Doukhobors in Canada

The Canadian government was initially sympathetic to the Doukhobors and in 1899 made exceptions to its homesteading law to allow the sect to settle communally in Saskatchewan province on land provided free by the State. But in 1906, the new Canadian Minister of the Interior, Frank Oliver, forced through changes that required the Doukhobors to take out separate homesteads, to individually claim title, to pledge an oath of allegiance to the British Crown and to become naturalized citizens. The Doukhobors suspected this would infringe on their beliefs and eventually end their exemption from military service.

In 1907, the new regulations were enforced and 2,500 Doukhobor homesteads were cancelled. This led to a split in the Canadian Doukhobor community. The majority – The Community – followed Peter Verigin to the West Kootenays in British Columbia, where they settled on 2,700 acres of land they named Fructova [Valley of Fruit], purchased in the name of Peter Verigin. A second group – the Sons of Freedom – went to British Columbia with Verigin, but adhered to a policy of civil disobedience and even active resistance in order that the community might return to more traditional ways. The third group – the Independents – chose to comply with the new homestead requirements, stayed behind in Saskatchewan and gradually became somewhat assimilated.

The British Columbia settlers (located near Grand Forks) developed large communal enterprises (jams, jellies and honey), lived communally and practiced their beliefs openly. Over 50 villages were initially established in the early part of the 20th century. Over time, however, as young people left and modern life invaded, the number of villages dwindled. Today there are fewer than 20 remaining. By the end of World War II, communal living had disappeared and assimilation into larger Canadian society was the norm.