The Doukhobor Dugout House located south of Blaine Lake was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada during an official ceremony July 5.
Maurice Vellacott MP for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, on behalf Peter Kent, Canada's environment minister and minister responsible for Parks Canada, assisted with the unveiling of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque.
The dignitaries were led into the heritage site by Brad Fenty, a highland bagpiper.
The program began with MC Allan Duddridge introducting the official party. Executive director for the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ, J.J. Verigin, pronounced the opening prayer followed by Camilla Konkin singing the prayer in Russian. Konkin continued with the singing of O Canada.
Duddridge, who is also Saskatchewan representative for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, brought greetings on behalf of the national board.
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada established in 1919 is supported by Parks Canada. It advises the minister of the environment on the national significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada's history. On behalf of the people of Canada, Parks Canada manages a nationwide network that depicts Canada's historical heritage and offers the public opportunities for discovery.
Brenda Cheveldayoff, site owner, expressed her appreciation to the many individuals who assisted her over the years in bringing to light the historical significance of the area. The dream began with her father's knowledge of and desire and ambition to acknowledge the roots of his culture. Also encouraging her mission to save the dugout house was finding an old National Geographic magazine among her late father's belongings whereby her grandfather had given an interview about the value of the site. That was when she decided it was time to explore whether the property was actually the site where the Doukhobors first settled.
"It was his dream, his interest in the Dugout House that has brought me and my family closer to our Doukhobor heritage," explained Brenda through tear filled eyes. "During my journey I have had the opportunity to work with government and academic departments such as architecture, archeology, environment, conservation and preservation, which has been very rewarding. I have had the privilege of historians teaching me the historical facts of the Doukhobors."
Ken Cheveldayoff, provincial minister of environment, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government.
"I am honoured to be here ... at this special ceremony commemorating the Doukhobor Dugout House. Brenda and Dan are passionate about this national historic site and I applaud them for all they have done," commented Ken adding that the historic property is tied closely to the earliest history of the Doukhobors in Canada.
"It reminds us of the hardships that they and the countless other pioneers faced after arriving on the prairies. They persevered through the challenges most of us cannot imagine. They were resourceful, brave, determined and hard-working."
Ken concluded by acknowledging the many individuals for their contributions towards making the property both a provincial and national historic site.
"Your dedication to the property is the reason it will survive for generations," he said. "By providing tours you help ensure that the story of the early Doukhobors remains alive and vibrant in the minds of the more than one thousand who visit every year."
Larry Ewashen, renowned historian on the Doukhobor culture, provided a verbal and pictoral presentation on the history of the Doukhobors. He spoke of the immigration, the people and their struggles and the establishment of communities along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Ewashen has been instrumental in bringing Canadian Doukhobor sites to the attention of the Historic Sites and Monuments board. He has produced and directed documentary films and even wrote a prize winning musical soundtrack for The Herring Belt.
"The Government of Canada is proud to welcome the Doukhobor Dugout House to our family of national historic sites," Vellacott said during his opening remarks.
"This site celebrates the rich ethno-cultural heritage of this great country and is a testament to the ingenuity and tenacity of early settlers as they adapted to their prairie surroundings. It is a very significant reminder of the hardships, sacrifices and culture and of the basic necessities of life that we often take for granted. We can value the past and better appreciate the present and future."
Vellacott continued by thanking Brenda Cheveldayoff and family and Veregin for their efforts to preserve an important part of the nation's history.
"You are safeguarding a remarkable legacy for the benefit of all Canadians," he commented adding, "it is difficult for us to imagine a day filled with struggling to gather basic necessities that we take for granted. By valuing our past, we can begin to understand where we came from and better appreciate our present. That, is the true value of our legacy."
The dignitaries then gathered to participate in the unveiling of the plaque, which reads, "This dugout house, built by Russian Doukhobor immigrants in 1899, is the only known surviving example of this form of temporary shelter in Canada. It recalls the hardships faced by many settlers of various ethnic backgrounds upon their arrival on the Prairies and the practical solutions they adopted in a setting largely devoid of trees. These dwellings were soon replaced by more permanent housing as required under the Dominion Lands Act. This site is part of a landscape of farm buildings and archeological remains that speaks to the evolution of Doukhobor communities on the Prairies."
A few singers from the audience converged at the front to perform two traditional Doukhobor songs in Russian. The first, Precious Moments, relates to how thankful they are that God has given the tools to further teach the word of the Lord. The second hymn, Sleep, Oh You Great Fighting Eagles, represents the stand to honour their Russian forefathers. The hymn expresses the suffering of the Russian ancestors as they refused to go to war, they brought a legacy to "live in peace".
Veregin closed the ceremony with a Doukhobor prayer also considered a fundamental song that was written by an early Doukhobor leader entitled Be Devout.
