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VOL. 26, NO. 23 Leona Osowetski, member of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church and Ukrainian Cultural Society, checks out a plaque recognizing the internment of Ukrainians during the First World War. CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Couple counting their blessings after lottery win BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Plaque acknowledges internment camp
I
PROJECT PUTS 100 markers across the country.
BY TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
A plaque on the Nanaimo waterfront is the city’s only public acknowledgement of its First World War internment camp – but that’s about to change. The Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation will see a wave of 100 plaques unveiled across the country this August on the centennial of Canada’s first national internment camps. The initiative, considered a first in Canadian history, will end in Nanaimo, where
125 to 200 Ukrainians and other eastern Europeans were imprisoned under the War Measures Act between 1914-15. Lubomyr Luciuk, project lead for the foundation, said the initiative commemorates a time of repression and trauma for the communities affected, but it’s also about recognition and reconciliation. “It’s kind of a reminder to any Canadian ... that in times of domestic and international crisis it’s really important that you remain vigilant in your defence of your civil liberties and human rights,” Luciuk said. The Canadian government invoked the War Measures Act a century ago on Aug. 4 as Britain joined the war
against Germany and Austria-Hungary. It would be the same act used to intern Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War. Under the measure, more than 8,500 women, children and men would be interned in 24 camps across Canada. Most of them were Ukrainians and civilians, according to Luciuk, who said their valuables were confiscated, restrictions were placed on their freedom of speech and they were forced to do heavy labour. In Nanaimo, some of the trees along Stewart Avenue were planted by internees from the old provincial jail near Stewart and Townsite Road. The camp, which opened Sept. 20, 1914, would keep all prisoners of
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war from Vancouver Island. The Nanaimo Archives show many internees were coal miners from places like Extension, South Wellington and Ladysmith. They were put in a stockade-style compound with four-metre high walls, although reportedly they were well-treated and allowed to go to church or compete against outside teams in soccer. Internees were transferred to a camp in Vernon in 1915. The unveiling will happen at 11 a.m. on Aug. 22. One plaque will be located at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church on Victoria Avenue while another will be added to the waterfront. news@nanaimobulletin.com
Related /10
A Nanaimo couple is counting their blessings and their cash after a big win on the BC/49 lottery. Barry and Janice Kroening, a retired couple who live in north Nanaimo, hit a $2-million jackpot on the July 12 draw that will ensure their golden years are just that. Janice discovered they’d won the prize July 14 when she checked the numbers. She doesn’t remember what she said when the ticket matched the winning numbers, but does recall thinking it couldn’t be true. The idea that they are sudden millionaires was still sinking in when they picked up their cheque from B.C. Lottery Corporation offices in Vancouver Tuesday. “We’re still processing, to be honest,” Janice said. “We are still just not quite in reality yet, so we’re probably just going to put it somewhere safe and just see how things roll.”
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Winning the money gives the Kroenings – both in their 60s – a strong sense of security about their financial future in their retirement years, she said. As for future plans, it’s just too early to say what those might be other than general travelling. “It just totally secures it,” Janice said. “If I want to buy two pairs of shoes, I’ll buy two pairs of shoes. In fact, I did yesterday actually. I guess that’s the most impact I’ve felt so far – and we flew over this morning. That was a treat, too, on Harbour Air. That was something we wouldn’t normally do, so those are small baby steps.” Regardless of how they plan to enjoy their winnings, from this point on the Kroenings will be living the dream. “It’s the ultimate dream, is really what it is,” Janice said. “Everyone dreams of this and we are getting to enjoy it and it just doesn’t seem real yet.”
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