Podcasts about doukhobors

The bellicose and authoritarian Russian state's propaganda exploitation of the anarcho-pacifist novelist Leo Tolstoy is an obvious and perverse irony. But a less obvious irony also presents itself. Like all fascist regimes, that of Vladimir Putin is stigmatizing and even criminalizing homosexuality and other sexual "deviance." Following alarming reports of "concentration camps" for gay men in the Russian republic of Chechnya, Moscow began to impose an anti-gay agenda nationwide. A 2020 constitutional reform officially enshrined "traditional marriage," while a "gay propaganda law" imposes penalties on any outward expression of gay identity, resulting in police raids on Moscow gay bars. The "LGBT movement" has been designated a "terrorist organization"; media depictions of same-sex love are banned as "deviant content." Yet the venerable littérateur now glorified as a symbol of Russian nationalism may have himself been gay. In Episode 249 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg interviews Javier Sethness Castro, author of Queer Tolstoy: A Psychobiography (Routledge 2023). In one sickening propaganda display, Tolstoy's photo was dramatically plastered by Putin's regime onto a barrier fence erected around the Mariupol Drama Theater—a civilian refuge that was bombed during the initial invasion of the Ukrainian port city in March 2022, leading to hundreds of deaths (including many children). By contrast, Marta Albertini, Tolstoy's great-grand daughter, hosts Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland. Sethness Castro notes that some contemporary Ukrainian ant-war writers are in the actual tradition of Tolstoy. Victoria Amelina, a Ukrainian poet and war-crimes investigator who was killed in a missile attack on a pizzeria in Kramatorsk in 2023, wrote the book Dom's Dream Kingdom, narrated from the perspective of a dog who watches his human family struggle over Ukrainian history. This is reminiscent of Tolstoy's short story "Strider," an early harbinger of the animal rights movement, which is written from the perspective of a horse. Another link to Tolstoy in the news is the British Columbia government's recent apology to the Doukhobors, a Russian dissident religious sect, for forcibly assimilating their children in the 1950's. Tolstoy supported the Doukhobors, who were persecuted by the Tsars for their pacifism, and even wrote Resurrection (1899) to finance their migration from the Russian Empire to Canada. His son Sergei Tolstoy and biographer Aylmer Maude led the resettlement, and Peter Kropotkin (another paradoxical anarchist aristocrat) also encouraged it. A reassessment of Tolstoy's sexuality is apropos at this moment in light of recent challenges raised against millennia of Christian homophobia. In any case, Tolstoy's anti-militarism provides important perspectives for our current moment, with multiple genocides ongoing, and humanity on the knife's edge due to the risk of escalating regional wars in both Europe and the Middle East. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/countervortex Production by Chris Rywalt We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon -- or $2 for our new special offer! We now have 69 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 70!

B.C.'s premier apologizes to Doukhobors, decades after they were removed from their families. Also: As a moratorium on renewable energy projects comes to an end in Alberta, the industry worries about what comes next. Plus: Where you live in Canada can dramatically affect your ability to access IVF to have a baby.

CBC's Brady Strachan gives us an overview of what to expect today when B.C.'s Attorney General makes a formal apology today. She's apologizing on behalf of the provincial government to the Sons of Freedom, part of the Doukhobor community, whose children were taken from them in the 1950's as punishment. A new Angus Reid poll has found half of Canadians under 55 fear losing their jobs. Angus Reid research associate Jon Roe joins us to look at how people are feeling. And finally, we cover the update on the prescribed safe supply program with Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Dr. Alexis Crabtree, BC Centre for Disease Control; and Dr. Alice Virani, Provincial Health Services Authority.

