Broken Promises Exhibition

A Travelling Exhibition at the Courtenay & District Museum

Step into a powerful story of resilience and remembrance with Broken Promises, a nationally touring exhibition hosted at the Courtenay & District Museum from February 21 to August 16, 2025. Presented in partnership with the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and rooted in the acclaimed Landscapes of Injustice research project, this thought-provoking exhibit sheds light on the forced displacement, dispossession, and internment of Japanese Canadians during and after the Second World War. Through personal narratives—including voices from right here in the Comox Valley—archival materials, and interactive displays, Broken Promises explores how lives were uprooted, homes lost, and communities fractured, revealing a vital chapter of Canada’s past that still resonates today.

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Dates & Venue

Dates: Friday, February 21 – Saturday, August 16, 2025
Location: Upstairs Changing Exhibition Gallery, Courtenay & District Museum and Palaeontology Centre, 207 Fourth Street, Courtenay, BC

Exhibition Highlights

Narratives of Dispossession

• Follows seven narrators whose lives were upended by forced relocation, including community elders and wartime administrators.
• Combines archival photographs (such as Jack Lindsay’s 1940s storefront image) with personal artefacts and oral histories.

Research Foundation

• Built on the Landscapes of Injustice project, this exhibit uncovers government documents, court cases, and personal testimonies to contextualize the 22,000 removals from coastal BC.
• A bilingual exhibit catalogue is available for free download, co‑produced by Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and the Royal BC Museum.

Digital & Interactive Resources

• Self‑guided tour app: Download the free Broken Promises app for iOS and Android to explore exhibits at your own pace.
• JOURNEYS Digital Resource: Teachers and lifelong learners can access primary sources, lesson plans, and interactive maps online.

Educational & Community Programs

• School Visits: Welcome at regular admission rates—arrange your class tour by calling 250‑334‑0686 ext 2 or emailing the museum.
• Public Lectures: Complementing the exhibit, lectures such as Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution delve deeper into related topics.

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Partners & Sponsors

This exhibit is made possible through collaboration with:
• Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (Burnaby, BC)
• Landscapes of Injustice Partner Institutions and financial support from the Government of Canada

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Admission & Visitor Information

Admission: Included with general museum entry (donation suggested).
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
Accessibility: The upstairs gallery is accessible via elevator; contact us for any special accommodations.

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Plan Your Visit

• Directions & Parking: Ample free parking is available behind the museum. There are maps and transit options on Courtenay & District Museum and Palaeontology Centre official website.
• Contact: 207 Fourth Street, Courtenay, BC V9N 1G7 | (250) 334‑0686 | info@courtenaymuseum.ca

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Experience Broken Promises to honour resilience, confront difficult histories, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward justice in Canada’s past and present.

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