Ukrainian Internment Operation in Canada- 1914-1920
Internment is the forcible confinement or detention of a person during wartime.
From 1914-1920, Canada's first ever large scale internment operation occurred across the country. At this time, Canada was at war with the Central Powers, Germany and Austria-Hungary, and, fearing the threat of internal spies, began to forcibly imprison its own citizens of European origin. Under the War Measures Act, the government Canada was able to strip its citizens of their civil liberties, force them into camps, and subject them to physical labour. Many of those interned were Ukrainian-Canadians who, only a decade prior, had been invited by the government of Canada to settle the countries western territory.
During WWII, the War Measures Act was invoked again in the internment of over 12000 Japanese-Canadians. As the future generation of leaders in our country, it is our responsibility to remember the tragedy and injustice that occurred during this time so that we can call out and uphold equality in the future.
From 1914-1920, Canada's first ever large scale internment operation occurred across the country. At this time, Canada was at war with the Central Powers, Germany and Austria-Hungary, and, fearing the threat of internal spies, began to forcibly imprison its own citizens of European origin. Under the War Measures Act, the government Canada was able to strip its citizens of their civil liberties, force them into camps, and subject them to physical labour. Many of those interned were Ukrainian-Canadians who, only a decade prior, had been invited by the government of Canada to settle the countries western territory.
During WWII, the War Measures Act was invoked again in the internment of over 12000 Japanese-Canadians. As the future generation of leaders in our country, it is our responsibility to remember the tragedy and injustice that occurred during this time so that we can call out and uphold equality in the future.
WWI Internment Quick Facts
SUSK Internment Centennial Geocache Project
The Geocache Project aims to uphold the legacy of commemorating Canada's history of Interment amongst the younger generation through geocaching. Geocaching is a very popular international activity in which geocachers hunt for caches hidden across the world using GPS coordinates. The Internment Geocache project is designed to not only encourage post-secondary students involved in Ukrainian Student Organizations to travel to their nearest internment site and engage with the history there, but also to place a geocache, containing information on the history of the area, at the location. By placing Geocaches at the sites of WWI Ukrainian Internment camps, we create an opportunity for the broader Canadian community to experience these otherwise forgotten sites and engage in a part of Canada's history they might not be aware of. |
Commemorating the History of Internment on Vancouver Island
The Nanaimo Internment Camp was in operation from 1914-1915 at which time, the internees held there were transferred to the Internment Camp in Vernon, British Columbia. During their time in Nanaimo, the Internees worked mainly as cheap labour in the coal mines located in Ladysmith and neighbouring communities. The Nanaimo Internment Camp was located within the Old provincial jail located on Steward Ave between Townsite Rd and Rosehill St. 2 plaques, located along the waterfront and at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church now serve as a reminder of the cities history.
On July 24th, the UVic Ukrainian Students' Society traveled to the location where the Internment camp once stood and placed a geocache nearby.
To read about our full experience click here
On July 24th, the UVic Ukrainian Students' Society traveled to the location where the Internment camp once stood and placed a geocache nearby.
To read about our full experience click here
Other Resources
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