Dear Premier Eby,
The recent apology and announcement by the Province of British Columbia regarding compensation for the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor community is a step, but it falls extremely short of the profound recognition and healing that is truly warranted and therefore, is introducing new trauma to the victims, like my mother, Laura Powell.
Allow me to outline why this response is damaging:
Trauma and decision-making: When the decision was announced on how the compensation was to be spent on behalf of the survivors, it evoked feelings of anger, powerlessness and re-traumatized many. This government may not have made the initial decision to rip the children from their loving homes, but they are continuing the sins of the past by forcing a decision on how compensation will be applied.
The power dynamics, inequity and lack of transparency in the decision-making has led to mistrust and a feeling of helplessness among many survivors. Many live below the poverty line and hold out hope that they may finally receive direct financial support to cover their ever-increasing costs such as groceries and utilities. This government’s approach to decision making without meaningful input from the survivors continues to torment survivors, like my mother.
Token gestures: Community programs, research, education, wellness, and mental-health supports may sound like commendable initiatives. However, successful therapy hinges on trust and vulnerabilities. The survivors should be allowed to choose for themselves on whether they would like to spend their compensation on mental-health supports..
Lack of personal connection: The chain link fences that separated parents from their children are etched into the collective memory. But where is the heartfelt acknowledgment of those moments? Where are the tears shed for the broken bonds of parent and child? The trauma inflicted on the Sons of Freedom community transcends legalities; it is a wound that seeps through generations.
Historical context ignored: The Doukhobors’ journey from persecution in Russia to Canada was one of resilience and hope. Their settlement in the Kootenay Boundary region was a testament to their spirit. Yet, during the 20th century, the province targeted them — fines, property seizures, and imprisonment — for acts of civil disobedience. The trauma inflicted on these families was systemic, and its echoes persist.
Children’s pain dismissed: The forcible removal of hundreds of Sons of Freedom children is a chapter of horror. These innocent souls were torn from their homes, their language, their culture. Their cries reverberate through time. A mere footnote in an official apology cannot encapsulate their anguish.
Moving forward: To truly make amends, we need more than community programs.
We need:
Truth-Telling: Acknowledge the specifics of each child’s removal. Their names, their stories — they deserve recognition.
Education: Teach our children about this dark chapter in our history. Let them learn empathy, so they never repeat the mistakes of the past.
Restitution: Compensation should be paid directly to the survivors. Let them decide what is best for themselves. Let them reclaim the freedom of choice that was unjustly taken from them as children and now again with this administration.
In closing, let us remember that trauma is not a line item in a budget. It is etched into the very fabric of our existence. Let us honor the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor community with actions that transcend bureaucracy — a healing that reaches deep into the soul.
Sincerely,
Leona LaChance
Proud Daughter of Laura Powell, New Denver Survivor
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