OTTAWA – A minute of silence was observed on May 22 by members of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) for Nellie (Carolka) Manko, a Montreal-born infant who was interned with other members of the Manko family in the Spirit Lake internment camp during Canada’s First National Internment Operations, 1914-20.
Nellie perished 101 years ago, at age 2½. Her gravesite remains unknown. Both the UCCLA and the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation (UCCLF) have lobbied Minister of Canadian Heritage Melanie Joly, to intervene for the purposes of commemorating and reconsecrating the internee cemetery at La Ferme (Spirit Lake), Quebec, since November 2015. To date, the minister has not addressed the Ukrainian Canadian community’s concerns about the deterioration of this unique historic site.
Commenting, UCCLA Chairman Roman Zakaluzny said:
“We remain hopeful that the minister will take action soon to ensure that the remains of the 16 men and some children known to be buried in the Spirit Lake internment camp cemetery will finally find peace.”