Canadian First World War
Internment Recognition Fund

Fonds canadien de reconnaissance de l'internement durant
la première guerre mondiale


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  • 2022
    • UCCLF unveils plaque commemorating “enemy aliens” in Toronto’s Bloor West Village

      The Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation (UCCLF) on Saturday officially unveiled Canada’s latest educational and commemorative plaque marking a darker chapter in Canadian history – the internment operations during and after the First World War which ensnared 8,000 Ukrainians and others in a network of 24 camps, and forced a further 80,000 to check in semi-regularly with the police.

      Dozens of people from the GTA attended the unveiling of the plaque, which was affixed to the Bloor Street-facing exterior wall of the Ukrainian Credit Union, located at the heart of the annual Bloor Street West Toronto Ukrainian Festival. The UCCLF was thankful for the support of the Ukrainian Credit Union as well as the Ukrainian National Federation.

      Guest speakers included Ihor Bardyn of the Ukrainian National Federation, Taras Pidzamecky of the Ukrainian Credit Union, Maxim Bozhilov of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, Jurij Klufas, representing of Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, as well as Arif Virani, Member of Parliament for Parkdale – High Park.

      The UCCLF worked collaboratively and with the support of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, the local Ukrainian community, Ukrainian Credit Union Ltd., The Ukrainian National Federation and others. The UCCLF thanks them all for their support.

    • For immediate release – October 28, 2022

      The Camps is a free teaching guide that uses documentary film to raise critical awareness among secondary school students about the largely unknown story of Canada’s First National Internment Operations. Featuring a critical inquiry approach and using historical thinking concepts, this collection of six flexible lessons and related learning materials complements the documentary film series The Camps, created by Ryan Boyko. LEARN MORE

      Watch The Camps video series by Armistice Films which explores Canada's First National Internment Operations from 1914-1920.

      Watch Season 1 of The Camps

      Watch Season 2 of The Camps




      Developing Understanding through the Arts - Recognizing an Historic Injustice: Canada's First
      National Internment Operations, 1914-1920

      Designed for students in grades 4 to 9, this resource features nine lessons that use visual and dramatic arts to nurture student understanding of Canada’s First National Internment Operations, 1914–1920.

      Learn more
      Also available in French


      Recognizing an Historic Injustice: Canada's First National Internment Operations, 1914-1920

      This resource contains nine lessons intended for students in grades 9 to 12 exploring the events, causes and consequences of the internment of thousands of individuals in Canada during the First World War era.

      Learn more
      Also available in French



    • For immediate release (Emerson, MB and Calgary, AB, September 7, 2022)

      Unveiling of Emerson, MB, First World War Internment Operations Photographic Monument and Interpretive Panel

      Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation

      The Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation (UCCLF) and the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin Tourism Committee invite you to attend the official opening of a new educational and commemorative exhibit marking Canada’s First World War internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      Located about 100 km south of Winnipeg, the site at Emerson commemorates the hundreds of men who walked from Winnipeg to find work in the United States, only to be arrested as “enemy aliens” by federal authorities at Emerson before they could cross the international border. They were then sent to the Brandon Internment Camp.

      In 24 camps across Canada, more than 8,000 men, women, and children, primarily Ukrainians invited by the Dominion government to settle the West, were unjustly interned as enemy aliens from 1914-1920 under the War Measures Act, their possessions taken, and not all returned.

      80,000 others were forced to register semi-regularly with authorities. They suffered, not because of anything they had done, but because of where they had come from. Many remained “in fear of the barbed wire fence” long after their release.

      The event will take place Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m. (CT) at Emerson Corner Park (intersection of Main and Church streets), Emerson, Manitoba.

      UCCLF worked collaboratively with the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin Tourism Committee and others to create the permanent exhibit, which features a photographic monument, as well as an interpretive panel.

      "There cannot be reconciliation without education,” said UCCLF’s Borys Sydoruk. “We are grateful for the hard work by the volunteers in this community and from across Canada in helping plan, design, create and consecrate this important memorial. The exhibit will educate as well as emotionally remind visitors to the park what happened in Canada a century ago, to minorities like Ukrainians and others, when the government implemented laws based on fear and hysteria and directed it at specific ethnic groups.”

      The affected communities included Ukrainians, Austrian, Bulgarians, Croatians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Jews, Poles, Romanians, Serbians, Slovaks, Slovenes and others, of which most were civilians.

      Please visit the Manitoba Museum for more background information on the Emerson arrests and internment:
      https://manitobamuseum.ca/archives/29836
      https://manitobamuseum.ca/archives/29757

      For further information, please e-mail [email protected] or Borys Sydoruk @ 403.903.5013

      Schedule of Events (subject to change)
      All times Central Time Zone

      Opening Ceremony, 2:00 p.m., Emerson Corner Park, Emerson, MB

      National Anthems

      Opening Remarks: Wayne Arseny, Master of Ceremonies

      Consecration of Monument

      Remarks:

      • Borys Sydoruk, Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation
      • Jo-Anne Drewniak, Municipality of Emerson-Franklin Tourism Committee
      • Carola Lange, Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund
      • Joanne Lewandowsky, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Manitoba Provincial Council
      • David Carlson, Reeve of the Municipality of Emerson-Franklin
      • Ted Falk, MP for Provencher
      • Josh Guenter, MLA for Borderland

      Laying of Wreaths
      Closing Remarks: Wayne Arseny, Master of Ceremonies

    • For immediate release – June 8, 2022

      ENDOWMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS OF       THE CANADIAN FIRST WORLD WAR INTERNMENT RECOGNITION FUND MEET AND ATTEND NATIONAL INTERNMENT ART EXHIBIT OPENING IN VERNON, B.C.

