While the United States fought a global battle against fascism during World War II, a parallel story of exclusion and confinement was unfolding within its own borders. In Arizona, this history took a unique and often overlooked form: the construction of militarized internment camps on sovereign tribal lands.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, KJZZ hosted a landmark panel discussion at the Chandler Museum to explore these “entwined histories.” Moderated by KJZZ tribal natural resources reporter Gabriel Pietrorazio, the event brought together survivors, tribal leaders, and scholars to reflect on a dark chapter of state history that saw over 31,000 Japanese Americans held captive in Arizona without due process.
The Intersections of Injustice
The discussion centered on the two largest camps in Arizona: Poston, located on the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) reservation, and Gila River, situated on the Gila River Indian Community. At their peak, these sites were the third- and fourth-largest “cities” in Arizona.
Panelists highlighted how the federal government leveraged tribal land for these camps, often without meaningful tribal consent. Amelia Flores, Chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, noted that the history of internment has become a permanent part of the tribal narrative. “We know kind of what they went through,” she shared, drawing parallels between the experiences of displaced Indigenous peoples and the incarcerated Japanese Americans.
A Call for Vigilance
Survivor Richard Matsuishi, 88, who was imprisoned at Poston as a young boy, issued a powerful warning to the audience. He attributed the camps to “racial prejudice, war hysteria, and lack of political leadership,” urging modern Americans to ensure the Constitution is never bypassed again.
The event coincided with two poignant exhibits currently on display at the museum:
Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River
Echoes Unearthed
Watch the Full Conversation
As our nation reflects on its past, these oral histories provide essential context for understanding the long-term impacts of racialized public policy.
Click here to watch the full panel discussion on YouTube and hear the stories of those who lived through this chapter of Arizona’s history.
This video provides the full recorded conversation and highlights from the Chandler Museum event, offering a deep dive into the historical and cultural significance of internment on tribal lands.