2012 - Current News & Events of Doukhobor Interest
May 12, 2012 - Live Video - 65th Union of Youth Festival
We have confirmed that the USCC video team will be streaming the festival Saturday Evening Program, as they did last year, Saturday evening, May 19th starting at 7:00 pm
You can view the Ustream video here on our website: http://www.usccdoukhobors.org/galleries/livestream.htm
You can also view older video streams in our video archive here:
http://www.usccdoukhobors.org/galleries/vidarchive.htm
April 23, 2012 - 65th Annual USCC Doukhobor Union of Youth Festival
Theme - Celebration of Youth Through the Ages - May 19 & 20, 2012
Program information posted on the Union of Youth Website -
http://uofy.usccdoukhobors.org/
April 23, 2012 - Okanagan Boundary Kootenay Peace and Justice Conference
The Mir Centre for Peace at Selkirk College will be hosting the biannual Okanagan Boundary Kootenay Peace and Justice Conference
Date and time: Saturday, April 28th, 9:30 am -5 pm
Cost: $15 including lunch
Location: Mir Centre for Peace, Castlegar Campus
Please rsvp with JJ Verigin: jjverigin@telus.net or phone 250-442-8252 for more info.
Pre-registration is appreciated for catering purposes.
April 09, 2012 - Learn how to keep your tax dollars from funding war
- at the Peace Café (Thur Apr 19)
Over 1.5 trillion dollars is spent each year by governments worldwide on militaries and war. If you want to work for peace and are interested in learning how to keep your tax dollars from supporting war, attend the Peace Café hosted by Selkirk College's Mir Centre for Peace and Conscience Canada at Selkirk College's Castlegar campus on Thursday, April 19.
Event organizer, Anna Kirkpatrick says people have been approaching Conscience Canada wanting to learn more about the concept since BC Southern Interior NDP MP Alex Atamanenko introduced his private members Bill C-363 – an act respecting conscientious objection to the use of taxes for military purposes – to Parliament late last year.
Kirkpatrick says she is personally opposed to having her hard-earned dollars used to fund the military.
"I want to dedicate my money and my time to creative, constructive, peaceful solutions," Kirkpatrick notes. "I cannot, in good conscience, allow my tax dollars to fund the military."
Mir Centre for Peace Chair, Randy Janzen adds that the face of war has changed over the years and the secret to resisting it now lies in the financing of it.
"A few generations ago they conscripted our young men," Janzen says. "War has changed. Now they need our money more than our young people. So the notion of conscientious objection has changed. If we don't believe in war to solve our problems, we need to stop contributing financially. Instead we need to redirect our money to fund practices and research that utilize nonviolent strategies."
"The timing of this peace Café coincides with the upcoming deadline to file our income tax," Janzen added. At the event Mr. Atamanenko will speak about his bill, followed by two short documentaries: Death and Taxes, and Conscience Canada's own short film, Work for Peace, Stop Paying for War. The evening will finish with an opportunity for questions and discussion.
The Peace Café starts at 7:00 pm, with admission by donation. Refreshments will be served. To learn more about Selkirk College's Mir Centre for Peace, visit:
selkirk.ca/research/mir-centre-for-peace/
April 09, 2012 - Historic 1947 film mentions Doukhobor farmers
April 03, 2012 - Whatshan Music Festival - July 6-8, 2012
Join Castlegar's Freedom Quest Regional Youth Services - July 6-8, 2012 as it presents its main fundraiser - the 12th Annual Whatshan Music & Family Festival (near Nakusp). See headliners such as Barney Bentall, Henry Small Band (Prism Lead singer), Good for Grapes, Blues singer Darren Johnson, Celtic Trio; Rough Pearl, Kimberlites, Ray Lemelin, & local up and comers – Jason Thomas, Lisa Nicole and many more. Daily activities include: Belly Dancing; Yoga; Bocce; Horseshoes; Bingo; Silent Auction; Second Stage Jam Sessions; Children's Arts, Crafts and Activities; Ladies Hollering Contest, Sunflower Seed Spitting Contest, food vendors and artisans. Come and enjoy all of this and explore over 100 acres of pristine private wilderness. Book your tickets and campsites early! For more information visit the Festival website: www.whatshanmusicfestival.com Learn all about the Whatshan Lake Retreat at: http://whatshan.com/
March 14, 2012 - USCC Annual Convention (AGM) Press Release 2012
The Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) held its annual convention in Castlegar on February 25 and 26 at the Brilliant Cultural Centre. Delegates representing member communities in the Kootenay Boundary, and the Vancouver, Okanagan and Calgary regions, and organizational committees and groups met to review the organization's spiritual and cultural activities, the state of its finances and assets, and structural changes implemented in 2010.