Hear about driving the Selkirk Loop in Washington State, Idaho, and British Columbia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Anthony and Jodie St. Clair from learnersandmakers.com about their favorite road trip. https://amateurtraveler.com/driving-the-selkirk-loop/ Why should you drive the Selkirk Loop? Anthony and Jodie say, "It is just the most epic, gorgeous views of nature, I think. And it's very accessible. I (Jodie) am an amputee, and so I'm always looking for ways to easily access nature. It felt like we were out in the middle of these beautiful spaces while I didn't have to do a ten-mile hike to do it. " "We've driven things like the Blue Ridge Parkway in, Virginia, North Carolina, we've driven highway one in California. We've RV'd across the entire USA. The Selkirk loop holds its own with any of those scenic drives." Leg 1: Spokane, Washington to Newport, Washington The easiest place to access the Selkirk Loop is from Spokane, Washington. Stretch your legs in Newport, a small town at the beginning of the Selkirk Loop. Check out the visitor center, museum, and the giant paddle wheel. Don't miss the county museum, showcasing the timber industry and the region's history. Leg 2: Newport to Sandpoint, Idaho Head south to Sandpoint, Idaho, situated on Lake Pend Oreille. Enjoy water activities, and boat tours, and explore the surrounding mountains. The lake is the star here, and various public beach areas exist. Sandpoint offers a mix of outdoor adventures and charming small-town vibes. Leg 3: Sandpoint to Creston, British Columbia Cross the border into Canada and explore Creston. Visit an organic dairy farm, sample cheese, and experience the meshing of organic practices with technology. Check out the Kootenay Columbia Discovery Center for nature exploration and hands-on experiences. Leg 4: Creston to Kootenay Bay (Ferry) to Kaslo Take the free ferry from Kootenay Bay to experience the Kaslo area. Explore artisan workshops in Crawford Bay and soak in the town's history and nature. Kaslo offers a mix of small-town charm, outdoor activities, and a chance to visit the SS Moyie, a restored paddle-wheeler turned museum. Leg 5: Kaslo to Castlegar Head south to Castlegar, known for its outdoor art, sculpture garden, and Zuckerberg Island. Walk across a suspension bridge, explore hiking trails, and enjoy the mix of nature and town life. Learn about the Doukhobors' history and their sustainable farming practices. Leg 6: Castlegar to Boundary Reservoir Recreation Area Cross back into the US and visit the Boundary Reservoir Recreation Area. Kayak to Pee Wee Falls, a stunning 233-foot waterfall. Hike to Sweet Creek Falls for a short, easy trail with a wading pool. Take in the region's beauty while enjoying simpler pleasures like skipping rocks into the creek. Leg 7: Boundary Reservoir to the End Explore Gardner Cave, the longest known cave in Washington state, and take a guided family-friendly tour—hike to Sweet Creek Falls for another waterfall experience. Enjoy the scenic Vista House, overlooking the Boundary Waters dam. Drive through communities like Ione and Metaline Falls, and don't miss Gardner Cave, the longest-known cave in Washington state. Reflect on the incredible memories as you approach the end of this unforgettable road trip.  

Episode 272: Peter Vasilievich Verigin, also known as “Lordly,” was a highly respected and influential leader among the Doukhobors. These Doukhobors had migrated to Canada in 1899, seeking a new life and religious freedom. Verigin was pivotal in guiding and inspiring them to create a strong and united community based on their religious beliefs. However, tragedy struck in 1924, casting a dark shadow over Verigin's legacy. An explosion occurred on Car 1586 of the Kettle Valley Line, resulting in the loss of Verigin's life, the life of his companion, and seven others. The devastating incident left people shocked and searching for answers. Some suspected that fanatics or government agents might have been responsible, while others believed that fellow Doukhobors or accidental causes played a role. The truth behind this tragic event remains a mystery, and the case remains unsolved. Sources: Home | Doukhobor Heritage Doukhobor Discovery Centre - Home The Kootenay-Columbia Fuel Supply Company at Nelson, BC | Doukhobor Heritage Explosion on the Kettle Valley Line: The Death of Peter Verigin Peter Vasilevich Verigin | The Canadian Encyclopedia Doukhobors | The Canadian Encyclopedia The River Press 05 Nov 1902, page 2 - Newspapers.com Times Colonist 29 Oct 1924, page 1 - Newspapers.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Old Ice Road Trucking Pal 'Steady' Eddie Plotnikoff joins the show to fill us in on Winter Road 2023, Covid Jail for Ice Road Truckers, his background as a hippie logging truck driver and descendant of Doukhobors, and plays some tunes for us. You can find Eddie's music here on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zf40WdQGWnXYL2Gmc5z91 Contact the show! gordilocks@protonmail.com Follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DriverAutonomy And on Substack - https://autonomoustruckers.substack.com/

I read from douce to doula with Oscar from "The Chunky Scones" in Highland Park, IL. https://www.thechunkyscones.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thechunkyscone/ https://www.facebook.com/thechunkyscones/     The "douche bag" clip is from the movie "Wet Hot American Summer". https://youtu.be/seqWiHLCmcY     The history of "doughface" is a little confusing but I guess it originally meant an actual mask made out of dough.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doughface     The etymology of "doughnut" doesn't give much info about why the word "nut" was added. https://www.etymonline.com/word/doughnut#etymonline_v_13978     The "Douglas fir" line is from the Pilot episode of the TV show "Twin Peaks" and the entire scene really needs to be watched. No, the entire episode. NO! The entire series! https://youtu.be/ivbLttU__t8     Wanna be a doula or learn more about it? Check out these links. https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/how-to-become-certified/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doula https://www.dona.org/     The word of the episode is "Doukhobor". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doukhobors     Theme music from Jonah Kraut https://jonahkraut.bandcamp.com/     Merchandising! https://www.teepublic.com/user/spejampar     "The Dictionary - Letter A" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter B" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter C" on YouTube   "The Dictionary - Letter D" on YouTube     Featured in a Top 10 Dictionary Podcasts list! https://blog.feedspot.com/dictionary_podcasts/     Backwards Talking on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmIujMwEDbgZUexyR90jaTEEVmAYcCzuq     dictionarypod@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/thedictionarypod/ https://twitter.com/dictionarypod https://www.instagram.com/dictionarypod/ https://www.patreon.com/spejampar https://www.tiktok.com/@spejampar 917-727-5757