      On June 4, 2022, the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) held a meeting in Vernon, British Columbia, site of the central permanent internment camp of British Columbia, which once imprisoned hundreds of so-called “enemy aliens” during Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920. The Endowment Council met to review applications and grant funding to a variety of new initiatives intended to recognize and commemorate the experiences of the affected ethno-cultural communities. The Endowment Council includes representatives from the Ukrainian, German, Bulgarian and Austrian communities and an internee descendant. Internment Camp site tours were organized for the Endowment Council to Mara Lake, Monashee, and Vernon internment camps. Andrea Malysh, CFWWIRF Program Manager provided a historical overview of the Mara Lake and Vernon internment camps operation along with the use of the new ON THIS SPOT internment walking tour app. Lawrna Myers provided the historic tour of the Monashee internment camp and the Vernon Internee Cemetery.

      On June 3, 2022, the Endowment Council of the CFWWIRF also attended the official opening of the National Internment Art Exhibit, Pause in Plight by artist, Kerri Parnell hosted by Gallery Vertigo and The Wayfinder Sunflower Project. This exhibit is on a cross Canada tour which is funded by a grant from the CFWWIRF. Speaking at this event was Brigitte Red, Executive Director of Gallery Vertigo, Charlene Heidt representing Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu, Borys Sirskyj, Chair of the CFWWIRF, and Artist, Kerri Parnell.

      Speaking on behalf of the Endowment Council of the CFWWIRF, the Chair, Borys Sirskyj, said: “As you walk through this exhibit you will experience not only the propaganda from the time, but the “Emotional Series” exhibits the strength and resilience of thousands of new immigrants who were invited to Canada and then found themselves interned and working for little pay in Canada’s hinterland against their will. The “Old Eyes Series” examines the lineage of trauma that resonates within future generations who burden the shame of what happened. It serves as a reminder, that in some circumstances, differences are still not celebrated in Canada today. Pause in Plight represents a timely milestone in remembering, commemorating, and in recognizing this historic injustice suffered by thousands of innocent people.

      Vernon Internee Cemetery Monument
      CFWWIRF Endowment Council left to right:
      Maxim Bozhilov, Bulgarian Community; Lawrna Myers, CFWWIRF Researcher; Carola Lange, President, German Canadian Congress; Borys Sirskyj, CFWWIRF Chair; Kim Pawliw, Internee Descendant; Andrea Malysh, CFWWIRF Program Manager and Paul Migus, Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Photo courtesy of Andrea Malysh

      Call for Final Grant Applications to the CFWWIRF

      The CFWWIRF 15-year granting program will end on March 31, 2023. The Endowment Council is announcing a final call for grant submissions by September 1, 2022. Grant criteria and applications are available on the website: www.internmentcanada.ca

      About CFWWIRF
      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund was established to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of all the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      8,579 so-called "enemy aliens", including women and children, were interned, including Ukrainians, Alevi Kurds, Armenians, Bulgarians, Croatians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Jews, Ottoman Turks, Poles, Romanians, Russians, Serbians, Slovaks, and Slovenes, among others, of which most were Ukrainians and most were civilians.

      For more information on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,.
      
      [email protected]
      toll-free 1-866-524-5314
      www.internmentcanada.ca

      Photo credits:

      Top Photo 1
      Vernon Internment Camp monument
      CFWWIRF Endowment Council left to right:
      Paul Migus, Ukrainian Canadian Congress; Maxim Bozhilov, Bulgarian Community; Kim Pawliw, Internee Descendant; Borys Sirskyj, CFWWIRF Chair; Carola Lange, President, German Canadian Congress.
      Missing from photo: Boris Balan, Shevchenko Foundation, Roman Zakaluzny, Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Joseph Patrouch, Austrian Canadian Council.
      Photo courtesy of Andrea Malysh

      Photo 2
      Gallery Vertigo Official Opening of Pause in Plight by Kerri Parnell
      Left to Right:
      Paul Migus, CFWWIRF Endowment Council; Andrea Malysh, CFWWIRF Program Manager; Maxim Bozhilov, CFWWIRF Endowment Council; Carola Lange, CFWWIRF Endowment Council; Kerri Parnell, Artist, Pause in Plight; Borys Sirskyj, CFWWIRF Chair; Bohdana Bashuk, Shevchenko Foundation Executive Director; Kim Pawliw, CFWWIRF Endowment Council; Charlene Heidt representing Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu; Brigitte Red, Gallery Vertigo Executive Director; and Michelle Loughery, Wayfinder Sunflower Project.
      Photo courtesy of Gallery Vertigo

      Photo 3
      Vernon Internee Cemetery monument
      CFWWIRF Endowment Council left to right:
      Maxim Bozhilov, Bulgarian Community; Lawrna Myers, CFWWIRF Researcher; Carola Lange, President, German Canadian Congress; Borys Sirskyj, CFWWIRF Chair; Kim Pawliw, Internee Descendant; Andrea Malysh, CFWWIRF Program Manager and Paul Migus, Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
      Photo courtesy of Andrea Malysh

    • For immediate release – May 20, 2022

      GRANT OPPORTUNITY

      The Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) is requesting a professional researcher or researchers to collect, catalogue and prepare a finding aid and database of articles in Canadian ethnic newspapers reporting on the internments of 1914-1920. The internees were members of many different ethnic communities, including Hungarian, Turkish, German, Czech, Armenian, Serbian, Slovenian, Croatian, Ukrainian, Jewish, Slovak, Bulgarian, Romanian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, and Italian.

      This research project is meant to complement the existing materials drawn from English-language newspapers and is accessible through the Fund’s website: www.internmentcanada.ca

      The ideal candidate will have excellent research skills and knowledge of the internment operations. You will be capable of carrying out a wide range of activities such as appraisal, arrangement, description, creating reference guides and providing access to all records, in all formats (e.g. paper, electronic). You will comply with meeting of legal obligations in areas such as copyright, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Note that all relevant permissions for use of the collected materials on the CFWWIRF website must be obtained by the researcher.

      If this opportunity interests you, please submit an online grant application with an expected financial budget and your resume clearly demonstrating the qualifications below:

      • University degree in History or a related field,
      • Knowledge of one or more of the relevant languages,
      • Experience appraising, arranging and describing historical records such as newspapers.
      • Experience working with databases in the management and preservation of electronic records would be an asset.

      Application Deadline: June 30, 2022, with research and reporting completed by March 31, 2023.

