BEYOND BARBED WIRE
Acknowledgments
Heart Mountain: Retracing the "Heartlines" of History
Thank you to my oral storytellers. Your contributions made it possible for me to tell the story of three women who developed close friendships during a time of racial injustice. Despite differences in culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds, they found comfort in each other's company.
Terry Yuriko Higa-Yamamoto
Terry passed away in 1996, but her beautiful spirit still exists in everyone she touched. I was able to capture that spirit and her story through her families stories and my mother's stories. My hope is that Terry's story of courage will inspire other families to search for the truth.
Bobbie Lue Meigh-McGuill
Mom, you are one of the greatest storytellers I've ever met. For this project, I relied heavily on your talent for storytelling and your amazing ability to remember names, dates, and information crucial to my research. This started as a gift to you, but turned into one of the greatest gifts you've given me. I love you and thank you for sharing your story.
Alan & Karen Yamamoto
Alan, our first few talks were emotional, but you graciously filled in important missing puzzle pieces about your mother, father, and their families. You contributed so many beautiful photos to my portfolio. I am grateful for your kindness and generosity and most of all for trusting me to tell your mother's story.
Karen, in our first conversation I believe your motherly instincts led you to ask me if Terry travelled alone to the ranch. Your brilliant questions about her secret train travel made me dig deeper and investigate further into how this young girl was released from Heart Mountain without the knowledge of the War Relocation Authority. Thank you for keeping me on my toes!
Amy Higa-Sayama
Amy, you are fearless! You were my first point of contact and I thank you for taking a chance on a perfect stranger. I am so grateful for the information you shared with me about your culture, family, and about the internment. Every documentary or book you recommended helped me with my research. We've spent hours on the phone talking about social justice issues, family, and spirituality. I found a kindred spirit in you.
Bernard Dean Kells
Bernard Dean Kells, you're no longer with us, but the experiences you shared with your daughter-in-law Michelle Hall Kells about growing up in Powell, Wyoming gave her the professional authority to help me with this project. It's extraordinary that I ended up in a class with a professor whose family member had a connection to the people interned at Heart Mountain. The stories Dr. Hall Kells tells of your deep sympathy for the Japanese Americans and their situation is truly moving. How I would have loved to meet you and be a part of those conversations.
Dr. Michelle Hall Kells
Dr. Kells, Without your support and encouragement this project would not have come to fruition. Thank you for giving me the courage to bring my family's "shadow," story out into the open and for seeing my potential as a biographer. This story remained buried for 80 years and you helped me see how important and relevant it is today.