The present distribution formulae is 45% to British Columbia, 45% to Saskatchewan, and 10% to Alberta, although it is worth noting that the vast majority of the capital funds came from the CCUB residual fund of BC. This formula is not rigid, and is subject to change, depending on the relative groups and societies in relation to each other.

At the present time, for example, the entire Saskatchewan disbursement is taken over by the museum in Verigin, by comparison, the Doukhobor Discovery Centre in Castlegar receives a portion not larger than the many other groups who apply from British Columbia, since that is where the majority of the societies and groups are headquartered. The Sons of Freedom, who had formerly reduced the assets of the C.C.U.B. through arson, are also now equal benefactors of this fund, as well as the Independent Doukhobor Societies of Saskatchewan who did not contribute to the C.C.U.B. holdings but now choose to have their entire allocation given over to the museum in Verigin. This is entirely appropriate, since all buildings in the museum were constructed by members of the CCUB prior to the move to BC.

A recent development has occurred wherein the Attorney General of Alberta no longer wishes to be involved in sanctioning the Alberta appointment, and the Alberta delegate is now simply appointed by the Doukhobor societies.

This move was followed by the Attorney General of BC. The delegates will be selected as they have been in the past through a meeting and nomination system, facilitated by the Council of Doukhobors in Canada.

The key section is 16[1] which reads: ‘The board shall provide for the making of grants to recognized non-profit organizations which are dedicated to establishing and maintaining the heritage and culture of the Doukhobors of Canada.’

On this basis, any legitimate Doukhobor Society, seeking to encourage and maintain Doukhobor culture and heritage, is welcome to present a submission for funding.

Larry Ewashen,
President, CCUB Trust Fund,
Castlegar, 2006

This entire document is available for download in .pdf format here.