Worldly Cultures MIR Centre for Peace
Wally Soukoroff
With a mandate to understand and build cultures of peace through learning, this important building is both an educational facility and a gathering place for local events, such as the “Peace Café” and various lecture series. Situated on traditional Sinixt / Ktunaxa lands and housed in a fully-restored, original Doukhobor homestead, this beautiful centre overlooks the Columbia River and the city of Castlegar, and is located on the Selkirk College campus. The MIR Centre for Peace is seen as an important building block for discussions and forward movement on the fundamental idea of peace and what it stands for, not only in the community of Castlegar, but also for our world today and tomorrow. 301 Frank Beinder Way, Castlegar | 250.365.7292 | selkirk.ca
Castlegar 2011 | visitorschoice.com
Doukhobor History Between 1908 and 1913 the largest internal migration in Canada took place when 5,000 Doukhobor migrants moved from the prairies to the West Kootenay area. As the site of the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers, an historic transportation route, the arrival of the Doukhobors and their original purchase of 5,666 ha (14,000 acres) of land led to major agrarian settlements. By 1913, 5,000 Doukhobors had arrived; developing basic agriculture, orchards, lumber mills, irrigation projects, brick yards, roads, bridges, apiaries and the construction of over 90 communal villages. The spacious, beautiful valley of Castlegar would become a new place of refuge and was named Dolina Ootishenie, the “Valley of Consolation,” by Peter V. Verigin, their leader at the time. By the time Verigin suffered an untimely tragic death in 1924, the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood operated 28,975 ha (71,600 acres) in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. In addition, the migration was assisted by Leo Tolstoy, through his negotiation and fundraising efforts. Tolstoy is fondly remembered by the Doukhobors as their saviour in a time of dire need. To learn more about Doukhobor culture and lifestyle, and view over 1,000 artifacts representing their pioneering arts, crafts, customs and religion, visit the Doukhobor Discovery Centre.
East Shore
Presents its 41st Season!
Stroll through the grounds, view artifacts, Tolstoy's statue & listen to Doukhobor Music & Elders’ Stories. Traditional & Western cuisine at our Village Bistro.
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112 Heritage Way, Castlegar May - Sept 10 - 5 Daily 250.365.5327 www.Doukhobor-Museum.org
Kootenay Lake www.kootenaylake.bc.ca
KOOTENAY LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • BRITISH COLUMBIA • CANADA