In the west of British Columbia lies the town of Castlegar, surrounded by settlements unusual for Canada. At first glance, it is hard to tell where the cottages with sloping roofs, barns, and prayer houses came from. The residents also seem unusual: they speak an old dialect, using archaic words like "uzho", "pokuda", "dyuzhe", "davecha", "vestimo". They are descendants of Russian Doukhobors who emigrated to Canada in the early 20th century to escape religious persecution.

Doukhobors reject church rituals, believing that the spirit of God is present in every person. They have preserved a traditional way of life: women wear sarafans and white headscarves, while men wear handmade hemp kosovorotkas. In their homes, one can see wooden buffets, woolen carpets, ancient icons, and portraits of ancestors. They often pray outdoors, setting up a wooden table with water, bread, and salt before the service, symbols of labor and peaceful life.

Doukhobors are hardworking and enterprising people. Many work on farms, in the forestry industry, and own shops in neighboring towns and villages. They are respected in Canada. They have a community fund, thanks to which Russian emigrants built a museum and cultural center. Additionally, for over 70 years, they have been publishing a magazine called "Iskra" in Russian.