Delegates expressed their appreciation to members of the organization's governing body, the Executive Committee composed of Chairperson Jim Horkoff of Nelson, Treasurer Robert Zwick of Glade, Secretary Michael Davidoff of Ootischenia, Spiritual and Cultural Development Liaison Barry Verigin of Grand Forks, Finances and Asset Stewardship Liaison Briane Verigin of Winlaw, Youth, Membership and Communications Liaison Bonnie Strukoff of Delta, and External Relations and Administration Liaison Maxim Voykin of Vancouver , for their effective implementation of structural changes and their prudent management of organizational affairs.
USCC Community Representatives for Spiritual and Cultural Development, Colin Markin (South Kootenay Communities), Leonard Markin (North Kootenay Communities), and Stephanie Swetlishoff (Grand Forks Communities); for Finances and Asset Stewardship, Fred Bojey (South Kootenay Communities), Lovette Nichvolodoff (North Kootenay Communities), and Larry Jmaiff (Grand Forks Communities), and for Youth Membership and Communications, Wendy Voykin (South Kootenay Communities), Paris Voykin (North Kootenay communities) and Ellen Strelaeff (Grand Forks Communities), were also thanked for their work in advancing structural changes and for initiatives undertaken within their respective communities and across the organization during their terms of service.
The convention expressed its appreciation to USCC Ladies Organizations and related groups in Grand Forks and the Kootenays, the Union of Youth Council, the Cultural Interpretive Society and the Kootenay Men's Group and to other organizational groups ranging from Children's Sunday Meetings to Ladies Spiritual Meetings and Psalmists groups in the Kootenays and Grand Forks for sustaining the Doukhobor Life Concept, culture and traditions, their support of the organization and their involvement in the wider community. In addition, the editor and staff of Iskra Publications and volunteers administering the organization's website were also gratefully acknowledged by delegates, who also welcomed the development of a Communications Advisory Board.
During the convention delegates adopted new bylaws as well as resolutions empowering the Executive Committee and relevant Standing Committees to investigate ethical investment options, how to leverage organizational finances and assets to advance membership benefits and organizational interests, and ways to encourage more youth and adults to become engaged in organizational affairs. Delegates were pleased by the transparency and clarity of the financial report and adopted a balanced budget for 2012, with a $30 increase to membership donations across all membership categories. Appreciation was also expressed to the Ladies Organizations and Kootenay Men's Group for their financial support, and to Tres Dergousoff for her ongoing advice and assistance.
Convention delegates expressed their appreciation to JJ Verigin for his service to the organization and membership and unanimously reaffirmed him in his role as Executive Director. Verigin thanked the delegates for their confidence and support and pledged to continue efforts to deepen the spiritual understanding and the cultural horizons of membership and to strengthen their sense of community.
A highlight of the convention took place on Sunday following a traditional Doukhobor moleniye when Nick and Mildred Relkoff and Mike and Nina Jmieff from the North Kootenay Communities, George and Katie Koochin, Peter and Vera Makeiff, and Mike and Patsy Popoff from the South Kootenay Communities, and John and Mary Harasemow, and Anne Ogloff, and Phyllis Gritchen from the Grand Forks Communities were recognized, thanked, and gifted for their lifelong dedication and service to the USCC and its membership.
The convention was ably chaired by Larry Veregin and proceedings recorded by secretaries and assistants Marcia Strelaeff and Vera Kanigan, and Val Samsonoff and Fay Malins. A sumptuous meal and snacks were provided by the Kootenay Ladies organization, and convention setup and takedown was attended to by the Kootenay Activity Fulfillment Team.
March 11, 2012 - Brilliant Cultural Centre Video
USCC Talent Night - Castlegar, BC ( Mar.10, 2012)
March 4, 2012 - Food Sovereignty Public Forums
Alex Atamanenko, MP, has announced that Colleen Ross, an organic farmer and Vice President of Policy for the National Farmers Union (NFU) has accepted his invitation to be the guest speaker alongside local panellists at several public forums on Food Sovereignty that he is organizing with others for the week of March 18-23 throughout the Riding he represents - BC Southern Interior.
Besides her work with the NFU, Colleen has travelled and worked extensively with Via Campesina, the global movement of small farmers behind the famous Food Sovereignty Statement. She brings with her a wealth of stories and information on food movements in both Canada and internationally.
Atamanenko has issued the following public invitation:
"As many of you will already know, the barriers and challenges facing farmers and eaters both here and around the world to produce, trade, and access healthy and sustainable food supplies are many. The solutions to these challenges are varied and often complex, but overcoming these barriers will rely on the intentional actions of informed citizens in each and every community. It has never been more important to keep the conversation going and get everyone involved in our food future.
"I hope you will all come out to meet Colleen at one of the forums listed below to participate in what is sure to be a lively and informative discussion followed by a chance to mingle over coffee and cake. "
All forums are FREE and start at 7:00 P.M.
