Saskatchewan Connections

It is true what they say about distance – “it is just a space between”. My husband, Barry, and I experienced the meaning of this first hand when we travelled to Saskatchewan last month to participate in the season opening “theme day” of the provincial and national historic site “Doukhobor Dugout House” (doukhobordugouthouse.com) near Blaine Lake on July 7. Our hosts, Brenda Cheveldayoff (founder of the Doukhobor Dugout House) and her husband Dan, and Donna Choppe and her brother Rick made us feel like family – very welcome and at home.

We were also fortunate to share this wonderful adventure with BC friends, Lisa Poznikoff (Editor of ISKRA) and Larry Ewashen (Doukhobor historian). Some of the Saskatoon and Blaine Lake locals that we met during our visit were Veronika Makarova (Associate Professor, Department of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Saskatoon), elders Bill Kalmakoff and his wife June, Jeanette Stringer, Mae Popoff (Editor of SHEAF), Bill Kanigan (Stephanie’s relative), Alex Strelioff (Lisa’s relative), Mabel Androsoff, Doreen Konkin, and Liz Cheveldayoff. It was truly a pleasure to meet and get to know each and every one of them.

Spending all day Saturday at the Dugout site allowed us to see, first hand, the enormous amount of time and energy that the board of directors and their dedicated volunteers devote to ensure that all activities run smoothly at this seasonal cultural tourism destination. I think all their hard work definitely paid off – I was totally inspired by the 200 plus visitors, young and old, who came out that day to learn about our Doukhobor culture and to experience a piece of Canadian history.

Despite the high temperatures and the pesky mosquitoes, guests were eager to tour the site – see the archaeological dig, attempt to pull the plough, and ask questions to further their understanding of the life and times of Doukhobor immigrants over 100 years ago. I managed to endure the conditions by telling myself that a little perspiration and a few mosquito bites is nothing compared to the hardships our ancestors faced their first year in Canada.

Culture seems to be our common bond… among our Doukhobor family but also among our bigger Canadian family. Our life in Canada has taken us in many different directions and has given us many different life experiences, but as Doukhobors, we still share the same past. As we continue to learn more about our history, each other and ourselves, we will undoubtedly uncover many similarities. After all, those connections are already there, all we have to do is reach out and grasp them.

If we look back at the principles that our ancestors held so dear, we may realize that many resonate with our own value systems. In time, that which at first appeared unfamiliar and different actually becomes normal, complementary, and comforting. Then as we continue to hone our own principles, perhaps we will be lucky enough to discover that “Doukhobor essence” that truly transcends time and space.

Our trip, although very short, was full of amazing experiences that will last us a lifetime. Even though this was the first time that we met our prairie family, it felt like we have known them all our lives. This adventure served as a good reminder that the distance between two spaces quickly decreases with communication, hospitality and friendship. To all of our family and friends in Saskatchewan, from the bottom of our hearts – “Спаси вас Господи”, God Bless.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” ~ Helen Keller

ISKRA issue #2057