Little Temple on the Prairie: A History of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple

During World War II, displaced Japanese Canadians arrived in Manitoba, having lost everything to government-ordered internment and forced exile. Scattered across rural farms, they faced harsh conditions, deep isolation, and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. Yet, despite these struggles, they created something extraordinary: a Buddhist temple that became a pillar of faith, culture, and resilience.

Little Temple on the Prairie traces the remarkable history of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple from its humble beginnings as a refuge for a scattered community to its enduring presence today. Through archival research and intimate oral histories, Megan Kiyoko Wray illuminates the perseverance of the Issei and Nisei who defied loss and discrimination to build a space of belonging-not just for themselves, but for generations to come.

This is more than a story about a temple. It is a testament to survival and solidarity, a reminder that honouring the past is not just about looking back, but about shaping the future. It calls on us to ask: how will you remember?