Robert Banno, Q.C., receives the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division)

Robert Banno, Q.C., receives the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division)

One of the highest honours awarded in our country by the Governor General of Canada

The late Robert Banno, Q.C., the founding President of both Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre and Nikkei Place Foundation, is honoured with the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division). The announcement came on July 1, 2020, by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada. 

This decoration is one of the highest honours awarded in our country by the Governor General of Canada; it celebrates Canadians who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brings honour to Canada. Robert Banno is recognized for his leadership in the creation of Nikkei Place, a landmark cultural institution in Burnaby that unites the Japanese Canadian community. 

Robert identified the land Nikkei Place is situated on and served as the Founding President of Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (NNMCC). He also led the merger of the National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society and the Japanese Canadian National Museum, forming the NNMHC. In 2002, Robert helped to establish the Nikkei Place Foundation to support the fundraising efforts of both the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and the Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society (NSHCHS) and served as the Foundation’s Board President until his death. A fund will be established in Robert Banno’s name to be held at Nikkei Place Foundation.

He learned he would be a recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) just two weeks prior to his untimely passing. At the time he remarked, “It feels really good to be recognized by Canada”.

Remembering Robert Banno

Dear Friends of Nikkei Place, 

The Nikkei Place Foundation is saddened to share the news that our founding Board President, Robert Tadashi Banno, passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2020.  

Robert was a Sansei, born in Tashme Internment Camp on March 9, 1943. He was the first baby to be born at Tashme. He graduated from Kamloops High School and attended the University of British Columbia, majoring in Economics and Political Science. He earned his law degree at the UBC School of Law. Robert began practicing law in 1969 and had a long and distinguished career. He served as a senior partner at DLA Piper (formerly Davis LLP) , with expertise in Canada-Japan business and trade and aboriginal law. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and served as its founding President. He then later founded the Nikkei Place Foundation in 2002 to support both the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and the Nikkei Seniors Health Care & Housing Society and led its fundraising efforts until his death.

As Board President of the Foundation, Robert led with integrity, humility, and with a clarity of vision. Above everything, he was an ethical, thoughtful, and honorable person. He was generous to Nikkei Place both as a philanthropist and with his time as a Board member and volunteer. 

“Robert was a kind and generous person who was incredibly supportive of myself and the staff. I learned a lot about leadership through his mentorship. Robert’s contributions to Nikkei Place are immeasurable. We will miss him.” 

— Naomi Kawamura, Executive Director

The Nikkei Place Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff offer our deepest condolences to his wife Cathy Makihara, his son Kevin, his granddaughter, his brothers Victor & Dale, his extended family, and to his many friends. Please keep them in your thoughts at this time.

If you would like to share some of your memories, stories, photographs, or condolences with the family, the Foundation has created an online memorial site to honour Robert Banno’s life and work at https://www.nikkeiplacefoundation.org/banno/.