Forum: Hidden Histories: The Japanese Experience & Minidoka

City Club of Boise is pleased to present an in-person lunchtime forum on July 8, 2022: Hidden Histories: The Japanese Experience in Idaho.

This program, to be held at the Idaho State Museum, will describe the experiences Japanese Americans faced in Idaho, including the Minidoka site, Executive Order 9066, and current Minidoka National Historic Site, visitor’s center, and Friends of Minidoka. We will learn from Karen Hirai Olen, survivor of the site, who will share her recollection of experiences as a young girl. Izzy Martin, a local student, will perform 3 musical pieces to round out the program. 

Speakers:

Kurt Ikeda

Director of Interpretation and Education, Minidoka National Historic Site

Robyn Achilles

Executive Director, Friends of Minidoka

Karen Hirai Olen

Minidoka survivor

Izzy Martin

One Stone Student and musician, accompanied by:

Jun Campion, Tommy Duff, Zion Martin, Jasmine Smith, and Marley Stambulis

When: Friday, July 8, 2022 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 pm

Where: Idaho State Museum, 610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702

Idaho Room

About the Panel:

Kurt Ikeda is Director of Interpretation and Education, Minidoka National Historic Site.
 

Robyn Achilles is Executive Director, Friends of Minidoka.

Karen Hirai Olen was born in the Minidoka Relocation Camp.

Izzy Martin is a student and musician, currently producing a musical centered around Minidoka, an American Concentration camp here in Idaho, operated to imprison Japanese Americans during WWII. Martin's songs are inspired by Minidoka survivors and their experiences, in an effort to shine the spotlight on this hidden part of history.

Speakers: Robyn Achilles, Kurt Ikeda, Izzy Martin, Karen Hirai Olen.

Forum Chair: Liz Fitzgerald

Forum Moderator: Todd Dvorak

NOTE: Registration for lunch closes July 6, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. MST. Registration without lunch closes July 7, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. MST. Walk-up tickets without lunch will be available on a first-come basis at the door. 

City Club thanks our Premier Sponsor, Northwest Nazarene University and the NNU School of Business and our Annual sponsor, University of Idaho. The 2022 Forum Series is sponsored by AARP of Idaho, Bank of Idaho, Echelon Group, Idaho Humanities Council, Optum, PacificSource Health Plans, and Small Mine Development. We are pleased to welcome university students to attend our events thanks to our University partners Boise State University, Northwest Nazarene University, and University of Idaho. Our media partners include Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television, and the Idaho Statesman.

If you have any questions, call 208-364-4614 and staff can assist you.