Holocaust survivor, renowned author and Order of Ontario recipient Dr. Eva Olsson will bring her story of survival to Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) and Horse Lake First Nation on October 21 - 25. The public is invited to a free evening presentation on Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre, 11633-100 Street, Grande Prairie.

Dr. Eva Olsson uses the Holocaust and her experiences in it as a springboard to discuss the following key issues:

  • The power of hate and the need to stop it wherever it occurs. She focuses on bullying in society (including Nazi Germany), which has become an especially big problem.
  • The importance of not being a bystander when bad things are happening. Evil thrives when good people stand back and let it happen. People must stand together to oppose evil.
  • The importance of having compassion and respect for self and others - It must go beyond mere tolerance. Children have to see these qualities displayed by adults in their lives, especially at home and in their schools. Children model their behaviour on the adults around them.
  • Education must go beyond the three "R's", and help students develop character as well.

Eva's PowerPoint presentation contains pictures from the Holocaust and pictures taken when she retraced her life in 2007, visiting her birthplace and three concentration camps.