The city of Greenwood was a godsend for the Nikkei families that stayed [in Greenwood]. They were able to work, raise a family, go to church and children attend school. So much is owed to the city of Greenwood for their acceptance of the Nikkei people.
(Tasaka, 2014)
Of the estimated 1,200 Nikkei who were interned in Greenwood, many chose to remain there after its closure as an internment site in 1945, possibly because they felt welcome here. Over time the Nikkei had become accepted by the residents and integrated into the community. When the federal government ordered the Japanese in 1944 to either move east of the Rockies or be deported to Japan, the Greenwood Board of Trade sent a letter of protest against this decision.
Many Nikkei appreciated their experience in Greenwood as reflected in letters from two women who moved east, Terry Takeuchi and Tsumo Matsuzaki. While in Greenwood, Mrs. Matsuzaki was an instructor at the Academy of Domestic Arts (front row, 4th from the left). Her letter written in Japanese is summarized as follows: A personal letter thanking Mr. McArthur for making it a happy place during the incarceration. Mrs. Matsuzaki states that Hamilton is completely different to Greenwood, especially in commodity prices. People are not familiar with Japanese Canadians, but she has good relationship with the landlord. Her daughter Miyoko became the first Nikkei teacher in a public school and church. Mrs. Matsuzaki also wrote that there are many unemployed people in Hamilton. Mrs. Matsuzaki closes her letter saying that she was so happy when she lived in Greenwood.
Although most of the Nikkei eventually left the city, some remained and
rest in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Today it is estimated that between 20 and 30 residents of Japanese descent live in the smallest city in Canada.
References
Tasaka, C. (2014). My hometown my furusato.
Tasaka, C. (2016). Greenwood, B.C.: The first internment center.