Remembering a Dark Chapter in U.S. History
On Sept. 12, forty people from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California journeyed to the Tule Lake National Monument. The site once held 18,700 Japanese Americans during World War II, the largest of ten government-run camps. Most of those incarcerated were U.S. citizens who lost their homes and freedom without due process after the Pearl Harbor attack.
Witnessing Remnants of the Camp
Led by docents and park rangers, participants viewed the camp’s remains, including its jail, latrines, and reconstructed barracks. Stories of hardship and quiet resistance, such as protests and delayed construction, brought the history into sharper focus. Organizers said the visit deepened awareness of how fear and prejudice shaped policies that devastated families. Survivors’ accounts emphasized the emotional toll of confinement and the resilience shown through community life and faith practices.
A Service of Lament and Reflection
The Very Rev. Cliff Haggenjos helped lead a service of lament. Attendees read aloud the names of 332 people who died at Tule Lake. The Rev. John Kitagawa joined the remembrance, noting his father had been incarcerated there while serving a Japanese American congregation. For many, including diocesan leaders, the act of remembrance carried deep personal weight and highlighted parallels to present-day injustices.
Impact on Pilgrims Young and Old
Students and clergy alike spoke of being moved by the visit. University of California, Davis student Madeleine Canavese said hearing individual stories would help her and her peers confront modern discrimination. The Rev. Aidan Rontani admitted he had been only vaguely aware of Tule Lake’s location within his diocese. Still, he left with a renewed sense of urgency about resisting fear-driven prejudice. Several pilgrims shared that the site’s isolation underscored how quickly liberties can be lost in times of fear.
Broader Efforts Toward Reconciliation
The pilgrimage aligns with the diocese’s ongoing efforts in racial reconciliation. Recent initiatives included a racial justice audit and workshops about Tule Lake’s history. Leaders emphasized that such pilgrimages aim not only to honor the past but also to challenge systemic bias today. The survivors’ decades-long fight for acknowledgment led to the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided an official apology and financial compensation. The Episcopal Commission on Intercultural Ministries views such efforts as part of a broader commitment to faith-rooted justice.
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Northern California Episcopalians’ pilgrimage commemorates those held in WWII camps
Photo by Edoardo Frezet on Unsplash
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