< Back Brian Julien - Godan (5th Dan) Director Sensei Brian began karate around 1988 at the Grimsby Beach Wado Kai Karate Club under Sensei Brian Chmay and Sensei Brad Cosby. He was graded to his Shodan in September 1997, a few weeks after his 16th birthday at Confederation High School in Welland, Ontario. While attending university in Ottawa, Sensei Brian had the opportunity to train with various instructors from a variety of different karate styles. In 2009, Sensei Brian moved to Timmins, Ontario, where he trained with Sensei Willie LeBrun. Throughout this time, Sensei Brian would take every opportunity to train with Sensei Brian and Sensei Brad whenever his travels brought him back to the Niagara Region. Beginning in 2015, Sensei Brian began training with Sensei Melanie Camirand and together they currently run P.O.P. Wado Kai in Timmins, Ontario. Sensei Brian was graded to his Godan in both the SWKKF and the World Traditional Karate Association in the fall of 2021. Throughout the years, Sensei Brian has been on various committees within the organization, including the Scholarship Committee, Fundraising and Grants Committee, and the Standards and Ethics Committee. He has also been Regional Representative for North Eastern Ontario for approximately 10 years. Sensei Brian is a lawyer and continues to live in Timmins with his wife, Julie, and their 4 children, all of whom are members of the SWKKF. bjulien@shintani.ca +1 (705) 262-2802

SWKKF Club Startup Initiative Thinking of starting a karate dojo? That may be a tough initiative. But the venture is worth it. It could be one of the most rewarding experiences of your karate life. Check with the SWKKF how it can help you and what assistance it offers. Download the form and application to get started. The SWKKF offers a one‐time initiative startup for those who require financial assistance. The following is the eligibility criteria for the program: Must be of the rank of Shodan or up, or under the direction of a Dan ranking sponsor. Must be registered within the SWKKF for a minimum of 3 consecutive years. Must have the recommendation of their Sensei. Must be a new dojo (not an existing dojo or a dojo rename or move). Limited to a one lifetime subscription. Limited to a maximum of $1000. Download Application

KARATE CANADA / WORLD KARATE FEDERATION DAN CERTIFICATE REQUEST The Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (SWKKF) is a Karate Canada recognized association. Based on Karate Canada requirements, a Karate Canada Dan Certificate must be received before a World Karate Federation certificate can be requested. The Karate Canada Dan Certificate request process is as follows: Interested members must be a member in good standing with the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation Interested members must be a member in good standing with the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). The requirements for certificates from 1st Dan to 5th Dan are: 1st Dan – member of the PSO for at least 1 year. 2nd Dan – member of the PSO for at least 1 year. 3rd Dan – member of the PSO for at least 2 years 4th Dan – member of the PSO for at least 3 years 5th Dan – member of the PSO for at least 4 years and have a club registered with 15 students with the PSO Member completes the application form. Forms are available below for download. Member submits the application form along with an eTransfer for the Certificate to Sensei Darren Humphries (dhumphries@shintani.ca ). Karate Canada will mail the certificate in 4 – 6 weeks (for Karate Canada Dan Certificates and 4 – 6 months for a World Karate Federation Certificate. The Karate Canada and World Karate Federation Certificates is another optional avenue for our members to pursue if they choose to. Our current Dan Grading process remains the same. A Karate Canada or World Karate Federation Certificate can be issued without performing another Dan grading. Please e-mail Sensei Darren Humphries should you need further information. e-mail address: Sensei Ron Mattie (rmattie@shintani.ca ) Sensei Darren Humphries (dhumphries@shintani.ca ) Download Applications Forms: Karate Canada World Karate Federation

Harmonizer The SWKKF Newsletter The Harmonizer is the official SWKKF newsletter. It's an important piece of communication providing useful information to the membership. This includes internal and external commentaries, tournament listings, event details, information on workshops, personal experiences, karate news from all national regions, etc. Don't forget that it's your newsletter. Your input is critical to its ongoing success. We heartily welcome your contribution - share your thoughts and experiences with your fellow members. Forward your articles to us at harmonizer@shintani.ca Harmonizer is published 3 times a year at the end of February, June and November. Please contact us should you have any question. Your Harmonizer Committee harmonizer@shintani.ca Current Harmonizer Volume 34, Issue 1 - June 2025 Message from the President Finding Strength and Connection Through Karate Kudan Presentation Hanshi Fred Simonaitis Sensei Ron at the Delhi Karate Club When it's going your way The Power of Community The Sensei Jeff Gervin Memorial Fund A Canadian Karateka's Grading A Glimpse into the Art Here is my journey from white belt to yellow belt Karate With a Sibling R.E.A.C.H. 2025 Recipients Sensei Neil Prime Inducted into the CMAHOF Karate in the North The West is knockin, the East is Rocking What a Year and What and Honour Sensei Jim’s Visit to Nordik Wado Kai From the Logger & Atkinson Family From Your Harmonizer Committee Past Harmonizer Issues Download PDF Volume 01, Issue 1 - October 1996 World Union of Martial Arts Why Kata? Download PDF Volume 01, Issue 2 - March 1997 What Makes a Black Belt? Tournament Kata Practice Tips Training Past 35 Download PDF Volume 01, Issue 3 - June 1997 A Message from the Heart Hearst Wado Kai Karate Club Kata Practice Tips Download PDF Volume 02, Issue 1 - November 1997 Saskatchewan Trip - Nov 1997 A Judge's Perspective The Meaning of Pinan Club News - Calgary Wado-Kai Having Fun at Karate

