The Doukhobor Discovery Centre has received a rare artifact, modelled here by Alex Ewashen of Creston. This is a rare sheepskin coat originally brought to Canada from Russia in 1899 by Vasilii Verigin, the great grandfather of Curator Larry Ewashen. It was stored in Mission by the curator’s aunt, Mrs. Polly Vishloff, Vasillii’s grand daughter, who has graciously donated it to the Centre. In the early days of settlement the Doukhobors were often referred to in the press as the best farmers in the world who knew how to survive on the prairies, ‘those men in sheepskin coats’. No doubt such coats aided their survival. This rare artifact will be officially presented to the Centre at the season opening April 25th.