John J. Verigin
- Grand Forks
John
J. Verigin, the leader of the Doukhobor people, has devoted his
life to promoting peace and mutual understanding between peoples
of different ethnic backgrounds. He helped safeguard the pacifist
status of Doukhobors during World War II and has been active in
the peace movement since the 1960s.
The Doukhobor
beliefs of pacifism, vegetarianism and cooperative effort were once
foreign, but are now part of the values of many people who live
in the Kootenay region. From his home in Grand Forks, John J. Verigin
has worked tirelessly to counteract fanatical activity and media
sensationalism and has laboured to integrate the Doukhobor community
within the wider Canadian Cultural Mosaic. For this he received
the Order of Canada in 1977.
He has actively
promoted better relations between Canada and the former U.S.S.R.,
resulting in many cultural exchanges, travel and educational opportunities
for people of both countries. In 1989 he was awarded "The Order
of the Peoples' Friendship" by Mikhail Gorbachev.
Mr. Verigin
has coordinated a six week respite visit to the Kootenay area for
children suffering the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident
and has worked with others to collect, transport and distribute
critical supplies to needy communities in the former U.S.S.R.
Throughout his
life, John J. Verigin has been steadfast in his efforts to promote
world peace and disarmament, human rights and social justice.
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