Canadian WW1 internment operations marked by new Calgarian Ukrainian monument
A memorial exhibit marking a dark chapter of Canada’s First World War involvement was unveiled in Calgary Saturday.
An interpretive panel dedicated to remembering internment operations was installed in the Ukrainian Pioneers Park in the northeast.
It's a way to commemorate a sad, largely forgotten point in Canadian history when the country invoked the War Measures Act.
That decision led to the government imprisoning more than 8,000 European immigrants -- mostly Ukrainians -- when the war broke out. They were deemed enemies of the state and shipped to 24 camps across Canada, forced into labour as the fighting continued.
There were five such camps in Alberta.
"When I found out about it only a year ago, I thought it was kind of crazy that this isn't anything that we're taught about or know about," Kyle Hoyda with the Ukrainian Canadians Civil Liberties Foundation said. "So being able to do something simple is a small step we can take to educated people about our history.
"It's important to know how we got to where we are so we can learn from that."
Conditions in the internment camps were harsh. Several prisoners committed suicide, and many others were shot trying to escape.
Daniel Moussienko, who is with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Calgary branch, says he feels like the type of mistreatment is all too common.
"The reason why it's so impactful to us is because it seems to be a common story. It's always been a significant challenge to gain independence or be proud to be Ukrainian because there's always some upper hand that's telling you not to do so."
Austrians, Bulgarians, Croatians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians and many others were also impacted.
The federal government intentionally destroyed its entire archive of the camps in 1950, but Ukrainian Canadians have been fighting hard to make sure they are not forgotten.
The new monument is a way to make sure the stories don't slip into history.
"I'm hoping someone might look at it and say, 'wow, I had no idea,'" Hoyda said. "Maybe they'll go home and read a little bit more about it."
In 2008, the Ottawa awarded $10 million to the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund. That money has gone towards erecting similar monuments to Saturday's.
In fact, in 2014, 100 permanent memorials were unveiled across the country.
Remarks at the unveiling were delivered by mayor Jyoti Gondek.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.