Gann Matsuda (left) was honored for his work on the Manzanar National Historic Site Advisory Commission in 2013. At right is Manzanar Superintendent Les Inafuku.
Gann Matsuda, a beloved community leader, passionate educator, and dedicated journalist, passed away on Oct. 12, 2024 at the age of 61. His tireless work in preserving Japanese American history, particularly through the Manzanar Committee, as well as his dedication to student activism and his love for Los Angeles Kings hockey, left a lasting impact on countless individuals and organizations.
Born on Feb. 27, 1963 and raised in Culver City, Gann’s journey in community involvement began during his time at UCLA, where he was a founding member of the UCLA Nikkei Student Union (NSU) in 1981. His leadership and vision helped to foster solidarity among young Japanese American students by encouraging them to connect with their heritage and advocate for social justice.
During his tenure in NSU, he guided the group into supporting redress and reparations for Japanese Americans incarcerated at concentration camps during World War II and was a leader in the campus and community struggle to attain tenure for Professor Don Nakanishi at UCLA. His deep commitment to activism became the foundation of his life’s work.
Long-time friend and fellow Manzanar Committee member Glen Kitayama remembered, “I met Gann in 1988 when I entered UCLA as a graduate student. Gann had already co-founded NSU and formed it into an active political force on campus. In the mid-1980s, he helped to educate the group about the World War II American concentration camps and organized the group’s support for the Japanese American redress movement.
“Through this political education, he and a number of other leaders in NSU like Mary Katayama and Lianne Urada understood the connection between the racism Japanese Americans faced in 1942 and connected it with the institutional racism Professor Don Nakanishi experienced when he was denied tenure at UCLA. The student leaders in UCLA applied lessons from the redress movement by contextualizing a local campus issue into a larger community-wide struggle for civil rights against institutional racism.”
Gann’s contributions to the Manzanar Committee and the Manzanar National Historic Site were monumental. As a long-time member and leader, he played a crucial role in organizing the annual Manzanar Pilgrimage, an event that brought together generations to honor people of Japanese ancestry unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Because of his work, Gann was selected to be on the Manzanar Advisory Commission, which guided the development of the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Even though Gann’s family was not incarcerated in the camps, his commitment to justice ensured that the stories of those who lived through that dark chapter in American history would never be forgotten.
According to Manzanar Committee Co-Chair Bruce Embrey, “Gann played a key role in keeping the committee going after my mother, Sue Kunitomi Embrey, passed in 2006. He was instrumental in the creation of the Manzanar National Historic Site from the beginning. He also spearheaded our involvement in the fight with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) over their proposed solar ranch adjacent to Manzanar and managed to document all of our work with hundreds of photos along the way.
“Gann has anchored several major aspects of our work including our press, website and social media for nearly 20 years. Our media presence projected our little committee nationally. Thanks to Gann, we received significant attention from academics, civil rights groups, and others because of his work.”
After many years of organizing in the Manzanar Committee, Gann understood the need to educate younger generations about the incarceration and how it related to contemporary struggles for human rights. Through his connections with the National Park Service (NPS), Gann collaborated with them to form Katari, a grassroots organization devoted to educating and promoting dialogue with college-aged students around the Japanese American experience.
His writing and leadership work helped to raise critical awareness of civil liberties and justice. He was a powerful advocate who used his voice to connect the lessons of the past with contemporary struggles for human rights.
Professor Wendy Yamashita, the current chair of Katari, remembered, “Gann was a mentor to many college students. He was incredibly generous with his time, always willing to share his knowledge, and constantly expressed his love for the community. His care for the next generation was unmatched. Katari: Keeping Japanese American Stories Alive is a testament to that.
“On a personal level, Gann changed my life as a graduate student when he invited me to become part of the Manzanar Committee. I found a sense of belonging and comfort that I didn’t know I needed. His work and care are deeply intertwined with the work I do as a scholar, community activist, and educator. I will miss him dearly.”
Rose Master, former ranger at Manzanar National Historic Site shared, “Gann was one of the most passionate advocates for making sure the stories of the incarceration were not forgotten, and was especially dedicated to sharing this history with younger generations. A few weeks after pilgrimage one year, we met up for lunch in L.A. and accidentally came up with the idea that would grow into Katari.
“Gann poured so much of his passion into this program, ensuring the students who attended came away with a deep understanding of the importance of not only learning but also sharing this history, and applying its lessons to today’s world. Through our work together, Gann also became a good friend. I’m so grateful for his friendship and mentorship, and will miss him deeply.”
Embrey commented on Gann’s dedication to students: “Along with Jim To, Gann resurrected the Manzanar After Dark (MAD) evening program that was started by Manzanar Committee members Jenni Kuida and Ayako Hagihara. Now known as Manzanar At Dusk, the MAD program regularly draws hundreds of college students from Nikkei Student Union groups around California to engage with older activists, community members, and former incarcerees.
“In many ways, Gann’s activism had come full circle since he personally understood from his own experience in NSU the power that students had in changing society.”
Following the 2024 Manzanar Pilgrimage and MAD program, organizers updated Matsuda about the success of the program since he was unable to attend this past year. One Katari student, Maiya Kuida-Osumi, the daughter of long-time activists Tony Osumi and Jenni Kuida, was particularly inspired by Manzanar Committee member Pat Sakamoto.
After Sakamoto’s testimony, Kuida-Osumi emphatically told her parents, “When all of the camp survivors pass away, it’s going to be our responsibility to carry on their stories!” Upon hearing this, Matsuda choked up and commented, “That’s what it’s all about.”
Gann’s passion extended beyond activism — he was also a lifelong hockey enthusiast. As a devoted fan and writer covering the Los Angeles Kings, Gann brought a unique, analytical perspective to the game. Through his blog and fan engagement, he connected deeply with fellow hockey lovers, contributing to the vibrant Kings fan community and becoming a well-respected voice in Los Angeles sports circles.
One of his proudest moments came when he was honored to become part of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in 2009. Helene Elliott, the Hall of Fame hockey writer for The Los Angeles Times, presented him with his credentials and welcomed him to the club in the L.A. Kings press box.
Gann will be remembered for building bridges with people across generations, backgrounds, and interests. His dedication to the Japanese American community touched the lives of many, leaving behind a legacy of activism, education, and love for community.
He is survived by his parents Morley and Sue Matsuda, close friends, and countless individuals whose lives he enriched through his work. His contributions will continue to resonate, ensuring that the stories he fought to preserve — and the passions he championed — will endure for future generations.
A celebration of life gathering to remember Gann Matsuda is in the planning stages and will be held at a later date.