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Calgary Herald

Opinion: Waterton-Glacier Peace Park a reminder of goodwill between nations

In the weeks ahead, you will hear more about the Rotary International Convention coming to Calgary from June 21 to 25. Up to 20,000 Rotarians from around the world will descend on our city. Article content Article content Given the current times, several Rotary members thought it would be appropriate for Calgarians to learn more about a peace initiative with our friends in the United States that was conceived, promoted, and nurtured to this day by Rotarians on both sides of the border. Article content Article content It all began when a group of Rotarians from Cardston invited fellow Rotarians to a goodwill meeting at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park in July 1931. More than 100 Rotarians from Montana, Saskatchewan and Alberta attended. Article content Article content There was a consensus to advocate for the creation of an international peace park that would encompass both Waterton and Glacier national parks. It was resolved, 'that the proper authorities be petitioned to commence negotiations to establish the two parks indicated as a permanent International Peace Park, which will be definitely set aside for this laudable purpose, pledging our loyalty and allegiance to foster all international relationships.' Article content Canadian and American Rotarians reached out to their respective federal governments and, in the days when things could get done expeditiously, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park — the first of its kind — was commemorated on June 18, 1932. Article content Article content It's worth noting the words of leaders of the day. Article content Prime minister R.B. Bennett said, 'It is my earnest hope that this great International Peace Park stretching across our common frontier and in which citizens of both our countries may seek recreation, may forever remain a permanent memorial of all that neighbourly relations should be between adjoining nations.' Article content Said U.S. president Herbert Hoover: 'Dedication of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a full gesture of the goodwill that has so long blessed our relations with our Canadian neighbours, and I am gratified by the hope and the faith that it will forever be an appropriate symbol of permanent peace and friendship.' Article content The peace park combines the 525-square-kilometre Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada with the 4,144-square-km Glacier National Park in the U.S. The arrangement allows both national parks to operate as separate entities under the peace park mantle. Thereafter, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association was created to perpetuate the message of peace and goodwill inspired by this monumental achievement.