      For any questions regarding this grant opportunity, Contact Joseph F. Patrouch, Endowment Council at (780) 492-4568 or email: [email protected].

      We thank all those who apply for your interest in Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914-1920.

    • For immediate release – January 17, 2022

      ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO THE ENDOWMENT COUNCIL OF THE CANADIAN FIRST WORLD WAR INTERNMENT RECOGNITION FUND (CFWWIRF)

      The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, Shevchenko Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Patrouch to the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.
  • 2021
    • Media Release
      For Immediate Release
      November 25, 2021

      Internment camp documentary looks at buried Canadian history

      Watch the film at https://youtu.be/JEXBrZG5kyg

      Over 100 years ago, Anne Sadelain's father was imprisoned at a First World War internment camp in B.C.'s Monashee Mountains.

      Today, a research centre at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) releases a documentary telling her story, and the story of an archaeologist uncovering the history of the Monashee camp.

      Dr. Sarah Beaulieu, UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) hub faculty associate, recently excavated the internment camp site with a group of volunteers — a project funded by the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF).

      “The Endowment Council of the CFWWIRF is pleased to learn of the newest findings of the Monashee Internment camp and artefacts recently uncovered by Dr. Sarah Beaulieu and her Team. By unearthing these artefacts it provides tangible evidence that this tragic page in Canada’s history happened over 100 years ago with the passing of the War Measures Act,” said CFWWIRF Chairman, Mr. Borys Sirskyj.

      The film — a venture also financed by the CFWWIRF — follows Beaulieu’s work at the site, and also includes internee-descendant Sadelain’s story.

      CHASI’s Visual Project Specialist, Greg Laychak, spent a week documenting the summer excavation and later visited Sadelain, the daughter of former internee Bill (Vasyl) Doskoch, in Edmonton for an interview.

      “Witnessing and recording the unearthing of history is such a privilege,” Laychak said. “But to me, talking to descendants first-hand and hearing their stories is the most important part of documentary work. Since few people can actually be at a dig, projects like this video are about transporting more folks into that experience, helping them feel that history.”

      Covering Beaulieu’s excavation project, the 16-minute film examines the process of an archaeological dig and why it is important for the recognition, redress, and historical archives of Canadian internment. Against the backdrop of the Monashee excavation site, the story also follows visitors to the dig, including CFWWIRF Program Manager, and researcher, Lawrna Myers. Both Malysh and Myers provide local and national historical context to the video through interviews, after which point the film transitions to Sadelain’s apartment where she draws the audience into the story of human cost and the living conditions of the camps. The viewer is with her while she looks through her own personal archives and relays memories of her father from her childhood and beyond.

      The narrative then returns to the Monashee site, where Myers discusses her own personal links to the story (her great grandfather supplied the camp) and explains the function of the camps in the Vernon region and surrounding area.

      The story concludes with the discovery of an entirely new section of the Monashee internment camp by Beaulieu and her team, and Malysh’s reflection on the importance of the archaeologist’s work in education, reconciliation and preventing repeated history.

      The project will serve as an educational piece, raising awareness of Canada’s First National Internment Operations of 1914 to 1920.

      Dr. Beaulieu and the student volunteers also provide an example of how the excavation process is used in a formal education setting, not only in the sense of an archaeology mentorship, but as in-depth topic knowledge acquisition. These young archaeologists receive a crash-course in British Columbian and Canadian First World War internment history, helping unearth the story as they learn.

      -----

      November 25, 2021 marks 16 years since Bill C-331, the Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act, passed in parliament. With it, Canada acknowledged that persons of Ukrainian origin were interned in Canada during World War I, which lead to the creation of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund for educational and commemorative projects.

      For more information about the film contact Greg Laychak — [email protected]

    • CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
      Click here for the application form (PDF).

      To All Affected Communities of Canada’s First National Internment Operations, 1914 to 1920

      During Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914-1920 thousands of men, women and children were branded as “enemy aliens.” Many were imprisoned. Stripped of what little wealth they had, forced to do heavy labour in Canada’s hinterlands, they were also disenfranchised and subjected to other state-sanctioned censures, not because of anything they had done but only because of where they had come from, who they were.

      In May 2008 the Ukrainian Canadian community and the Government of Canada reached an agreement establishing an Endowment called the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914–1920. The work of the Fund is overseen by the Endowment Council comprised of seven members and an internee descendent representative.

      To ensure appropriate representation on the Endowment Council, we encourage those organizations that represent the affected communities (other than Ukrainian) to nominate individuals that are knowledgeable about this period of Canada’s history. The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Endowment Council.

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking a representative from the affected communities. This appointment is for a one-year term.

      We invite you to submit the names of individuals along with their resumes by December 5, 2021.
      Please contact Program Manager for an application form.

      We also request that if you are an umbrella organization in your community, that you disseminate this information to your branches across Canada.

      Please submit names to:

      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund
      202- 952 Main Street
      Winnipeg, Manitoba
      R2W- 3P4

      Attention: Program Manager
      Or Email: [email protected]

      If you require more information please contact the Program Manager toll-free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • KOBZAR™ Book Award 2022 Shortlist Announced

      Winnipeg, October 7, 2021 – The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko is
      pleased to announce the shortlisted titles for the 2022 KOBZAR™ Book Award.

      Presented biennially, the $25,000 KOBZAR™ Book Award recognizes outstanding contributions
      to Canadian literary arts by authors who write on a topic with a tangible connection to the
      experiences of Ukrainian Canadians. As the Ukrainian community celebrates 130 years in
      Canada, the Ukrainian stories are limitless. KOBZAR™ Book Award entries can weave through
      fascinating moments in world history, acquaint us with the lives of both one and the many,
      introduce us to the challenges of different generations and waves of immigration. Ultimately,
      they paint a picture of a people that proudly continues to shape the Canada we know today.

      Distinctive to this Award is monetary recognition for both the winner and the winner’s
      publisher.