March 18 - United Church - 602 Silica St., Nelson
March 19 - Senior Citizens Hall - 565-71st Ave., Grand Forks
March 20 - Elks Club - 9725-360th Ave., Oliver
March 21 - Cawston Hall - 2119 Main St., Cawston
March 22 - Princeton Legion - 172 Bridge St., Princeton
February10, 2012 - Conscience Canada Peace Café
Curious to learn more about how our taxes fund the military? Eager to find constructive ways to work for peace? Attend the Peace Café gathering on Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00PM at Self Design High. Self Design High is above the Legion, across from the Nelson Library, Nelson, BC.
The evening will feature hot soup and plenty of food for thought, including an introduction to war tax resistance and the important work of Conscience Canada.
The event will begin with a simple meal catered by Soups in Season. Following this, MP Alex Atamanenko will speak briefly about Bill C-363. Next up will be two documentaries: the British film “Contempt of Conscience” and Conscience Canada’s own short film “Work for Peace, Stop Paying for War”. The evening will wrap up with an opportunity for questions and discussion. The event is by donation. All are warmly invited to attend!
For more information: http://www.consciencecanada.ca/ 250-551-5116
February 01, 2012 - Kootenay Festival Plans Unveiled
Audrey Maxwell Polovnikoff, Recreation/Cultural Programmer with the Castlegar & District Recreation Department, Regional District of Central Kootenay, has announced some of the plans for the 2012 edition of the ever-popular annual multicultural extravaganza. This year’s event will take place on July 14, 2012.
The mission of Kootenay Festival - Let's Celebrate! is “to produce an annual multi-cultural arts festival that will engage the public in an accessible multi-faceted cultural experience. It is the intention of Kootenay Festival - Let's Celebrate! to use this platform to encourage the appreciation and recognition of community diversity through entertainment, cuisine, education and artistic expression of all cultures” .
In past years, various local Doukhobor groups and individuals, including the Vision of Peace Youth Choir and other participants, have taken an active part in Kootenay Festival - Let's Celebrate! This year’s programme promises to be the best one yet.
For additional information visit the Festival website. Website link ...
January 30, 2012 - Doukhobors and the "Occupy" Movement
As with much of the North American and world population, the various underlying themes of the recent “Occupy” movement have resonated with many Doukhobors. Young people in particular have related to the various issues and motivations expressed by activists in the movement. This website has received inquiries as to what the Doukhobor position may be. Although there is no official position on this matter from the USCC or other Doukhobor groups that we are aware of, there have been quite a number of materials circulated that could give some insights into what a Doukhobor perspective might be like.
Doukhobor activist and writer, Koozma J. Tarasoff, recently posted some thoughts on this subject in his personal Blog. Website link ...
An excellent historical example is described by Quaker scholar and activist, George Lakey, in his article, “Waging Nonviolence - How Swedes and Norwegians broke the power of the “1 Percent”. Website link ...
Another very interesting and informative article gives an indication as to why the “Occupy” movement began in the USA. It also shows that, although Sweden and Norway (as per the above article) do enjoy the best income equality in the world (Table 7), they still have a way to go in gaining a desirable degree of wealth distribution (Table 4). Website link ...
The following article makes an interesting connection to the historical development of Canada’s CCF-NDP party. Website link ...
There is always ongoing related activity at the MIR Peace Centre, Selkirk College, Castlegar, BC, as for example - Website link ...:
Interested visitors to our site are encouraged to explore these and other materials and to share their own ideas by writing to our USCC Doukhobor periodical. ISKRA.
January 15, 2012 - Website Acknowledgements Posted
With sincere gratitude, the USCC Web Group is proud to post a list of financial supporters for 2011 (Webpage link), as well as the updated list of acknowledgements (Webpage link) for all those who are contributing in some way. We look forward to working with all of you, and others, for the ongoing exciting development of this website in the coming years
January 9, 2012 - Film, The War Between Us, to be screened locally.
The MIR Peace Centre at Selkirk College in Castlegar has unveiled a rich slate of programmes and events for the 2012 winter season. In addition to University programmes in Peace Studies, these include a continuing series of Peace Lectures by an array of National and International figures, a current photo exhibit on the world-wide Occupy movement, a January 28th Workshop on Nonviolent Conflict Intervention, and a January 12th showing of The War Between Us, a film about the Japanese Internment Camp Experience, preceded by a talk by Aya Hagashi, a 90 year old internment camp survivor. This feature film is being shown in conjunction with Touchstones Nelson's exhibition Two Views: Photographs by Ansel Adams and Leonard Frank. A portrayal of internment camps in the early 1940s, on display until February 5, 2012 at Touchstones Nelson Museum.
More information about these and many other activities ...
January 3, 2012 - USCC Christmas and New Year's Program Archived Videos
New Year's Eve, December 31, 2011
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011
