Recently, Larry Ewashen, Curator of the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, addressed a joint BC and Federal Heritage Conference at Fort Langley. The conference was attended by representatives from various heritage sites across British Columbia and Federal representatives from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

Issues such as archives, funding, granting bodies and eco-tourism were discussed. Mr. Ewashen made a presentation in reference to the recent designations of Peter V. Verigin, designated as a Person of National Significance, and the migration of the Doukhobors commencing in 1908 from Saskatchewan to British Columbia, designated a National Historic Event.

After Mr. Ewashen's presentation Federal Chairman Jerry Borden congratulated Mr. Ewashen and remarked to the others: 'These two designations show what one person can accomplish.'

In 2007 only twenty designations were made across all of Canada. Castlegar is the only community of its size to have three such designations, including the Doukhobor Suspension Bridge.

The conference was highlighted by a banquet at Historic Site Stave Falls, and in the picture above, Mr. Ewashen is pictured with guest speaker, James Atebe, Mayor of Mission.