logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
New exhibition chronicles dark history, bright future of Ukrainians in Jasper
Arts & Culture, Community, Jasper History, News
By Oksana Polivchak
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
New exhibition chronicles dark history, bright future of Ukrainians in Jasper

A new exhibition in the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives (JYMA) details the complex history of the Ukrainian diaspora living in Jasper.

Ukrainians in Jasper: Past and Present, is a reflection on the circle of life, shared history, and cultural and community values of Ukrainians in Jasper.

Along what’s now called Old Fort Point Road was the location of an internment camp for so-called ‘enemy aliens’ in 1916. // Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives

The way the first Ukrainians came to Jasper is a dark side of Canada’s history that many Jasperites don’t fully appreciate. In March 1916, along with other Eastern Europeans, Ukrainians living in the area were imprisoned in labour camps. It was a bleak time, a time when the government of Canada reclassified immigrants from countries that Canada was at war with as “enemy aliens.” These men, who numbered 208 in the Jasper Internment Camp, had their civil rights stripped away.

The Jasper Internment Camp closed in August of 1916; and all but 22 of Jasper’s 208 internees were paroled to work in the railways, at coal mines, and on various farms around Alberta. The newly-released internees never received an apology or even really any kind of acknowledgement or explanation of what had happened. According to the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, their experiences were to disappear entirely from Canadians’ public consciousness for the next 50 years. Life went on, and new immigrants arrived to Alberta. They were looking for a place where they could settle and build their destiny.

Jasperites showed their support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. // Bob Covey

More than a century after the Canadian government turned its back on immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Jasper has again became a refuge for many people from Ukraine. In 2023, Ukrainians are defending their homeland from a war of Russian aggression, and today, through Ukrainians in Jasper: Past and Present, the JYMA is celebrating a pocket of Canadian diversity and inclusion set in the Rocky Mountains.

The exhibition has small artifacts: Ukrainians towels (ryshnuku), paints, stamps and elements of dowries are among the many interesting artifacts from which we can glean details of Ukrainian life. Many Ukrainians venerate Theotokos—Our Most Holy Lady—and pray to her for the safety of those serving in the defence of their country. This work is from iconographer Oleksandr Klymenko of Kyiv, Ukraine and was donated to the JYMA’s exhibition by the Ukrainian diaspora in Edmonton.

Ukrainians living in Jasper have have one more feature they hope museum patrons will take away from their viewing of the exhibition—their gratitude. The story of many Ukrainians in Jasper started with a Facebook post by Jasperite Nancy Addison. She has since become the Ukrainian community’s biggest champion and guide.

Members of the Ukrainian diaspora expressing their gratitude to the people of Jasper during the opening of Ukrainians in Jasper: Past and Present. // Supplied

From the Municipality of Jasper, Ukrainians have received support and a warm welcome. Mayor Richard Ireland was in attendance at the opening of Ukrainians: Past and Present and to him we would like to say a huge thank you.

The Ukrainian community’s “angel” helper, Jasper Settlement Services’ Danel Cooke, has been critical in helping Ukrainians get their bearings. Ukrainians living in Jasper thank Danel for her patience, understanding and support in all matters—personal, legal and for organizing workshops and support groups which have been so important for newcomers.

Danel Cooke, seen here at last winter’s Learn To Skate program, is Jasper’s Settlement Services worker. // Jasper Local file

As well, the Jasper Employment and Education Centre has been invaluable for their ability to host workshops and help with job-finding—helping create CVs, and organizing English language courses. Another thank you goes to the Thrift store and Jasper United Church for help with outfitting our community with clothes, household items, food and other necessities.

Oksana Polivchak and the Jasper United Church’s Wayne Kennedy. // Supplied

From all Ukrainians living with host families, a huge thank you to those Jasperites who have opened your hearts and homes for us, for all your help with settlement and support, and for your unmatched kindness.

Ukrainians in Jasper: Past and Present runs until September 15 at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives.


Oksana Polivchak // info@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Festival of Trees spreading its branches
Community
Festival of Trees spreading its branches
Oksana Polivchak 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
One of Jasper’s favourite Christmas events is underway. The 23rd annual Festival of Trees celebration, presented by the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and A...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Latest ›
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
News
Yellowhead Lake fire extinguished
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A small (0.5 hectare) wildfire near Yellowhead Lake, just outside of Jasper National Park's west border with B.C., has been extinguished. At 7 p.m. on...
this is a test
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
News
What to expect when visiting Jasper this summer
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalsim Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Monday, May 26, 2025
"It's a really incredible time to visit Jasper, to bear witness to a large natural disaster and to see what it means for the ecology of the park and t...
this is a test
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Arts & Culture
Jam for Jasper at the Banff Springs
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 23, 2025
Jasperites encouraged to attend wildfire resilience event A live music event, a rally cry, a celebration of resilience, a reckoning. An artist’s state...
this is a test
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Alberta Politics
Alberta’s caribou conundrum
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For 40 years, the province has put industry ahead of endangered species Is the Alberta government hell-bent on eliminating what remains of the two car...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Slow Pitch, fast friends

News, Sports

Most Read ›
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Latest ›
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Health
What lies beneath: Outhouses, rabies and their adorable, unfortunate connection
Andrea Ziegler 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Earlier this year, Jasper Local publisher Andrea Ziegler skied into a backcountry cabin with her husband and a group of friends. She was not expecting...
this is a test
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Community
Railroaders’ eligible residency discussed by council, CN
Bob Covey 
Monday, June 9, 2025
The fate of longterm Canadian National (CN) employees based in Jasper whose reporting terminal is being relocated is being discussed by local official...
this is a test
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
News
RCMP charge Hintonites after seizure of fentanyl
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Two residents of Hinton have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. In January 2025, acting on informa...
this is a test
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Business
SunDog wins bid for regional transit service
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Regional service is intended to support wildfire-displaced Jasperites unable to live in the townsite Jasper council voted unanimously on Tuesday (June...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local