More than 68 years ago, during World War II, almost 13,000 people of Japanese ancestry, many of whom were American citizens, were uprooted from their homes in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and sent to an internment camp near Twin Falls, Ida.
To commemorate this event, former internees, their families, friends, and those interested in this historic event will make a pilgrimage from Seattle and Portland to the former Minidoka Internment Camp from June 24–27.
Today, most of the 33,000 acres that once made up Minidoka has been taken over by farms. However, in 2001, 73 acres along the North Side Canal, near the entrance, was designated a National Historical Monument.
In Twin Falls, participants will have two chances to visit the grounds of the Minidoka National Historical Site. There will be guided tours of what remains of the former site as well as a memorial service that will be held at the site to honor internees and those who left Minidoka and were killed while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In addition to the pilgrimage, a two-day symposium on “Civil Liberties in Wartime” at the College of Southern Idaho will take place prior to the pilgrimage.
In order to avoid a $20 late registration fee, registration is due by June 4. ♦
To register and for more information, visit minidokapilgrimage.org.