Quebec’s “Sheptytsky Colony” Forever Remembered with Ukrainian Flag Raising at La Morandière City Hall

Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Montreal.

In a historic gesture, the Municipality of La Morandière, Quebec, has permanently erected the Ukrainian blue and yellow national flag next to the flag of the Municipality, the Quebec and Canadian flag, in front of the La Morandière City Hall in recognition of the direct contribution early 20th century Ukrainian immigrants made to this northern region of Quebec.

Today’s Municipality of La Morandière is the 1983 amalgamation of Lac Castagnier (originally called Sheptytsky Colony) and La Morandière both located 575 kilometres north of Montreal.

Marcel Kurello, board member of Spirit Lake Centre, working with the Municipality to recognize the early existence of “Shepytsky Colony” and contributions of Ukrainians, was instrumental in making this happen. He is a descendant of early pioneers; his grandparents were one of the first to arrive, as were the parents of Kurello’s close friend, former Mayor of Amos, Marcel (Vasyl) Lesyk.

In 1925 Father Josephat Jean began to establish a Ukrainian agricultural colony called “Sheptytsky Colony”, named after Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky who he knew, worked with and highly respected. Born in Rimouski Quebec, Father Jean successfully negotiated a large tract of land from the Quebec government to help settle Ukrainians (often referred to as Ruthenians) in dire need, suffering political repression in Western Ukraine and for Ukrainians living in difficult conditions in Bosnia having fled Bolshevik repressions in Ukraine from 1921-22 after World War One. Father Jean, fluent in Ukrainian, devoted his life to help Ukrainians.

The Ukrainians that established Quebec’s “Sheptytsky Colony” cleared the land, founded a vibrant community with a co-operative, Ukrainian school, Ukrainian library, museum, and the first Ukrainian Studite Monastery. A few Ukrainians remained till the 1970’s, however, the “Sheptytsky Colony” itself eventually did fail due to extreme living conditions. The Ukrainian colony, which was left behind, was re-settled in 1938 by French Canadians and re-named Lac Castignier after the lake next to it. Ukrainians moved to Rouyn, Noranda, Val d’Or and other nearby towns developing afresh, active Ukrainian communities. For further details view Luhovy’s documentary film, in English or French, “Ukrainians in Quebec 1891-1945”.

A Ukrainian cemetery still remains at Lac Castagnier with makers indicting names of early Ukrainian immigrants such as Kurello, Lesyk, Sup, Mokrij and others that first settled “Sheptytsky”. The cemetery, a testament to early Ukrainian settlers, is kept by descendants of the early pioneers living in the area.

The Ukrainian flag was raised by La Morandière Mayor Guy Lemire. As Marcel Kurello and James Slobodian state, “it makes us very proud that in 2016, the year we mark the 125th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada, the memory of Ukrainian early settlement remains as a permanent legacy of this area. It should be taught in schools. It is important that Ukrainian contributions to early history of Quebec is never forgotten but passed on to next generation across Canada.”

La Morandière is 50 km from Spirit Lake Centre the largest museum in Canada that tells the story of the unjust internment. Despite many hardships, Ukrainians have made significant contributions in developing Quebec society in all areas.

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