SASKATOON 鈥� Brenda Cheveldayoff was humbled when she learned she would be one of the King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients. It was a dream come true and a monumental experience as she heard the news when Hon. Lt. Gov. Russ Mirasty visited the Doukhobor Dugout House in the summer of this year.
鈥淚 was told about it when His Honour came to the Doukhobor Dugout House last summer, and I honestly didn鈥檛 believe it at first. I had to pinch myself. The significance of the medal and what it represents is so remarkable. It's a huge honour,鈥� Cheveldayoff told SaskToday.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal commemorates the coronation of His Majesty. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal recognizing Canadians who contributed exceptionally to the country and their communities.
Cheveldayoff is one of the 30,000 recipients of the prestigious medal as a dedicated steward of history, culture, and community. Her award is based on her decades of work preserving the Doukhobor heritage and advancing Saskatchewan鈥檚 cultural landscape.
Her work at the Doukhobor Dugout House, a historic site that preserves the memory of the Doukhobor people who settled in Saskatchewan in the early 20th century, has been a lifelong journey. However, it was not just opening the doors of the historic site to the public but also preserving the past, honouring the legacy of her ancestors, and offering a place where visitors could experience a rich piece of Saskatchewan鈥檚 history.
鈥淭he biggest impact I feel is opening the site to the public. It鈥檚 Saskatchewan鈥檚 history and belongs to the people of Saskatchewan. It鈥檚 taken years of research and development to get where we are today, but we鈥檝e reached a point where visitors can stay the night鈥攐n the land where our ancestors once lived,鈥� said Cheveldayoff.
Cheveldayoff鈥檚 dedication to preserving Doukhobor's history has been a calling and not just a passion, as she describes the land, the place, and the history as intertwined and deeply rooted in her family鈥檚 story.
鈥淲alking around here, you can feel the connection to the land. It鈥檚 almost like the spirit of our ancestors is still here. That alone keeps the legacy alive. We honour their struggle, their resilience, and the sacrifices they made for the generations that came after them,鈥� she said.
The Doukhobor Dugout House, under Cheveldayoff鈥檚 guidance, has become much more than a historic site as it has become a place of hospitality, learning, and collaboration. Her vision for the Dugout House includes celebrating cultural diversity, where the story of one group鈥檚 heritage can be shared in the context of the broader Saskatchewan experience.
鈥淚 want to be here for the people. I want to collaborate with others to create multicultural experiences. We鈥檙e also working with different groups and organizations to share their heritage. The Doukhobor Dugout House is a place of hospitality, and it鈥檚 important to celebrate all the different cultures that makeup Saskatchewan,鈥� said Cheveldayoff.
In the coming season, the Dugout House will expand its offerings to include weekly themed days, allowing visitors to experience different aspects of history and culture each time they visit. The site will also stay open for extended periods, allowing more people to connect with Saskatchewan鈥檚 past, present, and future.
鈥淚鈥檝e posted about the medal and received so much support from the community. Messages, flowers, and kind words 鈥� it鈥檚 been overwhelming. I鈥檓 going to keep every single keepsake. It means so much to me to be recognized by the people I鈥檝e worked hard to serve,鈥� she said.
The recognition is not just about her work at the Doukhobor Dugout House but also about her broader commitment to Saskatchewan鈥檚 heritage and cultural dialogue and to preserving, protecting, and sharing the rich diversity of experiences that have shaped the province.
鈥淚鈥檝e always felt that my ancestors were rooted here. This place is sacred to me, and I can feel their presence when I'm here. That connection, that spiritual grounding, is what drives me. It keeps the legacy alive for my family, the community, and Saskatchewan,鈥� said Cheveldayoff.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is not just an acknowledgment of her past efforts but a call to continue moving forward, collaborating with others and ensuring that the cultural stories of the past remain vibrant and accessible to future generations.
As the Doukhobor Dugout House, found in the Blaine Lake area, prepares for another season of exploration, learning, and cultural exchange, Cheveldayoff鈥檚 vision continues to shine as the power of heritage and the importance of preserving it for the people who call Saskatchewan home.
