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In Search of a Soul

All countries through the trials of growth have incidents they wish with hindsight and knowledge had not occurred. Among the regrets in Canadian history was the internment of Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War. What was it like for those who paid for the fear of the masses? Moreover how can redress happen.

Bitterness serves little purpose. In Search of a Soul is the story of the creation and design of Canada's War Museum in Ottawa. It is far much more than merely the nuts and bolts of an architect's dream. It is the story of redemption for a country, and someone it unwittingly hurt, doing something horrific that at the time seemed genuine despite doubts and the Canadian belief system.

This is the poignant story of architect Raymond Moriyama's design for the Canadian War Museum. Interred and bewildered the young boy loses or perhaps finds himself building a tree house leading to his career. What a fitting end to a sad chapter to ask Moriyama to design an important building housing a profound portion of Canadian history. As all school children have long been taught in the Canadian public schools it was on Vimy Ridge in France that Canada became a country when all provinces current and future fought under Canadian command. War brought us together, defined us and perhaps in the historical aspects, thanks to the vision of Raymond Moriyama, we will remember the past suffering, both on the fields of war and those who suffered the fear of those left behind.