The Doukhobor Dugout House

2013 Theme Day
2013-07-06 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | The Doukhobor Dugout House Inc., Doukhobor Dugout House, Blaine Lake No. 434, Saskatchewan, S0J 0J0, Canada

2012 Theme Day
2012-07-07
Help solve one of Canada’s unsolved cold cases by participating in our tours. You will learn what happened, and get clues throughout the tour.
Form your own theories about the dramatic story of Peter Verigin, who died when a railway car exploded on the Kettle Valley Line in 1924. Over the many decades since, police and investigators have been unable to definitively resolve the death of Peter Verigin, and eight others in the rail car.
First reports about the disaster on the Kettle Valley Line near Farron, BC, pointed to accident being the cause of the explosion that killed those in CPR Car 1586. And there are people who know the case well today who believe this to be the correct explanation. Others at the time and since have argued that the explosion was the result of a calculated scheme. Since Peter Verigin was by far the most prominent individual among those who died, most attention has turned to who might have wanted him dead and why.

Special Events in 2011
2011-07-02 - 2011-07-30
Opening Day July 2
Keynote speaker and MC was Norm Rebin. Special activities included the Prayer Home Opening Ceremony and the Heart and Stroke Big Bike. Pledges were accepted as our Doukhobors rode the 30-seat Big Bike wearing our historical costumes.

Closing Day July 30
Doukhobor Flavours
Historically the Doukhobor are vegetarian. Visitors tasted our flavours.

Special Events in 2010
2010-07-03 - 2010-08-07
Doukhobor Friends
Opening Day July 3

This was a re-enactment of what took place long ago between the Doukhobors and First Nations people. The Doukhobors needed to plant their crops and gardens to grow food. They had no animals to help with this, so they made a plough out of wood, 16 women hooked themselves up to it, and pulled the plough to plant crops, while the men were away working in Winnipeg helping build the railroad. The First Nations people in the region saw what the Doukhobors were doing and came to provide them with horses. In return, the Doukhobor people provided the First Nations people with food. Both sides were thankful for the mutual co-operation.
During the re-enactment, the Doukhobors pulled that plough on a field overlooking the river and the First Nations people came into the yard in a wagon in full costume to provide a horse, and also performed a traditional full costume ceremony setting up a tipi. In return the Doukhobors provided a heartfelt welcome and presented the First Nation people with a Doukhobor gift, reliving the strong friendships established between the two cultures in the late 1890s. The Keynote speaker and MC was Norm Rebin. Also present were other speakers and representatives of the Saskatoon Food Bank.
Proceeds from admissions went to the Saskatoon Food Bank.

Doukhobor Recipes
Closing Day, August 7

Remembering our culture, and our Doukhobor recipes. Visitors brought family, and their recipes, and tried one of our special recipes, watermelon kvass, throughout the day, as they tasted and experienced our history.

Special Events in 2009
2009-06-27
Doukhobor Peace Movement Day, June 27

Re-enactment of Doukhobor soldiers laying down their arms, Easter 1895, and burning their arms, June 1895. Guest speakers and MC Norm Rebin in attendance. Tour to follow.
Terry McLean’s painting provided by the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, Castlegar, BC.

Family Heritage Day, August 8

Remember your history! Bring your family, your stories and history. Tell your family story, how pictures, and share your memories with us.

Special Events in 2008
2008-07-05
Doukhobor Wedding Renewals, July 5

Re-enactment of a Doukhobor wedding. Guest Speaker Norm Rebin, speaking about our Doukhobor pioneer, P.G. Makaroff who played a role in Doukhobor marriages being recognized by the government.

Dedushka Day, August 16

Honoring our Grandfathers, pillars of the earth, those strong, honorable hard workers who made our foundations, who gave us their legacies.

Special Events in 2007
2007-07-07
Memory
Official opening was held July 7 with a plaque unveiling, guest speakers, Doukhobor women pulling the plough, placing of marker honouring 105 years of history and wool spinning demonstrations. Tours followed. Norm Rebin spoke about The Value of Collective Memory.
August 11 was Babushki Day honouring our grandmothers, with special stories and guest speakers. The event also marked the end of the season. Tours followed.

2006 Events
2006-07-02
2006 Archaeology Reunion, May 20

Guests included MP Maurice Vellacott, Saskatchewan Culture Minister Glenn Hagel, and MC Norm Rebin. The thesis written by graduate student Meagan Brooks was presented to representatives of the Verigin Museum, the Castlegar (BC) Museum and Saskatoon Doukhobor Society. A walkabout tour followed.
Photo: Brenda Cheveldayoff and Meagan Brooks

Leo Tolstoy Birthday Celebration
Doukhobor Dugout House hosted a guest speaker who talked about Tolstoy’s life, and in a re-enactment, Tolstoy read from his books. His birthday was celebrated with a cake.

Tolstoy and guest at birthday celebration; cake for Tolstoy’s birthday; Brenda Cheveldayoff and Tolstoy at start of tour.
Oospenia Spring Official Naming

Oospenia Spring was officially named. Johnathon Kalmakoff was on hand to present a scroll to mark the occasion. A plaque to mark this historical location will be unveiled in 2007.
Johnathon Kalmakoff presents Brenda Cheveldayoff with scroll marking the naming of the spring.
In 2006 stabilization of the Dugout House was started with the construction of steps and railing, made of wood and stone.
