As part of their Social Studies and English classes at Lucerne Secondary School, students created 10 short films under the guidance of their teachers Terry Taylor and Gary Parkstrom and filmmakers Moira Simpson and Catrina Megumi Longmuir over the course of just a few days.
The students had been learning about their local history in New Denver of the Japanese Canadian Internment during WWII. Many were shocked that something like this could happen in Canada. Through visits to the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, interviews with Japanese Canadian elders who still reside in New Denver, and research, they made a total of 10 short films. These were shared & showcased at a community screening at the Bosun Hall in New Denver to honour the history and the elders in the community.
This film provides an intimate behind the scenes look into the students’ journey of digging deep into the history of their community, providing context for their short films. It includes interviews with the youth reflecting on their learning, the process of making a film & uncovering more through this process, and the rewards and outcomes of their work.
Telling the Stories of the Nikkei - New Denver 
Wow! Great to see the project finally live and online! Thanks for all your hard work, Catrina and Mo! Looks fabulous!
Thanks also to our Lucerne School student filmmakers and the Japanese Canadian elders in New Denver, BC.
This is such a wonderful exemplar for anyone intrigued by place-based learning and what it can bring to students & schools & communities. All of you, including teachers, film makers, interviewees, community members, and of course the amzing Lucerne students, can take great pride in your efforts.