On May 27, 2021 Canada's Government apologized...
On June 10, 1940 Canadian Italians became the enemy. 600 were sent to internment camps. 31,000 - one out of every four Italians in Canada - were declared as enemy aliens. Yet, this is a chapter of Canadian history that almost no one knows about. La Nostra Famiglia Italiana has tried to do our part to create more awareness of this story and the road to Prime Minister Trudeau's apology.
Trudeau's apology
This is the full video of Trudeau's apology, delivered in the House of Commons on May 27, 2021
The virtual Reception after the apology
:After the apology, a virtual reception was hosted by Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughn - Woodbridge and Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel. There were many who spoke, including descendants of internees. The full reception can be viewed here:
Media Coverage
Leading up to the apology, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club helped coordinate media coverage of this story, including helping to contact descendants of those interned, including Ray Lenzi, grandson of the only Okanagan Italian interned.
the okanagan story
The Story of What Happened Here in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley
Our presentation and panel discussion:
The Presentation
On June 2, 2021 we hosted an online presentation talking about the story of internment in general and looking at what was unique about the Italian Community in the Kelowna area.
The video of the presentation on youtube - (1:14:50)
The panel
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Adriana A. Davies
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Trina Costantini-Powell
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Lynne Bowen
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Ray Lenzi
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As part of our Between Neighbours Presentation on Wednesday, June 2, looking at the impact of World War II on BC and Kelowna's Italian community, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club hosted a special panel discussion talking about the internment of Canadian Italians, the impact , Trudeau's recent apology, the road to that apology and what the legacy will be moving forward. We were honoured and thrilled to be able to welcome these special guests for this very timely and important conversation:
Adriana A. Davies
Noted Researcher and Author. Adriana Davies' latest book is From Sojourners to Citizens, Alberta's Italian History
Trina Costantini-Powell
President of National Congress Italian-Canadians, Capital Division. Her grandfather Giuseppe Costantini was interned at Petawawa
Lynne Bowen
Historian and Author of Whoever Gives Us Bread, the Story of Italians in British Columbia
Ray Lenzi
Ray's grandfather, Frederico Lenzi, was interned in Kananaskis
Moderated by
Rosann Nanci
President of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club
Adriana A. Davies
Noted Researcher and Author. Adriana Davies' latest book is From Sojourners to Citizens, Alberta's Italian History
Trina Costantini-Powell
President of National Congress Italian-Canadians, Capital Division. Her grandfather Giuseppe Costantini was interned at Petawawa
Lynne Bowen
Historian and Author of Whoever Gives Us Bread, the Story of Italians in British Columbia
Ray Lenzi
Ray's grandfather, Frederico Lenzi, was interned in Kananaskis
Moderated by
Rosann Nanci
President of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club
The recording of the panel discussion - (39:30)
resources
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS STORY
MORE ABOUT THIS CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY
Below are resources to explore and learn more:
italiancanadianww2.ca
This wonderful site was a national project that collected oral histories and artifacts centred on the Internment. It has a list of all internees and their stories.
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injustice served
A book by Raymond Culos telling the story of the BC Internees from Vancouver. Currently out of print but available in our library.
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piazza petawawa
A documentary by Rino Noto looking at the internment and subsequent legacy of shame in the Italian community. Available to view on Vimeo.
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BEYOND BARBED WIRE
A collection of essays looking at the Internment with a nation wide perspective, ga thered . Out of print but available in our library and as a free ebook by Guernica.
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THE CITY WITHOUT WOMEN
The first person account of Mario Duliani who was interned in both Petawawa and Gagetown. Out of print but used copies may be available.
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FROM SOJOURNERS TO CITIZENS
A comprehensive history of Alberta's Italian community, including a chapter on WWII. Written by Adriana Davies, available online and in our library.
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