      This year’s jury, Kerry Clare (49th Shelf), Laisha Rosnau (Author and winner of the KOBZAR™
      Book Award 2020), and Ben Sigurdson (Winnipeg Free Press), is very excited to include on the
      shortlist a novel, a graphic novel, and a book of poetry – three styles of literature as diverse as
      the Ukrainian Canadian experiences which the KOBZAR™ Book Award strives to recognize.

      The shortlisted titles for the 2022 KOBZAR™ Book Award are:

      Enemy Alien: A True Story of Life Behind Barbed Wire

      by Kassandra Luciuk
      illustrator Nicole Marie Burton

      Between the Lines 2020
         

      Fields of Light and Stone

      by Angeline Schellenberg

      University of Alberta Press 2020
         

      Good Citizens Need Not Fear

      by Maria Reva

      Knopf Canada 2020

      The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko is a national, chartered philanthropic
      institution dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of the Ukrainian
      Canadian cultural heritage. In building and sustaining a permanent endowment fund, the
      Foundation strengthens the Ukrainian community in Canada and enriches the Canadian
      experience with the beauty, passion, and diversity of Ukrainian Canadian culture.

      The 2022 KOBZAR™ Book Award will be presented on March 24, 2022, at a ceremony in
      Winnipeg, Manitoba.

      For more information, contact:

      Bohdana Bashuk, Executive Director
      p. (204) 944-9128
      e. [email protected]

      Irka Mycak
      Communications and Community Relations Officer
      p. 416-919-6566
      e. [email protected]




    • UCC launches new campaign to promote awareness of First World War Internment

      October 1, 2021. OTTAWA, ON. Today the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) launched an Internment Education Campaign . This campaign will reach thousands of Canadians on various media platforms with emphasis on mobile devices and social media.

      The campaign will promote awareness of First World War Internment Operations using a series of innovative video ads and still images that will be featured on social media and with BellMedia.

      “We have adapted creatively to seek new audiences and engage online to promote awareness about the First World War Internment,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “This innovative campaign will run throughout October, in the lead up to October 28, National Internment Education Day.”



      From 1914-1920, 8,579 Ukrainians and other Europeans, who were branded ‘enemy aliens’ were imprisoned in 24 internment camps across Canada. Men, women, and children suffered during Canada’s First National Internment Operations, not because of anything they had done, but only because of who they were and where they had come from.

      This campaign is funded by the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF), which supports projects to commemorate and recognize the experiences of ethno-cultural communities affected by First World War Internment.

      “The Internment Recognition Fund is committed to the ensuring that the long-forgotten story of Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920 is rightfully placed in our nation’s history,” said Borys Sirskyj, CFWWIRF Chair.

      The CFWWIRF was established to support commemorative and educational projects that recall the unjust internment of 8,579 so-called “enemy aliens”. The affected ethno-cultural communities include Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Croatians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Jews, various people from the Ottoman Empire, Polish, Romanians, Russians, Serbians, Slovaks, Slovenes, among others, of which most were Ukrainians.

      Since the inception of the CFWWIRF, over $5M has been approved in grants which include educational resources for teachers, an Augmented Reality Map and an online digital map which houses The Camps webseries along with over 12,000 newspaper articles.

      To learn more about this project, please click here to visit the UCC's website.

      This project has been made possible by a grant from the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.

    • For immediate release.

      Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund lends support to investigations into residential schools with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) unit

      Winnipeg, July 15, 2021 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) joins Indigenous communities and all Canadians in mourning the loss of thousands of innocent children at Canada’s residential schools.

      In support of the continued investigations into these deaths, CFWWIRF is pleased to have provided its Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) unit to assist in locating potential unmarked burials at two Indian Residential School (IRS) sites in British Columbia. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation requested that Dr. Sarah Beaulieu of the University of Fraser Valley use GPR to assist in locating potential unmarked graves near the Kamloops Residential School. Dr. Beaulieu has also surveyed an additional IRS site but due to confidentiality is unable to disclose that location.

      For the full Media Release, click here.

      About CFWWIRF

      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund was established in 2008 within the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko to support commemorative, educational, scholarly and cultural projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of all the ethnocultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920. Since its inception, over $4 million in grants have been awarded in an effort to shed light on this tragic yet little-known chapter in Canadian history.

      For more information on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund
      contact the Program Manager,, at [email protected]
      or toll free at 1-866-524-5314.
      www.internmentcanada.ca

    • For immediate release – April 12, 2021

      ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW INTERNEE DESCENDANT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ENDOWMENT COUNCIL OF THE CANADIAN FIRST WORLD WAR INTERNMENT RECOGNITION FUND (CFWWIRF)

      The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, Shevchenko Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Pawliw as the Internee Descendant Representative of the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.
  • 2020
    • To All Internee Descendants of Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking an internee descendant representative for March 2021 to March 2022. This appointment is for a one year fixed term. The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Internee Descendant Endowment Council position. (Non-voting)

      We invite you to complete this form along with your resume by January 31, 2021.

    • For immediate release – November 12, 2020

      APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIR OF THE ENDOWMENT COUNCIL OF       THE CANADIAN FIRST WORLD WAR INTERNMENT RECOGNITION FUND (CFWWIRF)

      The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, Shevchenko Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Borys Sirskyj (Ottawa) as Chair of the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.

      About CFWWIRF
      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund was established to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of all the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      For more information on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund
      contact the Program Manager,, at [email protected]
      or toll free at 1-866-524-5314.
      www.internmentcanada.ca

    • National Internment Education Day
      October 28th

      October 28th is National Internment Education Day, commemorating Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914-1920.

      The Endowment Council is pleased to offer its newest project, “Discovering Canadian WW1 Internment”, an augmented reality digital map to educate Canadians about this tragic page in Canada’s history, to schools, educators and museums across Canada.

      This project has delivered an immersive, accessible Augmented Reality (AR) exhibit that brings to life the history of Canada’s first national internment operations. 360 Story Lab has created an AR map of Canada printed on heavy vinyl. The map includes small visual icons, or “targets” that are recognized by the AR software program and activate the AR experience.

      To obtain the vinyl AR Map in English or French, please contact the CFWWIRF Program Manager,.

    • Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation is proud to launch,
      Pause in Plight
      at KUMF Gallery on September 13, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

      Toronto, Canada – Pause in Plight, a 17-piece art exhibit, created by artist, Kerri Parnell reveals the Canadian WW1 national security fears and wartime prejudice, which led to the internment of more than 8,000 men, women and children primarily of Ukrainian and Eastern European descent deemed as "enemy aliens".

      KUMF Gallery is pleased to host an introduction by the artist, Kerri Parnell, and special remarks at an outdoor commemoration by guest speaker, Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk on Sunday, September 13, 2020 @ 1:00 p.m.

      KUMF Gallery will house, Pause in Plight from September 13 to October 11, 2020.




    • NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE CFWWIRF ENDOWMENT COUNCIL
      AUGUST 5, 2020

    • CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

      The Shevchenko Foundation is currently calling for submission for the position of Chair of the       Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking a representative from the affected communities.

    • For immediate release

      Commemorating 100 Years of the end of Canada’s First National Internment Operations, 1914 to 1920.

      ( Winnipeg) – June 20, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      The EC CFWWIRF encourages all the affected ethno-cultural communities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of Canada’s first national internment operations within their communities on June 20, 2020. These cross-Canada events will honour those who were imprisoned, stripped of their wealth, forced to do heavy labour and disenfranchised.

      “Although the internees are no longer with us, acts of recognition such as these commemoration events will honor their memory, their sacrifice and their devotion to Canada,” said Harasymiw. “We will remember all of the men, women and children needlessly imprisoned during Canada’s first national internment operations, especially on this occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of the internment.”

      About CFWWIRF
      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund was established to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of all the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      For more information on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, at [email protected] or toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • To All Internee Descendants of Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      During Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to1920 thousands of men, women and children were branded as “enemy aliens.” Many were imprisoned. Stripped of what little wealth they had, forced to do heavy labour in Canada’s hinterlands, they were also disenfranchised and subjected to other state sanctioned censures not because of anything they had done but only because of where they had come from, who they were.

      In May 2008 the Ukrainian Canadian community and the Government of Canada reached an agreement establishing an endowment fund called the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920. The work of the Fund is overseen by the Endowment Council comprised of seven members and an internee descendant representative. (Non-voting position)

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking an internee descendant representative for April 2020 to March 2021. This appointment is for a one year fixed term. The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Internee Descendant Endowment Council position. (Non-voting)

      We invite you to complete the attached form along with your resume by February 28, 2020. 

      Please click here for the English application form (PDF).
      Please click here for the French application form (PDF).

      Please submit to:

      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund
      202- 952 Main Street
      Winnipeg, Manitoba
      R2W 3P4
      Attention: Program Manager
      Email: [email protected]

  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
    • For immediate release – November 21, 2017
      CFWWIRF HOSTS ROCKY MOUNTAIN PREMIER OF THAT NEVER HAPPENED DOCUMENTARY BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      BANFF, ALBERTA – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) hosted the Rocky Mountain Premier of the award winning internment documentary, “That Never Happened: Canada’s First National Internment Operations” on Friday, November 17, 2017 at the Cave & Basin National Historic Site, one of the 24 First World War Internment Camps.

      Internment directly impacted 8,579 so called “enemy aliens” including, among others, Ukrainians, Croatians, Armenians, Bulgarians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Macedonians, Polish, Romanians, Russians, Serbians, Slovaks, Slovenes, Turks and others from the Ottoman Empire, of which most were Ukrainians and most were civilians.

      The Endowment Council of the CFWWIRF is working hard on shedding light on this tragic yet little known chapter in our Canadian history. Since the inception of our Fund back in 2008, the Endowment Council has awarded over $3 million in grants. Grant projects include: historical exhibits, awareness campaigns and presentations, commemorative plaques and statues, internee cemeteries, films, historical research, artistic endeavors, symposiums, and educational resources, among others.

      The CFWWIRF provided a grant to Ryan Boyko of Armistice Films in support of “The Camps” webseries and the documentary, “That Never Happened” which focuses on one of the dark chapters of our Canadian history.


      Mr Emil Yereniuk, Chair of the Canadian
      First World War Internment Recognition Fund.
      Photo courtesy of Andrea Malysh.

      CFWWIRF Chair, Mr. Emil Yereniuk stated during his opening remarks, “On behalf of the Endowment Council, I would like to thank the Parks Canada for providing this venue for the Rocky Mountain Premier. The Cave & Basin internment exhibit on this site ensures that visitors will learn of the effects of the War Measures Act and its crippling legacy 100 years after it was first implemented. It also represents an important contribution to remembering, commemorating and recognizing the historic injustice suffered by thousands of innocent people and to learning from our Canadian history as ensuring that a similar tragedy not be repeated again.”

      The film screening at this symbolic location was shown on 4 giant screens to a packed house. Included in the VIP guest list was the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, Board of Directors and internee descendants, of whom are highlighted in the film. Mr. Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C., President of the Shevchenko Foundation, spoke during the Q&A session with Ryan Boyko and co-Producer, Diana Cofini. Mr. Hladyshevsky described to the audience the negotiation process with the Government of Canada and the signing of the agreement with the Shevchenko Foundation on May 9, 2008 at Stanley Barracks, a former internee receiving station in Toronto. He commented to the audience that, “During the seven years of negotiations with 3 Canadian Prime Ministers; 6 Ministers of Heritage; 5 Secretaries of State for Multiculturalism and 7 Directors for Multiculturalism, we were able to achieve an honourable settlement with the creation of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund. I believe we have begun to honor the memory of the men, women and children who were imprisoned or had their civil rights abused during Canada’s First National Internment Operations.”


      Shevchenko Foundation Board of Directors
      Left to right: Oryssia Lennie, CM, Orest Sklierenko, Wallace Shoemay, Lidia Narozniak,
      Adrian Boyko, Diana Cofini and Ryan Boyko of Armistice Films, Irka Mycak;
      Gordon Gordey and Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C.
      Photo courtesy of Trevor Shular      .

