Canada’s First World War Internment Statue and Bronze Plaques Vandalized in Banff National Park

For Immediate Release – Calgary, June 4, 2026, UCCLA

RCMP are investigating after the UCCLA discovered that two trilingual bronze plaques commemorating Ukrainians and other Europeans interned in Banff National Park during the First World War were gone.

The bronze plaques – one affixed to the First World War internment statue entitled Why and the second to a rock nearby - were gone and presumed stolen when UCCLA officials arrived for a visit in late May. In addition, the statue of the internee sustained significant damage to its leg and foot.

Both the statue and its bronze interpretive plaques were unveiled in August 1995 by the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA). They were installed to commemorate the thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans affected by Canada’s first national internment operations, which took place from 1914 to 1920.

Commenting on the theft and vandalism, UCCLA President Kyle Hoyda stated:

“These monuments serve to commemorate and educate Canadians about this little-known chapter of our country’s history. Acts of theft and vandalism directed at these historical monuments are both cowardly and deeply distressing.”

Castle Mountain Internment Camp Statue and Bronze Interpretive Plaque. Both the interpretive plaque and statue plaque have been stolen.

Castle Mountain Internment Camp Statue and Bronze Interpretive Plaque Before Vandalism, photo taken August 2025

Castle Mountain Internment Camp Statue Vandalized Foot

Castle Mountain Internment Camp Statue, Vandalized Leg

Castle Mountain Internment Camp missing bronze interpretive plaque

Castle Mountain Internment statue base with missing plaque