One huge family in Castlegar

Netta Zeberoff is pleased to share her Doukhobor heritage with visitors

Netta Zeberoff, curator of the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, loves both her job and her life. — Breanne Massey photo

Kootenay Business talks to Netta Zeberoff, curator of Castlegar's Doukhobor Discovery Centre, who shares her thoughts about her job, her community and some of her interesting downtime activities.

What do you like about working in your community?

We have many communities within Castlegar and its surrounding area. The people are friendly, welcoming all to our weekend markets and events. It is like one huge family where everyone cares. People are talented in many ways and it is wonderful to support local producers, artists, et al.

Why did you choose to stay and work in Castlegar?

It is a privilege to hold the position of curator of the Doukhobor Discovery Centre.  I have always been a collector and savior of curiosities from the flames of the fire, filling my hope chests with treasures, higher and higher. When the position was posted, I pondered for months about the enormity of the job and its responsibilities and now we are restoring, archiving and moving (ahead) with volunteers and summer students. It is working!

When David Thomson University in Nelson was hosting international students back in the '70s they would call and ask me to come and talk about our Doukhobor history. So I had a couple of suitcases packed with artifacts and went to the classrooms. I spoke a bit about some of the history, sang songs, answered questions and passed around implements and fabrics. It was fun to share some of our significant national heritage several times a year with all.

We look forward to sharing our peaceful agrarian culture with visitors, volunteers and all families, friends and guests.

What do you do in your downtime?

When there is downtime, (I) paint, read, write, play guitar, sing, swim, hike (and) share practical experiences. (For example, in the summer of 2012, Zeberoff will offer a class called  Learning Grandmother’s Ways).

If someone were visiting you from out of town, where would you take them to give them a taste of the place?

Our own amazing Selkirk Weavers have been sharing traditional skills for over two decades. Kootenay Gallery next door has amazing pieces. Zuckeberg Island and the Selkirk Trails will lead you to the edge of the water.  (There are) some really great spots here for swimming in the summer. In the winter there are ski trails and mountains, with hot springs close by any time of (the) year. We have the first suspension bridge ever built and (it) is now restored and safe to walk upon for a thrilling view of the crystal water dancing upon the river. And the amazing energy from the beautifully kept grounds at Verigin's Tomb (now called Verigin's Memorial Park) is somewhere that people come back to experience time and time again.