After a morning of cherry picking, we found ourselves drawn to the peaceful shores of Mara Lake – the perfect spot to rest and recharge. Though we couldn’t make it to Kamloops for Saturday’s Stand with Ukraine gathering, we took a moment by the water to reflect on the ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy.
Mara Lake sits on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nation, who have been stewards of this land for thousands of years. The Secwepemc (Shuswap) First Nations have long inhabited the shores of Shuswap and Mara lakes, evidenced by the presence of pit-houses dating back over 3,200 years. At Black Point Rock, early settler Fred Dean observed pictographs on the rocks, and remains of an indigenous camp were found near King-Baker Creek in 1958, where two atlatl weights were discovered. A Splats’in First Nation reserve is located on the west shore at the northern end of the lake.
This beautiful area holds layers of historical significance that resonate with Ukraine’s current fight. During World War I, from June 1915 to July 1917, internment camps operated at Mara Lake – the Six Mile Internment Camp and Two Mile camp, where interned aliens (including many Ukrainian Canadians) were forced to build sections of a new road along the eastern side of the lake. The shore road along the southern part of the lake was blasted through rocky cliffs, with rock removal and grading done entirely by hand. These men, despite pledging loyalty to the British Empire, were unjustly imprisoned simply for their heritage. A commemorative marker now exists about 40 metres south of the Wolfe Road junction, and the Hummingbird Beach Resort at Swansea Point occupies the former camp site.
While exploring, we discovered a hidden, accessible beach that welcomes everyone to enjoy these pristine waters – a reminder that spaces of beauty and peace should be available to all, while acknowledging the community’s desire not to list the beach on Google Maps to avoid overuse of the area. The local community has worked to preserve both the natural beauty and historical memory of this place.
Standing by the same waters where Secwépemc people have gathered for millennia, and where Ukrainian-Canadian ancestors once faced persecution, we’re reminded why we continue to stand with Ukraine today. Freedom, dignity, and the right to exist peacefully in one’s homeland are not negotiable.
To learn more about Mara Lake check references on Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_Lake
More information about Mara Park https://bcparks.ca/mara-park/
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