      Actor/Writer/Producer Ryan Boyko researched Canada’s First National Internment Operations in 2010 and in the fall of 2015, Ryan and the crew of Armistice Films embarked upon an historical journey. Armed with professional cinema cameras, four film professionals set out to document the remains of all of the internment camps used during Canada’s First National Internment Operations from 1914 to 1920. The idea behind “The Camps” was to create 26 mini films that are structured like a web-series creating short documentaries with a cinematic feature film style.   At the end of this cross-Canada adventure, the team has completed 33 episodes of “The Camps” featuring various affected communities, internee descendants, Military, Police and Scholars.

      Ryan Boyko is the Founder and President of Armistice Films. As a Producer/Writer/Director he created the series “The Camps”. The series premiered on September 8th 2016, it has since been seen in 174 countries around the world with over 100,000 views and counting. “The Camps” garnered 2 prestigious awards, The IndieFest Award of Merit with Special Mention and an award of Recognition from the Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival.

      Ryan Boyko has also written a historically approved feature film screenplay on internment called “Enemy Aliens.” The Ukrainian State Film Agency has chosen the movie “Enemy Aliens” to receive its largest grant and over one third of the movie’s budget is now secured.  Ryan Boyko and co-Producer, Diana Cofini is currently in talks with numerous Canadian and International Production and Distribution companies to help finance the remainder.

      The Documentary, “THAT NEVER HAPPENED” reveals the story of Canada's first national internment operations between 1914 - 1920, when over 88,000 people were forced to register and more than 8,500 were wrongfully imprisoned in concentration camps across Canada, not for anything they had done but because of where they came from. In 1954, the public records were destroyed and in the 1980s a few brave men and women began working to reclaim this chapter in history and ensure future generations would know about it.

      To date, “That Never Happened” has won 5 Film Festival awards:
      10° Hotter - Best Documentary - Valley Film Festival LA
      People’s Choice Award - Bay Street Film Festival
      Best Documentary - Festival Vues du Monde - Montreal
      Best Investigative Documentary - Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA)
      Silver Award - Best Documentary - Spotlight Documentary Film Awards - Atlanta, GA

      The CFWWIRF digital map on its website contains “The Camps” webseries along with over 10,000 digitized news articles dating from 1914 to 1920 that describes the opinion of the time and presents the hardship unjustly endured by new immigrants who were invited to Canada and then had their civil and human rights taken away by the War Measures Act. The Camps DVD’s are now available for purchase on the Armistice Films website, www.armisticefilms.com.

      About CFWWIRF
      The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) was established to support projects that commemorate and recognize the experiences of all of the ethno-cultural communities affected by Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.

      For more information on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #16 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – April 20, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #16 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago sixteen people died at the Spirit Lake Internment camp including six children. Fourteen are buried in the Spirit Lake cemetery which has been allowed to fall into ruin.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #16 – Ottawa, Ontario
      In the series finale, Internee Descendant Jerry Bayrak gives a powerful, heartfelt account of his family’s struggle, resulting from their internment in Spirit Lake.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Spirit Lake

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #15 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – April 13, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #15 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      The Redress Campaign to seek recognition for this tragic page in Canada’s history took over 20 years.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #15 – Ottawa, Ontario
      Three decades after the destruction of records, Andrew Hladyshevsky began his mission to persuade the Canadian government to recognize the First World War Internment Operations.  Andrew speaks about his journey and all of those involved in the process of recognizing and commemorating this previously lost chapter of history.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Ottawa

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #14 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – April 6, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #14 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Bill C-331 Internment of Person of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act received Royal Accent on November 25, 2005.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #14 – Ottawa, Ontario
      Retired Member of Parliament Inky Mark recounts the multi-year journey from learning about Canada's First National Internment Operations to enshrining in legislature Bill C-331. Inky speaks from Dauphin, Manitoba which was his former riding.

      Link:       http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Ottawa

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #13 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – March 30, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #13 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      John Boxtel internment statues can be viewed at Spirit Lake, Quebec; Kapuskasing, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba and Castle Mountain, Alberta internment sites, among others.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #13 – Kingston, Ontario
      Prolific Dutch-Canadian Sculptor John Boxtel gives a candid interview in his studio in Napanee, Ontario, and shares how he ended up creating the sculptures which mark several internment camps across Canada

      Link:       http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Kingston

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #12 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – March 23, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #12 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario was the first internment camp to open.

      S      YNOPSIS OF EPISODE #12 – Kingston, Ontario
      Prof. Lubomyr Luciuk speaks about how he first learned of the internment operations that occurred at Fort Henry, in Kingston Ontario.  Prof. Peter Goheen speaks to the importance of memory.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Kingston

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #11 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – March 16, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #11 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago 13 registration centres, including one at the Montreal Immigration building were established for the registration of so called, enemy aliens.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #11 – Montreal, Quebec
      Internee descendants Pierre and Kim Pawliw visit St. Michael’s Cathedral in Montreal where an entire congregation was rounded up during Sunday mass, and sent to Spirit Lake Internment Camp in Northern Quebec. Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Montreal

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #10 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – March 9, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #10 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Castle Mountain internment camp quickly became the harshest and most notorious due to the ill treatment of the prisoners.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #10 – Castle Mountain, Alberta
      A re-release of our Pilot episode, Terry Mialkowsky walks through the remains of Castle Mountain internment camp, where his grandfather suffered some of the worst camp conditions.

      Link:       http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Castle Mountain

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #9 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – March 2, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #9 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Cave & Basin internment camp in Banff was opened. Forced labour was used for park development to enhance access to Rocky Mountains National Park as well as its appeal to the general public.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #9 – Banff, Alberta
      Internee descendant Walter Gerdts returns to the Banff Cave and Basin Museum on the location where his father was wrongfully imprisoned during Canada’s First National Internment Operations.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Banff

      Thank you to everyone who has been watching the series.  The Camps has Won 2 Awards.
      Indie Fest - Award of Merit: Special Mention
      Hollywood International Motion Pictures Film Festival - Award of Recognition

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • To All Affected Communities of Canada’s first national internment operations, 1914 to 1920,

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking two representatives from the affected communities. These appointments are for a two year fixed term, July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019.