Frequently asked questions Setting up FAQs Am I eligible for the scholarship if I am going from Grade 12 to a post-secondary program? Yes. All applicants who are transitioning from Grade 12 to any post-secondary programming are eligible to apply. Am I eligible for the scholarship if I am already in a post-secondary program? Yes. All applicants who are continuing from one year to the next in a post-secondary program are eligible to apply. I am currently finishing the last year of my post-secondary program. Am I eligible to apply? No. You must be continuing on in the academic year you obtain your scholarship. For example, the 2022 winners must be returning to school for the 2022-2023 school year. If I applied for the scholarship last year can I apply this year? Absolutely! We encourage you to apply any year that you continue in your post-secondary education. I’m going to technical college. Am I eligible to receive the scholarship? Yes. We encourage any type of post-secondary programming including but not limited to university, college, technical college and trade school. Do you need to hold a specific rank/belt to apply? No. A specific rank or particular karate accomplishment is not required to apply for the scholarship. My grades are not perfect. Do I have a chance at winning the scholarship? Yes. When selecting a candidate, the committee equally considers karate involvement, extracurricular activities and academic achievement. Successful applicants are well rounded and show dedication in many areas of their life. SWKKF Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions Back The SWKKF Scholarship Committee receives a number of questions regarding the application process. We would like to address them among the general membership to ensure that everyone has accurate, up-to-date information. Should you still have questions after reading this FAQ section, please contact Kelsey Mramor at scholarship@shintani.ca . Good luck with your application.

Sensei Neil Prime - 8th Dan - SWKKF Senate Member Choosing the Right Club (Make sure to turn your sound on)

Virtual Online Classes offered each day by clubs in the SWKKF Monday Dynamic Karate Assocation Calgary, AB Sensei Darren Humphries darren@dynamickarate.ca Summer Training 7:00 - 9:00 MST (Adult Class Join Here Glamorgan Wado Kai Calgary, AB (MST) Sensei Kevin Bowes info@glamorganwadokai.com 7:30 - 9:30 MST Join Here Tuesday Coming Soon Wednesday Dynamic Karate Assoc. Calgary, AB Sensei Paul Klein pkapaulo9@gmail.com 6:30 - 7:30 MST Family Class 7:30 - 9:25 MST Adult Class Join Here Thursday Glamorgan Wado Kai Calgary, AB (MST) Sensei Kevin Bowes info@glamorganwadokai.com Summer Training 7:30 - 9:30 MST Join Here Friday Welland Martial Arts Centre Welland, ON (EST) Sensei Ron Mattie rmattie@shintani.ca 7:00 - 8:30 EST Join Here Qualicum Beach Qualicum Beach, BC (PST) Sensei Dan McKee umikarate@hotmail.com 6:00 - 8:00 PST Join Here Dynamic Karate Assoc. Calgary, AB Sensei Darren Humphries darren@dynamickarate.ca 5:00 - 6:00 MST Kicking Class Join Here

< Back Heather Fidyk - Shichidan (7th Dan) Former Senate Member Sensei Heather began her karate career through the University of Alberta Wado Kai club in 1986 earning her Shodan in 1990. In 2007 she earned the rank of Godan (5th dan) under the tutelage of Sensei Ron Mattie. Subsequently, she earned her rank of Rokudan (6th) rank August 2013, and Shichidan (7th) rank December 2020 from the SWKKF Senate. From 1992 to 1993, Sensei Heather lived and worked in Japan with her husband Sensei Darren Fidyk, Godan, where they trained and competed in Wado Ryu under the instruction of Sensei Endo. They continued their international training as Wado Ryu guests in Brazil in 1998 and in Japan in 2000 accompanied by Sensei Ron Mattie and Sensei Darren Humphries. Sensei Heather was a member of the SWKKF National team from 2002-2006. During this time she competed throughout Canada, in the US and Morocco. She maintains her involvement with the SWKKF National Team taking on the role of assistant coach from 2010 to present and even competed with the National Team in Italy in 2011. Sensei Heather has played a large role in the growth and development of Wado Kai karate in Alberta. She founded the St. Albert Wado Kai club, ran the Edmonton Riverbend Wado Kai club, and in 1994 co-founded the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate club with Sensei Darren Fidyk. Currently she is the head instructor and treasurer of the South Calgary Wado Kai Karate Club. The club is about 150 -200 members and hosts one of the SWKKF’s largest tournaments annually in March. She trained Shindo beginning as a blue belt with Hanshi Shintani and today the club participates in the SWKKF Shindo program with both an adult and youth component. As a new member of the SWKKF senate she brings with her a western perspective, a female view, knowledge of being a board member, running a nonprofit organization, and an international understanding.

