Doukhobors in Russia
The origin of the Doukhobors dates to 16th and 17th century Russia, when a number of Christian religious sects began to form. First known as Ikonabors for rejecting the Icons, the Doukhobors became differentiated from these other groups, and were given the name "Doukho-borets" (which literally means, "spirit wrestlers") by a Russian Orthodox priest. Although Archbishop Ambrosias of Ekaterinoslav in 1785 was implying that the Doukhobors wrestled against the Holy Spirit, the Doukhobor elders adopted a shortened form of the name, maintaining that they wrestled not against but with the spirit of Christ. Their central belief was pacifism, and their motto (adopted later), "Toil and Peaceful Life," was reflected in their simple ways, communal living, and hard work.
In 1894, Tsar Nicholas II demanded an oath of allegiance from all his subjects. The Doukhobors, led by Peter Vasilievich Verigin, refused. In 1895, they refused to serve in the military and burned all of their weapons. Starting in 1899, the Doukhobors began to leave Russia, as they faced increasing persecution for their beliefs. Some 7,500 sought refuge in Canada, and most settled in present day Saskatchewan.
First years in Canada
The federal Ministry of the Interior, under Clifford Sifton, was initially sympathetic to the Doukhobors. The government provided each adult male with a quarter section homestead (160 acres) as "free" land. In lieu of cash, the settlers had to satisfy several homesteading requirements: they had to register their homestead, pay a $10 entry fee, fulfill residence and cultivation duties (including living on the homestead for 6 months of the year), and break and crop a certain area of land. After these duties were completed, the settler would apply for inspection, and, if he passed, apply for a patent on the land.
The government provided three reserves for the Doukhobors who came to Canada in 1899, and enacted a "Hamlet Clause" so they could live communally (the Doukhobors did not believe in individual land ownership). The government also allowed Peter Verigin and two other men to make entry on behalf of the Doukhobors, so that they would not have to make individual land entry.
Land Loss in Saskatchewan
This period of agreement ended in 1906 when Frank Oliver, the new Minister of the Interior, introduced changes to the homesteading regulations that aimed to force the Doukhobors to take out separate homesteads. Individuals were required to claim title and to pledge an oath of allegiance to the Crown. The government cancelled the reserves and threatened eviction if the Doukhobors did not make individual land entries. Doukhobors were also required to become naturalized citizens, and to swear allegiance to the Crown, which most Doukhobors thought would lead to the end of their exemption from military service. The regulations were enforced in 1907, and 2,500 homesteads were cancelled.
Community split
This loss caused splits into three distinct groups. The largest group, the Community or Orthodox Doukhobors, followed Peter Verigin to British Columbia. The "edinolichniki" or "Independents" wanted to live more materialistic lives, and chose to comply with the Homestead requirements in order to maintain their homesteads in Saskatchewan. The "svobodniki" or "Sons of Freedom" also went to B.C. with Verigin, but, unlike the Community Doukhobors, the zealots were willing to use both civil disobedience and violence to achieve a return to more traditional values.
Move to British Columbia
During the years of 1908 to 1912, thousands of Doukhobors moved to the West Kootenays in British Columbia, on privately purchased land held under Peter Verigin's name. During the next 30 years Doukhobors developed large communal enterprises (such as jam, jelly, and honey factories) under the umbrella of the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB), situated in Brilliant, British Columbia.
On October 29, 1924, Peter V. Verigin was killed in a rail car bombing. His son, Peter P. Verigin succeeded him, and in 1927, he came to British Columbia from Russia to assume leadership.
