Vietnam War Resisters Event
Submitted by Joline Martin
Those of us coming of age during the sixties hold vivid images of that time’s turmoil. Others born later are curious about the notorious protests, riots and social change of that era. Since the fall of Saigon, which effectively ended the Vietnam War, people are reliving the memories of divided families, violent protests and the senseless loss of life. In our current political climate, remembering the Vietnam War has never been so important.
While the media widely reported the protests, Americans resisting the war by leaving the US has been under-reported. Two noteworthy works are joining to broaden the public’s understanding of resisters who had the courage to take a different route, one of peace. Patricia Gruben’s movie Heart of Gold is a fictional feature film about Michael, an army draftee who left active duty for Canada while his girlfriend stayed behind and joined the underground resistance. Michael’s journey into Canada and the compassion he experienced from Americans smuggling him into Canada and the Doukhobors who helped him settle in their community is mirrored in Joline Martin’s book, War Resisters, Standing Against the Vietnam. War Resisters offers a contemporary perspective by featuring previously untold stories of twelve Vancouver Island war resisters, along with bridging chapters that explain the geopolitical influences of the Vietnam War era. Together, the two works bring fact and fiction to present a blended portrait of what it was like for war resisters to stand by their principles and leave their homes, not knowing if they could ever return.
Joline and Patricia both came to Canada from the States in 1972 as political dissidents — Joline to join her war resister brother in Haida Gwaii, Patricia to reunite with a resister on active duty in Toronto.
Their Vietnam War Resister Event is at the Activity Centre gym, Denman Island, Sunday, October 19th, 2025. Heart of Gold starts at 1pm, tickets $10 at the door, and the War Resisters, Standing Against the Vietnam War launch starts at 2:30, free.
