Teresa Kewachuk
June 9, 2014
Interview by Canada Broadcasting Company
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CBC Interview with Teresa Kewachuk, Monday, June 9, 2014

I grew up here in Pugwash.  When I was finishing university, Donnie Jamieson asked if I wanted to work at the Lodge, so I bought a nursing uniform.  This was 1989, the end of the Cold War.  I was studying anthropology and then I went into education.  I asked Ramon Bourque and then Mrs. Eaton if I could listen to the discussions during the conferences.  The Russians, the Americans, the French were all working here to try to come to some agreement. What I remember is the conference attendees were very genuine.  One of my fondest memories would be to stand in the dining hall and watch the delegates.  I always memorized what they wanted for breakfast.  The gift of being here was meeting people on a very human scale.  When people come, they say there is something about this place.  That was the magic of it.  There wasn’t any press.  They were free to speak.

I think it's important to teach the students to be proactive on the little things that they can do.  There's a saying if you don't stand for anything, you fall down. If you don't know your history, you tend to put pressure on the next generation. If you plug into the news stories, you will get depressed. 

When I first met Joseph Rotblat, he was a very gracious gentleman. He was gracious and sincere.  I do think that the scientists stopped World War III. I think the scientists found their humanity here. I think the scientists from behind the Iron Curtain could move freely here in Pugwash. I think the phrase remember your humanity comes from Bertrand Russell first.  

Sandy Butcher said, "Very pleased to finally meet Teresa - she not only ensures Thinkers Lodge National Historic Site runs smoothly with a great team of people, but she also does so much to help students (including our own ISYP students) better understand the legacy of what happened here - and she has 2 wonderfully playful dogs who know how to have fun."