Behind the Scenes at Bakau

A lot goes on at this small company and sometimes we’re so busy strategizing for change that we forget to introduce ourselves! In this series, we invite you to meet our amazing team and learn about what drives them in their passion for justice.

About Koshiki Tanaka

Director of Policy & Research

Koshiki was born in Japan and spent part of her childhood there until moving to Ireland at the age of 11. She relocated to Vancouver in 2014 where she has been living and working with gratitude on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. She has her Bachelor's Degree in Human Rights and LL.M in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict from the National University of Ireland, Galway. With a deep passion for peacebuilding, Koshiki is currently getting her certificates in Mediation and Negotiation from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

Koshiki spent a year abroad in Spain (BEST YEAR OF HER LIFE) during University, interning at the European and Criminal Law Institute conducting research on the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Don’t get her started about Spain - she’ll never stop talking about it!

Being a mixed-race woman who’s lived in Japan, Ireland, Spain and Canada, Koshiki brings a vast number of lived experiences and unique perspectives to her work. She has volunteered with Amnesty International, The David Suzuki Foundation, and was a Board Member of the Vancouver Association of Restorative Justice.

When not talking about human rights, you can find her exploring different creative ventures – painting, writing, and mind mapping documentary and podcast ideas… just to name a few! 

Koshiki loves:

• Her dog Gus

• Jalapeños or anything spicy! 

• Connecting with change-makers 

• Strolling along the beaches on the West Coast of Ireland

5 Big Questions

WHO, WHAT OR WHERE IS HOME FOR YOU?

I’ve moved around a lot so I think I have little pieces of home in those places. I would say Ireland feels the most like home as I spent my early teens to early twenties there and my mum and friends are still there. I was born in Japan and lived there until I was 11 so that also feels like home but in a slightly different, more nostalgic way!

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO LAND AND WATER?

I love the water. I’ve always lived by the sea (though I didn’t always appreciate that at the time) and have come to realize that I really need to be by the water. For land, I’ve been trying to cultivate green spaces in my home whether that’s growing veggies on my balcony or constantly propagating my plants! I think there is something so special about enjoying a cherry tomato you grew on your balcony!

WHAT IS A PIECE OF ART, LITERATURE, FILM, OR MUSIC THAT CHANGED YOU IN SOME WAY?

It’s hard to pick as I think there have been so many that have changed my life. Not necessarily one thing but the increased Asian representation in film is one that has had an impact on me. It’s so wonderful to see films like “Always Be My Maybe”, “Seeing Red” and “Shang-Chi” being created by big studios. Recognizing that this film is not without issue (the ableist title, reinforcing stereotypes, celebrating capitalism and Akwafina’s blaccent), “Crazy Rich Asians” being the first major Hollywood film to have an all Asian cast in 25 years is something to be inspired by. The use of Coldplay’s song “Yellow” also had a huge impact on me. If you don’t know the backstory behind the director Jon M. Chu’s letter to Coldplay, I suggest reading it. I resonated so much with what Jon Chu wrote, so that song being used in the film was really impactful. Since the rise in anti-Asian hate, I am always looking for more Asian celebration and joy. I was recommended “Do Nothing” by Celeste Headlee by the wonderful Becca (our CPO and an all round amazing human). I struggle a lot with internalized perfectionism and grind culture and this book has really helped me try to shift from that mindset. A hot tip also from Becca - I was struggling with reading books and she recommended audiobooks through Libby. If you have a library card, you can also rent audio books for free!

WHAT DOES A POST-LIBERATION WORLD LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

For me, I think of freedom, intention, joy, creativity, transformation and collaboration. It’s beyond systems of oppression where our full human selves are centred.

TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT OR PROJECT AT BAKAU THAT FELT INSPIRING OR EXCITING

Taking on the role of Director of Policy and Research has been exciting. Policy and data doesn’t have to be boring. Working with amazing folks on the team to reimagine what policy and data gathered from an intersectional and equitable lens could mean is something that inspires me.