British Columbia - Periods - Boom & Bust (1919-1937)  

DOUKHOBORS PROTEST - 1929

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The Doukhobors were a religious group in Canada who, in 1929, staged a series of protests against the Canadian government's attempts to force them to send their children to government-run schools. The Doukhobors believed that education should be a parental responsibility, and that the government's attempts to intervene in their religious practices were a violation of their freedom.

The protests included acts of civil disobedience, such as burning government-issued school books, and were met with a strong response from the government and the general public. The protests were ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the government's intervention in Doukhobor education, but they brought attention to the group's beliefs and practices, and helped to establish their right to religious freedom in Canada.

The Doukhobors were a religious group of Russian origin that settled in Canada, primarily in the province of British Columbia, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They had a significant impact on the culture of the region, particularly due to their religious beliefs and practices, which included a rejection of materialism and a focus on spiritual pursuits. They were known for their communal living arrangements, and their commitment to nonviolence and pacifism.

The Doukhobors' protests in 1929, as I mentioned above, brought them into conflict with the government of British Columbia and the broader Canadian society, which viewed their refusal to send their children to government-run schools as a violation of the law. The government's response, which included arrests and fines, further entrenched the Doukhobors' position as outsiders in the dominant culture.

Despite this, the Doukhobors' unique culture and beliefs continued to shape the region. Their agricultural practices, for example, helped to develop the region's fruit and vegetable industry, and their communal living arrangements inspired the creation of cooperatives and other forms of collective organization.

Their culture also played a role in the development of the region's art scene, particularly through the production of traditional crafts like weaving, pottery, and carving, which were sold in local markets and helped to establish the region as a center for the arts.

In summary, the Doukhobors had a significant impact on the culture of British Columbia, both through their religious beliefs and practices and through their contributions to the region's economy and art scene. Their 1929 protest brought attention to their culture and rights, and helped establish their right to religious freedom in Canada.

Timeline

  • -1899: The first wave of Doukhobors arrives in Canada, settling in the province of Manitoba.
  • -1902: The Canadian government offers the Doukhobors free passage to Canada and land in the province of Saskatchewan to settle on.
  • -1908: The Doukhobors, now settled in the province of British Columbia, refuse to register their firearms with the government, leading to a standoff with authorities.
  • -1914-1918: Many Doukhobors refuse to participate in World War I and are arrested, imprisoned or forced to leave Canada.
  • -1929: The Doukhobors stage a series of protests against the Canadian government's attempts to force them to send their children to government-run schools.
  • -1940s: Many Doukhobors leave Canada for South America due to economic and political pressure.
  • -1950s: The Canadian government begins to ease restrictions on the Doukhobors, allowing them to reclaim their confiscated land.
  • -1970s: The Doukhobors begin to rebuild their communities in Canada, and their culture and traditions continue to be passed down to new generations.
  • -Today: The Doukhobors continue to live in Canada, with communities primarily concentrated in British Columbia, and practice their traditions and beliefs.

Culture & Politics

    They have a number of distinct cultural and religious beliefs that set them apart from other religious groups. Here are a few key beliefs and practices of the Doukhobors:
  • Pacifism: Doukhobors are known for their commitment to nonviolence and pacifism. They believe in the power of love and spiritual unity to overcome all conflicts and refuse to participate in any form of war or military service.
  • Communal living: Doukhobors often live in communes, where they share resources and work together to support the community. This is based on the belief that material possessions should be shared among the community rather than being hoarded by individuals.
  • Spirituality: Doukhobors believe that the ultimate goal of life is spiritual enlightenment and union with God. They reject formal religious institutions and practice a form of Christianity that emphasizes inner spiritual experience over external ritual.
  • Education: Doukhobors believe that education should be a parental responsibility, and that the government's attempts to intervene in their religious practices were a violation of their freedom. This is one of the reasons behind their protests in 1929
  • Simple life: Doukhobors lead a simple life and reject materialism, they focus on spiritual pursuits and self-improvement rather than accumulating wealth and possessions.

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Reference: Article by (Staff Historian), 2023

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