      We invite you to submit names of individuals along with their resumes by May 15, 2017. Click here for an application form.

      To ensure appropriate representation on the Endowment Council, we encourage those organizations that represent the affected communities (other than Ukrainian) to nominate individuals that are knowledgeable about this period of Canada’s history.  The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Endowment Council.

      We also request that if you are an umbrella organization in your community, that you disseminate this information to your branches across Canada. 

      If you require more information please contact the Program Manager toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #8 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – February 23, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #8 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Monashee internment camp was established to build a connecting road through the Monashee Mountains to open  up the Okanagan. In this episode you can see the Highway built by internees during WW1.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #8 – Monashee, British Columbia
      Lawrna Myers and cousin Charlotte Myers Hanaghan walks through the remains of the Monashee internment camp.  Descendants of a local farmer, they share how the internment operations affected their family a hundred years ago.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Monashee

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #7 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – February 16, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #7 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg, Manitoba was established as a receiving station for the internment operations.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #7 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
      Peter Melnycky walks the halls of the Manitoba Legislature, steps away from where the "enemy alien" receiving station stood a hundred years ago. Peter recalls the moment he learned of Canada's First National Internment Operations.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Winnipeg

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #6 THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – February 9, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #6 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      100 years ago this week the Jasper Internment Camp Opened.
      200 prisoners were transferred from Brandon internment camp to build roads but a hunger strike and work stoppage followed by numerous escapes led to its closure 6 months later.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #6 – Jasper, Alberta
      Author Marsha Skrypuch explores the remains of Jasper's Internment camp. A camp from which her grandfather escaped during WW1.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Jasper

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #5, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – February 2, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #5 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      100 years ago the Halifax Citadel held prisoners of war. The Citadel was a convenient location for those mariners either captured at sea or brought by ship to Halifax from other corners of the empire.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #5 – Halifax, Nova Scotia
      The Halifax Citadel was fortified in 1749. It is a National Historic site with a rich and dynamic history. 100 years ago The Halifax Citadel held prisoners of war. Learn about these Enemy Aliens, where they were housed and the Citadel’s encounter with Leon Trotsky.
      Narrated by: Diana Cofini

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Halifax

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #4, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – January 26, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #4 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Between 1914 and 1920 thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans were branded as “enemy aliens” and needlessly imprisoned during Canada’s first national internment operations.

      S      YNOPSIS OF EPISODE #4 – Paul Grod, Ukrainian Canadian Congress
      Paul Grod discusses how he found out about the Internment of Ukrainians in Canada during WW1 and the part he played in having it officially acknowledged by the Canadian government.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Ottawa

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #3, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – January 19, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #3 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Kapuskasing internment camp opened.
      The first ninety-three enemy alien prisoners of war were immediately put to work building barracks and hand-cutting timber into logs.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #3 – Kapuskasing, Ontario
      Julie Latimer shares the stories behind Internee artifacts curated by The Ron Morel Memorial Museum in Kapuskasing. Frank Jankac shares his journey of commemoration and his efforts to rededicate the Kapuskasing Internee Cemetery.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Kapuskasing

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • MEDIA RELEASE: TO INTERNEE DESCENDANTS OF CANADA’S FIRST NATIONAL INTERNMENT OPERATIONS OF 1914 TO 1920.

      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking an internee descendant representative for April 2017 to March 2018. This appointment is for a one year fixed term. The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Internee Descendant Endowment Council position. (Non-voting)

      Please submit the completed application form to:
      CFWWIRF
      Program Manager
      Email: [email protected]

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #2, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – January 12, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #2 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago this week the Sault Ste. Marie internment camp opened at White Fish Island.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #2 – Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
      Cathy Beaudette recalls her one woman mission to prove that there was a WW1 Internment Camp in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Sault Ste. Marie

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS SEASON 2, EPISODE #1, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – January 5, 2017 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 2 - Episode #1 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Fernie Internment Camp opened. Tom Uphill was elected as Fernie’s mayor in 1915. Mayor Uphill personally did not feel that there was justification for the internment of Austro-Hungarians, and many of those that would be interned at Morrissey were personal friends of the Mayor’s.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #1 – Fernie, British Columbia
      Daniel Ste-Marie recalls how he first stumbled upon the Internment camp in Fernie.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Fernie

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

  • 2016
    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #17, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – December 29, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #17 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      100 years ago the Munson Internment Camp opened.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #17 – Beauport, Quebec
      Officer Cadet Veronique Dion retraces the steps of internees at Beauport Armoury in Quebec.  
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Beauport

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #16, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – December 22, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #16 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      100 years ago the Munson Internment Camp opened.
      From the Morrissey internment camp, a group of 65 was sent to work on the Goose Line Railway near Munson, Alberta.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #16 – Munson, Alberta
      Dr. Bohdan Kordan retraces the steps of internees at Munson Internment Camp in Alberta. 
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Munson

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #15, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – December 15, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #15 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago today the Niagara Falls Internment Camp opened. The armoury held enemy aliens after their arrest at the Canada - USA Border crossings.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #15 – Niagara Falls, Ontario
      Niagara Military Museum volunteers Sarah Stewart, Kathy Doherty and Berndt Meyer, retrace the steps of internees at Niagara Falls Internment Camp in Ontario. 
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Niagara Falls.

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #14, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – December 8, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #14 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago this week the Petawawa Internment Camp opened.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #14 – Petawawa, Ontario
      Captain Jeremy Mathews retraces the steps of internees at Petawawa Internment Camp in Ontario. 

