By Scott Ranachan
The Canadian War Museum has changed a number of its exhibits after groups of Japanese Canadians and war veterans objected to the displays.
The original exhibits, including the portrayal of the Canadian Air service and the role of Japanese Canadians in the war, sparked controversy from several groups.
The National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) had been campaigning for the removal of a Japanese naval flag for almost a year, claiming that the projection of the flag onto the floor was a breach of flag protocol.
NAJC member Frank Moritsugu, 84, helped campaign for the flag’s removal but he also highlighted other concerns he has about the museum.
“There is no mention at all about any Japanese Canadians who fought for the Allies.”
Other changes the museum has made are the rewriting of an informational article about the Allied bombing campaign against Germany. In addition to the naval flag a British Union Jack flag has also been removed.
A group of war veterans also complained about a different display. The group recently found success with their attempts to have a text panel about the Allied bombing campaign rewritten.
The group contained veterans from the Canadian Air Force who were concerned about how the bombing was being portrayed in the text.
Acting director of the museum, Mark O’Neill said “The new text contains all the old information and adds context to the panel.” With the new panel on its way he added, “it’s my hope and belief that the new text will address the concerns of the veterans while also maintaining historical accuracy.”
The original text questioned the morality of the bombings as well as highlighting the controversy of the campaign.
The new wording, while keeping the original information, includes statistics about the Canadian involvement in the air attacks and mentions the ten thousand Canadian casualties.
The new panel is three times longer than the original text and as well, as providing context, adds verification of the political and public support the bombing received at the time. The panel is being installed in December.
The changes have met mixed reactions from local historians including Carleton University professor Yvonne Aleksandra Bennett.
“While the original article is perfectly accurate it’s good that the new text acknowledges the contribution of the air crews and keeps all the information from the first article,” she says.
However, Bennett also defended the original text.
“Text like that is the distillation of facts done by a professional historian and the facts were correct.”
In reference to the complaints from the NAJC, O’Neill added, “We removed the flag. It was decided that was not the best place for it to be projected.”