< Back Jim Atkinson - Hachidan (8th Dan) Vice President & Secretary Sensei Jim started his karate career in 1981 at the Simcoe South Club under the instruction of Sensei Bruce Perkins. He was graded to Shodan in 1987 and in June 2021 received the rank of Hachidan (8th Dan) from the SWKKF Senate and in December 2021, received the rank of Hachidan (8th Dan) from the World Traditional Karate Association. Sensei Jim has been the head instructor of Delhi Wado Kai since 1992. Sensei Jim has been very active in the SWKKF. He worked with Sensei Bruce Perkins to develop the SWKKF scholarship fund and was a member of the first Shindo committee, which has worked to develop the Shindo program within the federation. Sensei Jim was also involved in the production of Volumes 1 and 2 of the Kata DVD's as well as all 3 Shindo DVD's. Sensei Jim was the Ontario provincial representative for a lengthy time until being appointed to the Senate. Sensei Jim is currently the Vice President and Secretary of the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation and the Chair of the Shindo Federation of North America. jatkinson@shintani.ca +1 (519) 428-8406

Seishin No Shindo by Sensei Dr. Robert J. Graham I had thought about what kind of a kata that would be good for the Shindo and decided that a Kitagawa kata would best fit the movements of the Shindo as well as capture the essence of Sensei Shintani's movements. Seisho seemed liked a very good fit because it was not too long and was full of explosive movements. So, I proceeded to put together the kata and the Shindo, refining the movements over a period of about 6 months. I had told Sensei Shintani that I was doing this and had his approval, but he had not seen any of the work I had done at that point. Subsequently, I had Sensei to my home in Hamburg because he was doing a clinic for me at the Bailey Ave. dojo. The evening before the clinic, which was a Friday, I asked him if he would take a look at the kata I had developed and he agreed. We went into the basement of my home and I demonstrated the kata several times for him. When I asked him if there were any suggestions he replied, "No keep the kata just as it is." He then asked me what I called the kata and I told him "Seisho no Shindo." He thought for a moment and said to me. You will call it "Seishin no Shindo." He explained to me that Seishin means the true, straight way of a person with high character. He told me that I was of a very high character and that I had followed the true, straight way of his teachings and the Shindo. He said that when someone in Japan is of high character and follows a true path they are said to have "Seishin." He then asked me why I had chosen Seisho from all of the Kitagawa katas that were available. I told him that it seemed to me that it represented his movements and explosiveness so very well. He said to me, "That's really interesting Bob, because of all the Kitagawa katas that's the only one I had created myself. All the rest were Sensei Kitagawa's katas." He found it very interesting that I was able to zero in on his movements from the kata and select the one he had created even though I had no knowledge that he had done so. We then went upstairs to my kitchen and he asked me for a cup of tea. As I was making the tea, he was sitting at the table writing. When I served him the tea he handed me a Shindo certificate and said, "You are now a 7th Dan in Shindo. Then he looked at the cup of tea and said, "Oh that's beautiful, just beautiful." After he finished the tea, he turned on the baseball game. We didn't discuss karate or the Shindo the rest of the evening, only baseball.

< Back Darren Humphries - Shichidan (7th Dan) Director Inspired by his older brother Jayson Humphries, Sensei Darren began his karate training in Arcola, Saskatchewan in 1986 under Sensei Rathe Mokelky (Rokudan). He was honored to have been graded to his Shodan in the spring of 1990 by Sensei Peter Coilfi and Sensei Roland Day. In January 1998, he received the rank of 1st Dan in Jin Pal Hapkido and in July the same year received the rank of Sandan in Shindo. In September 2021, he received the rank of Shichidan (7th Dan) from the World Traditional Karate Association. In November 2021, he received a Rokudan (6th Dan) in Shindo from the Shindo Federation of North America. In December 2021, he received the rank of Shichidan (7th Dan) from the SWKKF Senate. In 1996-1997, Sensei Darren was selected by Sensei Shintani and his senior students to be on the first Shintani World Competition Team to travel to Okinawa to compete. Sensei quoted on September 15, 1996 " I think that this team will show the world the true spirit of karate." Although the trip was eventually cancelled, the groundwork was established for the SWKKF National Team. He was a member of the National team in 1997-1998 and 2002 – 2004 at which time he competed across Canada and the United States. Sensei Darren has been involved with numerous committees and has been active in the growth and development of Shintani Wado Kai in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He became Sensei Rathe Mokelky’s assistant instructor in the late 80s and early 90s; teaching at several clubs in South Eastern Saskatchewan and then later founded clubs in Findlater, Saskatchewan. In 2005, he founded the Dynamic Karate Association of Alberta based out of Northwest Calgary Alberta. He is currently the head instructor and treasurer for the Dynamic Karate Association of Alberta and operates clubs in NW Calgary and Turner Valley, Alberta. Sensei Darren resides in Calgary, Alberta with his wife Deborah, son Carter and daughters Lexi and Maya. dhumphries@shintani.ca +1 (403) 671-5662