Meet the Minidoka Site Interns

Each year, through the Northwest Youth Corps, Minidoka National Historic Site welcomes two new interpretation and education interns who spend their summer providing tours, running the Minidoka NHS visitor center, and learning more about Japanese American incarceration during World War II at Minidoka. While these internships are designed for the duration of a summer, many of Minidoka NHS’s interns continue their careers and studies on Japanese American incarceration. Kurt Ikeda, the current Director of Interpretation and Community Engagement at Minidoka NHS and Emily Teraoka, the former Lead Ranger at Minidoka NHS (now at Manzanar NHS) both began their careers as interns at Minidoka NHS, speaking to the learning, growth, and transformation that takes place.

Rindy Sutherland

Hi! My name is Rindy Sutherland.

I am local to the Twin Falls area and am now a Northwest Youth Corps intern working for the Interpretation & Education and Facilities programs here at Minidoka National Historic Site. 

My first time visiting the Minidoka site was on a school field trip during 7th grade. My teachers did a good job explaining what they could, but there was a lot I couldn’t understand yet in 7th grade. Learning more now has been a special experience, especially since I am able to share what I learn with others. I am so glad to have this opportunity. I am planning to be a teacher in the future and hope to further preserve and share this history. 

I have my Associate's in Education from the College of Southern Idaho and will be moving on to my Bachelor's this fall. I have enjoyed my degree so far and hope to grow in knowledge and ability to help future students. While in college, I loved participating in clubs; such as an outdoor club and a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club; and hobbies like crocheting, reading, and playing games. Because of these activities, I have come to value community more than ever.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am the 7th of 9 kids, I have the coolest little brother in the world and I live with my sister to help nanny her two kids. I love playing card games and watching videos.
I am excited to work here at Minidoka National Historic Site and meet as many people as possible. I'm grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to a great summer!

Mariko Tanada

Hi everyone, my name is Mariko Tanada! 

I am finishing up my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science at Beloit College in Wisconsin. 

I grew up in the Portland, Oregon area and I am a yonsei (or fourth-generation) Japanese American. Growing up in the Japanese community, I went to a Japanese Language Immersion school which helped facilitate my interest in my heritage. This summer, I am working as a NW Youth Corps Interpretation and Education Intern at the Minidoka National Historic Site.

As a descendant of Minidoka survivors, I feel honored to have this opportunity to preserve the history of my ancestors and I am so grateful to those before me who have created the Historic Site into what it is today. 

In the short amount of time I have been in this internship, I’ve had a growing sense of pride in myself and my supervisors for helping me learn more about this site, and about my family’s history. One of my favorite things we have done this far into my internship is work on our tours. I’ve really enjoyed all the books, research and videos that have helped me shape my tour, and have helped me become more educated.

When I am not working, I like to decompress by reading, going on hikes, or re-watching sitcoms that I have seen all the way through probably too many times. Being in Idaho for the first time has been quite an adjustment but I have really been enjoying the hiking and new scenery, and I plan on hiking a new spot in the area each weekend. If you are wanting a new book to read, I recommend to everyone that they should read the Kurt Wallander Swedish Crime novel series!!