In 1899, the sweep of a religious ideal came to the wide prairies of western Canada.

Russian Doukhobors fled their homeland and settled in the Blaine Lake area of Saskatchewan, Canada.

They adapted to the harshness of their environment by digging into the North Saskatchewan River ravine, where they built a dugout house, in the style of houses in the Caucasus.

Used until 1904 when log houses were built and a village established nearby, it remains a witness to the tenacity of our settlers. It tells a dramatic, compelling tale from the heart of prairie Doukhobor culture.

This historic site was chosen for scholarly study, as a unique combination of built heritage and natural history.

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Relive the Doukhobor Past

Experience the grit of our Doukhobor pioneers when 'Survivor' was not a game

View the 2017 theme day video

Doukhobor settlers at Blaine Lake

Photo: Saskatchewan Archives Board S-B9563

Watch for this large painted rock at the entrance to the site

National Historic Site designation program.

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