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Petawawa

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #13, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – December 1, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #13 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      O      ver 100 years ago the Amherst Internment Camp was the largest prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Canada. The most famous internee at Amherst was the Russian revolutionary, Leon Trotsky.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #13 – Amherst, Nova Scotia
      Internee Descendant Anne Clarke tells the story of Amherst Internment Camp, which became one of the largest in Canada. A former RCMP officer, she shares her personal journey of discovering her grandfather had been wrongfully interned during WWI.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Amherst

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #12, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – November 24, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #12 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      100 years ago this week the Edgewood Internment Camp closed. Internees labored at building Highway #6 to open up the Kootenays to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #12 – Edgewood, British Columbia
      John Gregorovich sheds light on the socio economic climate in Western Canada in the years leading up to the first internment operations and recalls the memory of internees at the Edgewood Internment Camp.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Edgewood

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #11, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – November 17, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #11 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Nanaimo mines were shut down as a way to diffuse the labour tension and all so-called “enemy aliens” were arrested and sent to the Nanaimo Internment Camp.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #11 – Nanaimo, British Columbia
      Father Theo Machinski and Internee Descendant Paulette MacQuarrie each share their discoveries of the Nanaimo Internment Camp in British Columbia.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Nanaimo

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,
      toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #10, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – November 10, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #10 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Yoho Internment Camp was opened for the purpose of using forced labour to cut down timber in an effort to generate revenue.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #10 – Yoho National Park, British Columbia
      Bradley Bischoff retraces the steps of internees in Yoho National Park and recounts his time as a

      Parks Canada Park Warden which inspired the song Ghosts in the Trees.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Yoho National Park

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #9, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – November 3, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #9 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Revelstoke Internment camp opened in an effort to use cheap labour to create national parks.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #9 – Revelstoke, British Columbia
      Museum Curator Cathy English tells the story of Mount Revelstoke Internment Camp in British Columbia.

      Link:       http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Revelstoke

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #8, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – October 27, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #8 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago this week the Valcartier Internment camp closed.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #8 – Valcartier, Quebec
      Captain Julie Brouillette retraces the steps of internees at Base Valcartier Internment Camp near Quebec City.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Valcartier

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #7, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – October 20, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #7 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      98 years ago this week the Morrissey Internment camp closed.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #7 – Morrissey, British Columbia
      Archeologist Sarah Beaulieu researches the cemetery in Morrissey where internees were buried during the internment operations.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Morrissey

    • BOOK LAUNCH OF NO FREE MAN: CANADA, THE GREAT WAR, AND THE ENEMY ALIEN EXPERIENCE BY DR. BOHDAN S. KORDAN

      The book launch of Bohdan Kordan’s No Free Man: Canada, the Great War, and the Enemy Alien Experience will take place at Saskatoon’s McNally Robinson Booksellers on Thursday, October 27, 7:00 pm. The launch is part of a national speaking tour that will include presentations in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, Victoria, and Ottawa. 

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #6, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – October 13, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #6 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago the Eaton Internment camp opened.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #6 – Eaton, Saskatchewan
      Dr. Bohdan Kordan retraces the steps of internees at what was the Eaton Internment Camp and is now the Eaton Memorial and Saskatchewan Railway Museum.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Eaton

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #5, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – October 6, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #5 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      1      00 years ago this week, the Toronto Internment Receiving Station at Stanley Barracks closed.

      S       YNOPSIS OF EPISODE #5 – Toronto, Ontario
      Professor Lubomyr Luciuk retraces the steps of internees at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto, Ontario and discusses the Redress Campaign signed at Stanley Barracks.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Toronto

      For more information on this webseries of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #4, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – September 29, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #4 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago this week, the Lethbridge Internment camp opened.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #4 – Lethbridge, Alberta
      100 years ago Bill Szabons' grandfather was interned. Bill retraces the steps of internees at the Lethbridge internment camp now the Lethbridge Exhibition.
      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Lethbridge

      For more information on this webseries contact the program manager, 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #3, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – September 22, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces release of Season 1 - Episode #3 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago today, the Brandon Internment camp opened.

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #3 – Brandon, Manitoba
      Chief of Police Ian Grant has built a 36-year career protecting civil rights and the safety of civilians. The Brandon Police Services building now stands on the site where hundreds of innocent men were interned.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Brandon

      The Camps is a Cross-Canada journey that looks at all 24 concentration camps in Canada when over 8,500 people were wrongfully imprisoned from 1914 - 1920. Hear from internee descendants, Archeologists, Scholars and Military on why these internment operations are relevant today, over 100 years later.

    • CFWWIRF UNVEILS EPISODE #2, THE CAMPS WEBSERIES
      BY RYAN BOYKO OF ARMISTICE FILMS.

      WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – September 15, 2016 – The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) announces releases episode #2 of The Camps webseries located on the digital interactive map on its website - www.internmentcanada.ca.

      Over 100 years ago this week the Vernon Internment camp opened. It was one of the largest and longest-running camps closing 18 months following Armistice.

      The episodes are short, easily digestible, educational/entertainment tools.
      The series will also be shared on Facebook and other social media sites.
      The link to the digital map can be found at http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm

      SYNOPSIS OF EPISODE #2 - Vernon
      Glenda Kohse’s uncle spent the first 6 years of his life behind barbed wire. Award Winning Mural Artist and Art Educator, Michelle Loughery speaks about the importance of Art in remembering history.

      Link: http://internmentcanada.ca/map.cfm - Click on Vernon

      For more information on this resource or the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund contact the Program Manager,, toll free at 1-866-524-5314.

    • CFWWIRF Unveils Webseries, The Camps by Ryan Boyko of Armistice Films.

    • No Free Man | McGill-Queen's University Press
      By Dr. Kordan Bohdan
      An exploration of the "enemy alien" experience in Canada during the Great War

    • MEDIA RELEASE: To All Affected Communities of Canada's first national internment operations, 1914 to 1920 The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking two representatives from the affected communities to sit on the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF.) These appointments are for a two year fixed term, July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018.

    • CFWWIRF Unveils Educational Digital Map with Links to Over 1,000 Newspaper Articles Dealing with Canada's First National Internment Operations of 1914 to 1920

    • Call For Submissions for Internee Descendant Endowment Council Position
      The Board of Directors of the Shevchenko Foundation is currently seeking an internee descendant representative for April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

      This appointment is for a one year fixed term. The submitted names will be considered as potential candidates for the Internee Descendant Endowment Council position. (Non-voting)

      Click here for full details and application in English.
      Click here for full details and application in French.

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Toll Free: 1-866-524-5314
Email: [email protected]

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