David Mitsui

Steering Committee Vice-chair

National Association of Japanese Canadians representative

David Mitsui retired from the University of Alberta in 2014, after a 31-year career in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, as the instructor and supervisor of the Professional Practicum Program.   In his capacity as an academic and his professional connection to the field of practice, he served as President of both the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association.

David was born a sansei in Hamilton, Ontario, whose parents and their families were interned during WWII.  (Mitsui family in Greenwood and Kawamura family in New Denver)

David’s grandfather, Sgt. Masumi Mitsui MM, fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in WWI, was decorated for bravery during the Battle of Hill 70,  was President of Royal Canadian Legion Local Branch #9 , was a political activist to obtain the right for the Japanese Canadian veterans of WWI to vote in BC in 1931, and was uprooted, dispossessed of property, interned, and relocated to Hamilton after WWII.

Since 2012, David has been a member of the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee, which plans the annual Remembrance Day Service at the cenotaph in Stanley Park, Vancouver.

David served on the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Japanese Community Association and was President from 2013-2016.  He was elected President of the National Association of Japanese Canadians in 2016 for a 2-year term.