RCMP investigate ‘shameful’ case of theft, vandalism in Banff National Park

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating the theft and vandalism of two bronze memorial plaques from the Castle Mountain Internment Camp site in Banff National Park. The memorial commemorates immigrants deemed enemy aliens who were held at the camp during World War I, operating from 1915 to 1917.

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These monuments serve to commemorate and educate Canadians about this little-known chapter of our country’s history. Acts of theft and vandalism directed at these historical monuments are both cowardly and deeply distressing.

Authorities received a report of the vandalism, including the theft of the plaques, on May 28. Photos released by the Lake Louise RCMP clearly show the memorial site before and after the incident, with the bronze plaques conspicuously missing. The Castle Mountain Internment Camp was one of 24 such facilities across Canada used to detain over 8,500 individuals, primarily of Ukrainian, Austrian, Hungarian, and German descent.

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This memorial honours the memory of those who were unjustly interned during Canada’s first national internment operations, including many Ukrainians and other Europeans whose civil liberties were stripped away.

The theft has drawn strong condemnation from community leaders. Kyle Hoyda, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, described the acts as "cowardly and deeply distressing." He emphasized that these monuments serve to educate Canadians about a little-known but significant chapter of the country's history. "Acts of theft and vandalism directed at these historical monuments are both cowardly and deeply distressing," Hoyda stated.

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Damaging a place of remembrance is deeply disrespectful to their memory, to their descendants, and to all Canadians who believe we must confront the difficult chapters of our history honestly.

Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary-Confederation, echoed this sentiment, calling the theft a "shameful act." He highlighted that the memorial honors those unjustly interned and whose civil liberties were stripped away. "Damaging a place of remembrance is deeply disrespectful to their memory, to their descendants, and to all Canadians who believe we must confront the difficult chapters of our history honestly," Hogan said. Sergeant Susan Richter of the Lake Louise RCMP detachment noted the memorial's significance as a place of remembrance and learning that extends beyond its physical location.

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The Castle Mountain Internment Camp Memorial serves as a place of remembrance and learning, and its significance extends well beyond the physical site itself.