RCMP are investigating the alleged theft of two trilingual bronze plaques commemorating Ukrainians and other Europeans who were interned in Banff National Park during the First World War.
The bronze plaques — one affixed to the First World War internment statue titled Why and the second to a rock nearby — were presumed stolen when Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) officials arrived for a visit in late May.
The statue of the internee sustained significant damage to its leg and foot.
Historical context
Both the statue and its bronze interpretive plaques were unveiled in August 1995 by the UCCLA. They were installed to commemorate the thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans affected by Canada’s first national internment operations, which took place from 1914 to 1920.
“These monuments serve to commemorate and educate Canadians about this little-known chapter of our country’s history,” UCCLA president Kyle Hoyda stated. “Acts of theft and vandalism directed at these historical monuments are both cowardly and deeply distressing.”
The RCMP continue to investigate the incident, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.
