Uniting for a Better World: Waterton International Peace Park
Kurt Kowalchuk
From September 22nd to 24th, Rotarians from Canada and the US convened in Waterton for the annual Waterton Peace Park Assembly- a weekend brimming with inspiring speakers and engaging events, offering ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Back in 1931 nearly 100 Rotarians met at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton. These Rotarians were from clubs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana.
At dinner the inspiring view prompted the attendees to decide to meet annually in peace and friendship, alternating between Waterton National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the US, “Pledging our loyalty and allegiance to foster all International Relationships.” They also agreed to lobby their governments to establish the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Amazingly, one short year later both governments had passed bills to make the park a reality. This was the first peace park in the world, inspiring nearly 150 more to be created on the borders of countries.
These annual meetings still happen, now known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Assembly. DisConasaurus Rex and I had the great pleasure of attending this year’s assembly.
The weekend started on Thursday afternoon with a dedication of a temporary peace pole in Waterton. This pole has the inscription ‘May Peace Prevail On Earth’ inscribed in 8 languages and in Brail. It will be replaced next year with a more permanent sandstone pole. This pole will be moved to where the border touches the shore of Waterton Lake, on the Canadian side of the border.
On Saturday, many of the attendees took the boat across the lake to Goat Haunt on the US side. Here another temporary pole was erected and dedicated. This pole will be moved to sit across the border from the Canadian pole when the permanent pole is installed.
After the dedication, several of us hiked the 18 kms back to the village, led by Dr. Jenny Feick. Jenny was part of the team that scouted and recommended where the Great Divide Trail would go in the 70’s. She later worked for Parks Canada and the B.C. Ministry of the Environment as an environment biologist and geographer. She was very generous in sharing her knowledge of trail.
Saturday was the Annual Assembly, highlighted by exceptional talks by five amazing speakers; Dr. Fran Leggett (Past District Governor), Jeff Mow (recently retired superintendent of Glacier, Cam Stewart (District Indigenous Relations Chair), Dr. Jenny Feick, and Craig Davidsion (COO of Rick Steve’s Europe). All of the topics related to peace and the environment.
The Hands Across the Border ceremony on Sunday always touches me. We stand across a virtual border and make the following Peace Pledge:
“In the name of all we hold sacred, we will not take up arms against each other. We will work for peace, maintain liberty, strive for freedom, and demand equal opportunities for all. May the long existing peace between our nations stimulate other peoples to follow this example.”
