Sointula: An Island Utopia

by Paula Wild

Sointula - it means "harmony" - is a tiny community on Malcolm Island, a short ferry ride from northern Vancouver Island. It was founded at the turn of the century by the Kalevan Kansa Society, a group of Finnish utopians, and Matti Kurikka, their charismatic but impractical leader. Despite serious setbacks, including a disastrous fire in 1903 that killed eleven people, the Finns built a thriving community. Even after the Kalevan Kansa ended, locals were blackballed all along the coast for their fervour in organizing loggers' and fishermen's unions. A fresh wave of utopians arrived in Sointula in the 1960s, and while they were shunned by many residents, some of the older generation recognized in the "hippies" the hopes and dreams of their forefathers.

Paula Wild lived in Sointula for many years. In researching her book, she talked to more than forty residents and translated innumerable Finnish documents and letters.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Knitography · Rating 2 out of 5]

The history of Sointula is interesting and, I suspect, little known, so I appreciated learning more about the influence of Finnish socialists on this part of the world. That said, the writing style is not compelling; the author doesn't tell a story so much as she recites a litany of dates, events and names.

Conspicuously absent is any mention of the First Nations people - the 'Namgis - on whose territory Sointula was built. I find it difficult to believe that the Sointula Finns never interacted with the 'Namgis, particularly considering the extent to which they traveled through the area (including Alert Bay). I'm also interested in what the 'Namgis thought of the Finns, and it's disappointing that Wild doesn't appear to have made an effort to have pursued that part of the story, nor acknowledged the existence of the 'Namgis at all. Rendering First Nations people invisible in their own territory is kind of gross.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyvä kirja, mutta lukuisat suomalaisten nimien kirjoitusvirheet todella häiritsivät. Tuli olo, mihin muuhunkaan voi luottaa. Ehkä esimerkiksi Työväen arkistosta olisi löytynyt joku suomen- ja englanninkielentaitoinen, joka olisi voinut oikoa ilmeisimmät virheet?

[Connie Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the settlement of Malcolm Island, BC