AIISF Newsletter / November 2022
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
All of us at AIISF are taking a moment to catch our breath after an incredibly busy month.
On October 1, we partnered with the Nichi Bei Foundation to bring almost 300 visitors to the site for the Nikkei Pilgrimage. We also collaborated with the National Japanese American Historical Society, Japanese Peruvian Oral History Project, Italian American Studies Association / Western Regional Chapter, and German American Internee Coalition on hosting the Enemy Alien Files exhibit, which will be on display in the Angel Island Immigration Museum until the end of this month.
On October 7, I had the opportunity to present a panel at the Western Museums Association conference with Joël Barraquiel Tan (Wing Luke Museum), Jennifer Fang (Pittock Museum), and Noelle Kahanu (University of Hawaii). Our panel focused on ensuring that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities were included in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the museum sector.
On October 19, I attended a face-to-face meeting of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience's Migration Museums Network. Other US-based sites in attendance at this meeting included the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island and the National Arab American Museum. On October 20-21, I participated in the Sharing Museums symposium hosted by the Musée national de l'histoire de l'immigration.
On October 22, AIISF hosted Skyler Chin, Sita Sunil, and Catherine Gloria for a staged reading of Illegal: A New Musical. We definitely saw a lot of foot-tapping and head-bobbing happening in the audience, and we look forward to the continued partnership.
L-R: Catherine Gloria, Skyler Chin, Sita Sunil, performing selections from "Illegal: A New Musical"
Earlier this month, I attended the Council of Jewish American Museum’s conference and had the opportunity to participate in a keynote panel about confronting racism and bigotry as well as to co-moderate a keynote panel on truth, healing, and reconciling.
On November 5, we hosted nearly 150 visitors as part of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity's Angel Island Pilgrimage.
AIISF Program Manager Danielle giving a tour for the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity Pilgrimage on November 5.
November is National Native American Heritage Month. We encourage you to watch this video from UC Berkeley’s Future Histories Lab with Greg Sarris, Tribal Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the descendants of the Coast Miwok.
Finally, we are starting to ramp up for our end-of-year giving campaign, which will kick off on Giving Tuesday (November 29). This is one of our primary donor appeals each year, and your support will help us ensure that we start off 2023 (our 4oth annivesary!) with strong momentum. Please keep AIISF in mind has you consider the nonprofits you will be supporting this giving season.
With deep thanks for your continued generosity, support, and engagement!
Edward Tepporn
Executive Director
The Enemy Alien Files: Hidden Stories of World War II, a limited-run exhibit from the National Japanese American Historical Society, will be closing on Wednesday, November 30.
The exhibit examines the “enemy alien” experience of forced removal, internment, hostage exchange, and post-war forced separation that impacted families and communities across two continents through stunning photographs, oral histories, and narratives.
"The Enemy Alien Files" is on display at the Angel Island Immigration Museum (AIIM). Click here to learn more!
Three easy ways to support AIISF on Giving Tuesday and during our end-of-year fundraising campaign!
We have been very lucky and grateful for your steadfast support of AIISF. During this holiday season, AIISF joins many other nonprofits in seeking to raise funds for the coming year. Here are a few ways you can help:
Donate to our Facebook fundraiser
This year. we have earmarked funds from our Giving Tuesday campaign to support the costs of building a new "app" that will help visitors find and translate the poems inscribed in the former detention barracks.
Click here to donate to this project.
Host a Facebook fundraiser for AIISF
In addition to considering a personal contribution to our Giving Tuesday campaign, would you consider helping us spread the word about AIISF by hosting your own Facebook fundraiser?
Click here to learn how to host your own Facebook fundraiser.
Make a general donation
We have an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 for our end-of-year campaign. We have some exciting programs, exhibits, and events planned for our 40th anniversary, but we need your support to help make them all happen.
Click here to donate.
Save-The-Date: December 17, Free Admission Day!
We are excited to share that AIISF is sponsoring a Free Admission Day to the Detention Barracks Museum. The first 200 visitors will receive complimentary admission to the museum. Note that this does not include the cost of ferry tickets, shuttle service, or other costs.
AIISF staff will also be giving out free hot chocolate inside the former hospital building - now called the Angel Island Immigration Museum (which is always free to the public).
Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
Please note that the buildings at the Angel Island Immigration Station will be closed on Wednesday, November 23, and Thursday, November 24, so that park staff can celebrate the holiday with their friends and loved ones.
The buildings will re-open on Friday, November 25.
Wishing you and yours a delicious and thankful holiday!
The only ferry route connecting San Francisco to Angel Island will continue on a long-term basis under the management of Golden Gate Ferry following a board vote. The Blue and Gold Fleet decided to end operations of its ferry route because of financial losses.
AIISF Executive Director Ed Tepporn is quoted in the article: "We truly appreciate that the Golden Gate Bridge district has decided to permanently adopt ferry service to Angel Island. While visits to Angel Island State Park have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, more and more people are venturing outdoors again. The park remains an invaluable Bay Area destination where locals and tourists can access scenic natural resources and visit the former U.S. immigration station, a natural, historic landmark."
Ferry service to Angel Island is available at Tiburon through the privately-operated Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Co. Both the Golden Gate Ferry and the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry have made adjustments to their schedules for the Winter.
To read the full article, click here.