people of Japanese descent to own land in Idaho.
The IFJACL building was falling into disrepair due to non-usage. The treasury was rapidly becoming depleted due to the lack of fund-raising activities and the increased maintenance cost of the Chapter’s building. Members agreed to sell the facility and its contents, which was accomplished in 1987. This sadly ended a historical era of ownership for the building that was a large part of the members’ lives for sixty years.
1980 to present – Investments from the sale of the IFJACL building/property have continued to provide the primary funding for maintaining an active Chapter in Idaho Falls. This has been supported by fundraising activities and donations from past and present members.
In 2012, the Chapter began a bi-annual bento box sale. The bento box sale has become a favored tradition within the community and acts as both a major fundraiser and an opportunity for the Chapter membership to work with the community in producing a bit of Japanese culture and cuisine.
The Chapter embraces our history as members and their families annually gather with the Pocatello/Blackfoot JACL for a Father’s Day picnic to socialize and celebrate our unity.
In 2018, with support from the JACL National and JACL Legacy Fund Grant, the IFJACL Chapter successfully organized and conducted a Teachers Workshop focused on Executive Order 9066, and the incarceration of Japanese Americans. The workshop discussion included themes that are as relevant today as they were then such as identity, immigration,
| CHAPTER BOARD TITLE | Alternative Title | Title | First | Last | Middle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT | Mrs. | Lora | King | ||
| VICE-PRESIDENT | Membership Chair | Mr. | Roger | Haga | |
| HISTORIAN | NEWSLETTER | Mr. | Walter | Sato | |
| TREASURER | Mrs. | Lisa | Olsen | Shiosaki | |
| Recording Secretary | Pacific Citizen Contact | Mr. | Jonathan | Ochi | |
| Corresponding Secretary | Hospitality Appointment | Mrs. | Karen | Sato | |
| Youth Representative | Mr. | Jaxon | King | ||
| Scholarship Chair | Social Chair | Mrs. | Connie | Morishita | |
| Social Chair | Mr. | Tim | Morishita | ||
| Board Member at Large | Mrs. | Dale | Cawley | ||
| Board Member at Large | Mr. | Matthew | Ishino | ||
| Anti-Hate | Legal Advisor | Mr. | Michael | Wheiler | |
| Advertising Appointment | Ms. | Evelyn | King |
History
The Idaho Falls Chapter of the JACL (IFJACL) has a long history in Idaho. Although Japanese Immigrants began settling in Eastern Idaho as early as 1903. In the early years, an organization named the Idaho Japanese Association (JA) was formed by the Japanese in Idaho Falls and the surrounding areas. In 1912, the JA in the area moved to establish the right of Japanese aliens to own land, but the right was taken away less than 10 years later by Idaho’s Alien Land Law.
A 1922 move to take away their leasing rights, however, failed. In 1927, the JA’s purchased property and a building which was used as a Japanese language school as well as for other activities involving the Japanese in the area. This property was eventually transferred, because of World War II, to the Idaho Falls JACL and was later replaced with a building at 187 1st Street.
1959 - The IFJACL participated in efforts to successfully repeal Idaho’s 92-year old Anti-Miscegenation Law which prohibited mixed marriages between Caucasians and Asians.
1960-1962 - Joe Nishioka, IFJACL member, and past IDC Chairman, served a co-chair for the JACL campaign committee to repeal Article 6, Section 3, of Idaho’s Constitution that prohibited Asian Americans the right to vote, serve on a jury or hold public office. This campaign became known as “Yes on SJR-1”. On November 6, 1962, the resolution passed 75.4% to 24.6% of the votes.
1979-1980s – Many Sansei reached adulthood and after completing college, left the area for reasons of employment in their specific fields and because of marriage. This had a profound effect on local activities. Interest and participation diminished to the point where the IFJACL nearly became defunct.
prejudice, civil rights, courage, and what it means to be an American. Participants in the workshop shared their knowledge and held excellent discussions presenting the human side of the experience and portrayed the suffering and sacrifice that the Japanese Americans experienced. The participants also toured the Minidoka National Historic Site (formerly known as the Minidoka War Relocation Center) which brought life to the incarceration experience and to the workshop training.
The Chapter has continued to support the Idaho Falls community through participation and annual donations to the Eastern Idaho Technical College/College of Eastern Idaho, the Idaho Falls Mayor’s Scholarship, the IFJACL Chapter Scholarship, and the Sister-City Youth Program.
2024 IDAHO FALLS CHAPTER - JACL BOARD MEMBERS
CONTACT: jaclifinc@gmail.com
