Our Backs Warmed by the Sun: Memories of a Doukhobor Life

by Vera Maloff

For many, the Doukhobor story is a sensational arson, nudity, and civil disobedience once made headlines. But it isn’t the whole story. In Our Backs Warmed by the Sun , the author, Vera, through the stories of her mother Elizabeth, describes a wholly activist life. The Doukhobors led anti-military protests throughout the early 1900s, harboured draft dodgers in the 60s, and stood up for their beliefs. In response, they were hosed down, arrested, and jailed. Vera learns of the confusion and fear when, as a child, Elizabeth's father served time in prison for charges related to a peaceful protest, and of her loneliness when she was institutionalized—one of a series of Canadian government efforts in assimilation. By removing the children, it was believed, the cycle of protest and resistance could be broken. Elizabeth’s story is also one of a small but thriving Kootenay community, and of the experiences of a family who stood by their beliefs.

264 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

Reviews

[Lisa Poznikoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Vera's personal family story. It deeply resonated with my own cultural history and helped me to appreciate it all the more. The entire Doukhobor culture had been misrepresented by sensationalized media reporting back in the day. This deeply personal story helps to shed a broader light on the truth of the bigger picture of those sensational stories. Their life struggles, because of the deep faith and conviction to live true to their cultural beliefs, as society tried to assimilate the Doukhobors is expressed within these pages.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Vera for taking us along with you on your journey to discover more about your family. Vera is a writer who easily draws you into her story which is deeply personal and culturally fascinating. I learned so much about my cultural background which was refreshing. And I was inspired by her grandfather’s ideals and convictions and by the strong women in her family. I loved this read!

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book eloquently situates the reader in the nostalgia of the Maloff family’s past, both memories of a peaceful life in the beautiful landscape of the Kootenays and the more tender, painful memories of separation, scarcity, and loss. One feels in partnership with Maloff as she investigates and comes to understand her family history and its place in Doukhobor history and culture. While she explores the life of her grandfather, a figurehead of her family, the book is equally about the women of her family, their strength, their ideals, and how, though they did not study philosophy or lead meetings or lectures, they embodied the principles and practices of toil and peaceful life. A wonderful addition to the written history of the Doukhobors.

[M.San · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information and history! The photos are wonderful and it was a great journey through places in British Columbia that I’m familiar with.

[Doug Ingold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vera Maloff has written a fine and interesting memoir about her family, about principle, government cruelty and the Doukhobors, a pacifist, vegetarian, Christian sect of Russian origin.
The author’s ancestors settled in the Kootenay region of British Columbia early in the twentieth century and made their living growing fruits and vegetables and selling them in local markets. Much of the story comes to us from the author’s mother Elizabeth who was approaching one-hundred when the book was published in 2020, but at the center stands the author’s grandfather, Peter Maloff, a well-known war resister, who was born in 1900 and died in 1971.
Suspicious of all government authority, the Doukhobors resisted government schools and formal education in general. Yet Pete Maloff read voraciously, corresponded widely and traveled much of the world. He also suffered cruelty in Canadian jails and prisons for his pacifist principles and resistance to taxes. He comes across as a man true to himself and his values. As the saying goes, “He walked his talk.” But the book also shows how his actions distanced him from his brother and caused his wife and children to be confined and separated from one another for a long period, thus illustrating how an uncompromising devotion to principle by one can result in suffering for others.
In this violent, materialistic, over-crowded world, the Maloffs stand apart as a family of generous, honest and principled people who lived their lives responsibly and gently on the earth.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mr. Pete Maloff was a man of peace, a man of deep convictions and one who had a deeply earnest motivation to bring about the survival of mankind by ending war and helping others to live a higher and better life. He was a vegetarian of three generations and a Doukhobor.” For these convictions he and his family suffered greatly at the hands of government authorities. In the same way the government tried to assimilate Indigenous peoples using inhumane means, so too Doukhabors faced the institutionalization of their children, land being taken away, and jail. The book is a fascinating read, all the more so because of the memories of events from the people who lived it.

[Vera Enshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly informative! A fascinating look at the Doukhobor life, and especially the lives of the author's great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. She sticks to the task - the historical memories of her family - and doesn't wander.
The only quibble I have is that it was sometimes difficult to know where the 'memory speaker' ended and the author, or another memory speaker, began.
I highly recommend this book, well written and I found it difficult to put down.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really interesting learning about this Doukhobor family and its history.

I hadn't realized the level of persecution some experienced last century.

It was also interesting to learn about this family's values, and the groups it allied itself with.

I have a lot of respect for those who are willing to take a stand for peace.

[Nada Loughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/our-back...

[Vontel]

A library loan due back before I could get to it, so just a quick scan to re-request. A fascinating book about some less than savory chapters in Canada's history, including jail, torture, removing children, etc, most of it not known in the wider public, & especially the younger generations. Sometimes there were some grounds for justice actions but much of it more treatments of "others" by the primarily British settlers & governments. It even makes one think of the treatment of other groups in Canada. The focus of this book is on the author's extended family history in the Kootenays of British Columbia, & incorporates many photos. This provides the lattice to incorporate descriptions of how the pacifist Doukhobors came to North America in the late 1800's & early 1900's, to Western Canada & in particular the groups that came to BC. Their way of life in the area, with a focus on farming & family life. It also includes their history of welcoming American draft dodgers & others to their communities. Major names others might recognize from the area are Nelson, Castlegar, & Trail.