KELOWNA CANADIAN ITALIAN CLUB
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Tra VICINI 

Between Neighbours - The Okanagan's Italians during WWII

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.
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Black Press - BC Local News
Reporter Amandalina Letterio did a feature on Frederico Lenzi and the local story.
Learn More
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Washington Post
Reporter Amanda Coletta looks at the story from a national perspective 
Learn More
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Global News - Calgary
Reporter Jayme Doll profiles the Kananaskis camp and interviews Adriana Davies
Learn More

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

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

 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

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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.
Learn More

injustice served

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A book by Raymond Culos telling the story of the BC Internees from Vancouver. Currently out of print but available in our library. 
Learn More

piazza petawawa

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A documentary by Rino Noto looking at the internment and subsequent legacy of shame in the Italian community. Available to view on Vimeo.
View Now

BEYOND BARBED WIRE​

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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.
Learn More

THE CITY WITHOUT WOMEN

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The first person account of Mario Duliani who was interned in both Petawawa and Gagetown. Out of print but used copies may be available. 
Learn More

FROM SOJOURNERS TO CITIZENS

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A comprehensive history of Alberta's Italian community, including a chapter on WWII. Written by Adriana Davies, available online and in our library. 
Learn More

WHOEVER GIVES US BREAD

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A touching look at BC's Italian Community, written by Lynne Bowen. Again, there is a chapter dedicated to WWII. Available online and in our library. 
Learn More

coming soon to kcic!  - click below to find out more

Giuseppe's Cafe - March 30
JOE AVATI COMES TO KELOWNA JUNE 2
SPAGHETTI WESTERN APRIL 18
57th Anniversary Dinner and Dance

Our Clubhouse

770 Lawrence Ave.
Phone: 250 762 0900

What people Are Saying about us

"Great People, Wonderful Food! So nice to have a little bit of our Italian culture in Canada:)"
"Great people, family oriented and great food of course!"


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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club acknowledges that our clubhouse is situated on the beautiful unceded traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Who, for thousands of years, have lived in harmony with nature and continue to this day to offer us so much culture and understanding.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About KCIC and Our History
    • President's Message
    • Vice President's Message
    • Executive and Directors
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
  • NEWS & ARTICLES
    • The Grapevine Newsletter
    • THE ITALIAN GARDENER
    • Kelowna's First Families
    • Pietro's Spazio Sport
    • Book Reviews
    • Mangia Mangia Recipes
  • WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KCIC
    • 2023 Calendar
    • Club Happenings >
      • Joe Avati World Tour
      • KCIC Dinners & Special Events
      • La Nostra Famiglia Italiana >
        • Upcoming NFI Events >
          • NFI - Spaghetti
        • Past NFI Events >
          • NFI - Bisnonno
          • NFI - L'Acqua
          • NFI - Terrazzo
          • NFI - Guerra
          • NFI - Lilia
          • Coming to Pier 21
          • Dalla Terra
          • Dialetti!
          • Sveva Caetani
          • Emilio Picariello
        • Family Tree Workshops
        • Between Neighbours
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • La Bella Tavola - Cooking Classes
      • Bocce
      • La Scuola Italiana - Italian Language
      • KCIC Library
    • Il Nostro Lascito Legacy Project
    • Our 55th Birthday!
  • More From Us
    • CONTACT US
    • 50th ANNIVERSARY >
      • 50th Anniversary
      • Mercato
      • Dinner & Dance Gala
    • Miss Kelowna Cdn. Italian Club
    • PHOTOS >
      • Photos
    • Calendar Page
  • Take Out Dinners
  • New Page