Conference on civilian internment to be first of its kind in Canada

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This article was published 17/12/2014 (3417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University will host a major conference in 2015 on the history of civilian internment in Canada.

Civilian Internment in Canada: Histories and Legacies will the first event of its kind in Canada, drawing from internment episodes during World War One and World War Two (including conscientious objectors), the October Crisis, the current war on terror, and the detention of persons without charge at events such as the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, and the G20 in Toronto, BU officials said.

Organizers said Friday the conference, bringing together former internees, their descendants, and scholars and researchers, will be held at the Ukrainian Labour Temple on Pritchard Avenue in Winnipeg June 15 to 17, 2015.

Organizers are seeking internees or their descendants from the two world wars, the October Crisis, even the G20 summit. Contact internmentworkshop2015@gmail.com.

Conference organizer Prof. Rhonda Hinther, a nationally-awarded history professor at Brandon University, will be joined by Dr. Jodi Giesbrecht, Manager of Research, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and Art Miki and Myron Shatulsky, who will share personal experiences of civilian internment.

Artifacts to be displayed include a “Hitler ashtray” made by Canadian civilians held in Kananaskis Camp in Alberta during World War Two. A chorale group will also perform a selection from a wartime songbook written by internees.