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Introduction |
History |
Daily Life |
Culture |
References
History
Settlement
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| Crowds lining up for Doukhobor lands, Yorkton, Saskatchewan, 1907 |
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The Doukhobors settled down, cleared the land, built houses and began farming. They did well and eventually built brick factories, saw mills and flour mills. In 1902 Peter Verigin, the Doukhobor community's spiritual leader, decided that he would buy land in British Columbia where an oath of allegiance was not required. Over the next five years, he moved around 5 000 Doukhobors to the interior of British Columbia, around the towns of Brilliant, Grand Forks, Glade and Pass Creek. Once more, they had to clear the land, prepare the soil for planting, and build houses. This time they also planted lots of fruit trees and built a big jam factory, as well as more brick factories. In 1907, the Doukhobors faced a new challenge. The Canadian government was asking the Doukhobors to swear an oath of allegiance to the King. Many did not wish to do so, as they felt this would mean they would have to fight in a war if there was one. They were given a choice: sign the oath or lose their land. Some of the Doukhobors, who became known as the Independents, signed the oath and remained on their land. The others lost over 250 000 acres that they had worked so hard to clear and improve for farming. The government sold the land to other people. There was a rush to buy this rich farmland so nicely cleared and worked!
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| Line of Doukhobor wagons heading for the railway embarkation point to leave for the interior of British Columbia, 1909 |
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Doukhobors en route to Western Canada by train |
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