Canada’s First National Internment Operations, 1914–1920

The purpose of these lessons is to raise critical awareness among elementary and secondary students about the largely unknown story of Canada’s First National Internment Operations, between 1914 and 1920. It was not until 2008 that the Canadian government recognized this legally sanctioned historical injustice. Part of the pledge to redress this wrong is to educate Canadian youth about the First World War internment era and, through greater awareness, ensure that similar injustices are less likely to be repeated.

Lesson plans

Historical thinking videos

Ready-to-post student materials

This project has been made possible by a grant from the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.

On 25 November 2005 MP Inky Mark’s private member’s Bill C-331, Internment of Persons of Ukrainian Origin Recognition Act, received Royal Assent. Following negotiations with the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, the Government of Canada established the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, 9 May 2008, to support commemorative and educational initiatives that recall what happened during Canada’s First National Internment Operations of 1914-1920.