The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 3

That is the original meaning of the term Doukhobor – one who wrestles with the spirit, one who stands to account in the face of temptation, material corruption and military power. One cannot read or research very deeply in any body of Basin records without encountering statements and articles that vilify Doukhobors. Theywere seen as a “strange” and “peculiar” people who did not contribute to Canadian society. On reading closely, these were always views from afar. In fact, the Doukhobors were an agrarian people who brought into blossom much of the abandoned or ignored marginal farming areas of western Canada. Many today think thatDoukhobor culture and commerce was confined to the Boundary –West Kootenay region. A look in any Basin newspaper will, however, soon disabuse one of that view. From Valemount to Revelstoke to Roosville, Doukhobors have been historically present, and verbally berated. We were delighted at the Columbia Basin Institute to find, in the November 19 th , 1925, issue of the Cranbrook Herald, the ad included here. This is positive evidence of what the Doukhobors, at that time a strongly agrarian community, did best – grow and sell produce. The Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood was a multi-million dollar enterprise that grew, produced and marketed the best fruits and jams the Basin had to offer. And here they are doing it in downtown Cranbrook. The Doukhobor community, historically and currently, is one of the strong threads that comprise our Columbia Basin cultural tapestry. Take the opportunity to visit the Doukhobor Village Museum in Castlegar and the Hardy Mountain Doukhobor Village in Grand Forks. The history of this hard-working group of people is part of what makes the Columbia Basin so special. SPIRIT WRESTLERS from The Cranbrook Courier, November 13, 1930 (p4) Manager F.C. Rogers of the Grand Theatre at Creston says the contract has been signed for the installation of talking pictures in that show house. He expects to have the “talkies” going before the end of December. ____________ from The Cranbrook Courier, October 30, 1930 (p12) Kimberley’s new $30,000 high school was opened last Friday. The old high school building has been taken over by the central school, which gives better teaching facilities to the public school. ____________ from The Cranbrook Courier, October 2, 1930 (p5) James Whalley held the lucky ticket in the drawing for the baby Austin car at Kimberley, held last week under the auspices of the skating rink directors. ____________ from The Cranbrook Courier, October 2, 1930 (p5) Excavation work is about completed for the new Bank of Commerce building at Kimberley, and pouring concrete for the foundationwill begin this week. The building is being erected by the Otis Staples Lumber company, who were the successful bidders. ____________ from The Cranbrook Courier, November 13, 1930 (p4) George Alexander, pioneer Kootenay capitalist, died in England about ten days ago. ____________ from The Cranbrook Courier, November 13, 1930 (p4) Leo Desireau, a star hockey player of Nelson, has gone to San Francisco to join a professional hockey team of that city. PROVINCIAL NOTES Those of us working to remember and restore our past have lost a friend and fellow worker this month. Josephine Edna Woodske of the St. Mary’s Band of the Ktunaxa Nation passed away. Jo Woodske was an active researcher on the Canal Flats history book. She will be missed as the work of making the past public goes on. R.I.P. History Loses Friend