The Doukhobors came to Canada at the turn of the 20th century, and were welcomed with open arms by Canadians. However, as time went on, their communal living, pacifism and commitment to hard work led to Canadians viewing them with suspicion. Things were not helped when the Sons of Freedom came along. Artwork/logo design by Janet Cordahi Support: patreon.com/canadaehx Merch: www.canadaehx.com/shop Donate: canadaehx.com (Click Donate) E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Twitter: twitter.com/craigbaird Mastadon: @canadaehx@canada.masto.host Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cdnhistoryehx YouTube: youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx Want to send me something? Craig Baird PO Box 2384 Stony Plain PO Main, Alberta T7Z1X8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Crafts joins The Nice Cult to discuss The Freedomite movement. This movement consists of a split-off of the Doukhobors, a community of Spiritual Christians who had emigrated from Russia to Canada in the late 1800s. The Freedomite movement first appeared in 1902 in Saskatchewan, and later in the Kootenay and Boundary Districts of British Columbia. The Good: So committed that they would burn their own house down just to prove a point. Ideal of community and self sufficiency are good. Nude Protesting. The Bad: So committed that they would burn their own house down just to prove a point. Burning money Nude Protesting. Bombs The Culty (is there anything in this cult worth incorporating into our own?): This week The Nice Cult takes on building a tutorial on how to create a cult... while in the nude. We also add a new title to all who listen to our podcast... "Renaldites" Culinary Crafts catering is offering a discount to anyone who uses the phrase "Renaldo sent me" for Their Nice Cult wedding. (Discount may vary) Sources: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedomites Doukhobor: https://doukhobor.org/the-origin-of-the-freedomite-movement/ Thrillist: https://www.thrillist.com/culture/the-10-craziest-cults-you-ve-never-heard-of-obscure-religious-sects-and-societies Culinary Crafts: https://www.culinarycrafts.com The Nice Cult: https://thenicecult.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenicecult/support

A train travelling along the Kettle Valley line in the dead of night in late October 1924. Near Farron, a day coach on the train exploded. The sound echoes through the region. At first, it is reported two are dead. Then three. Then four. Immediately, accusations started to fly around about how such an explosion was possible, and who was responsible. The federal government suspected it was people within the Doukhobor community, while the Doukhobors suspected it was the Canadian government. So, who was the person responsible for the death of Peter Verigin, the spiritual leader of the Community Doukhobors? Why would someone want him killed?  Visit us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/canadianhistoryCheck out our website: www.canadianhistorypodcast.caVisit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/canadianhistorywithstevenwilsonCheck us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNfOI7uxJ04GIn7O_b1yarACheck out our GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/ca5ddea0We are on Tik Tok: CanadianHistoryPodcast (@canadianhistorypodcast) TikTok | Watch CanadianHistoryPodcast's Newest TikTok VideosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our eighth episode of Unsolved Canadian Mysteries, Kenton de Jong and Dylan Fairman discuss the death of Peter "The Lordly" Verigin. Verigin was a Russian philosopher whose ideology was so extreme that it got him and his fellow Doukhobors kicked out of Russia. They came to Canada to start a new life, only to find a lot of new problems -- ones that to this day, the RCMP are still investigating.

A pacifist sect of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Doukhobors have had a profound impact on the Kootenay region. We meet the great-great-grandson of Peter Verigin, an influential Doukhobor leader killed in what is considered Canada's first act of terrorism. We then tour a family-owned state-of-the-art sawmill that's taking forestry into a more value-added future.

The origin of the Doukhobors dates back to 17th & 18th century Russia. The name translates to "spirit wrestler". The Christian sect emphasizes on obeying the light from within and rejecting civil authority. Towards the end of the 19th, 7,500 Doukhobor people fled religious persecution in Russia and sought refuge in Canada. This group was led Peter Vasilevich Verigin. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to our Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/freakyafpodcastYou can also support the show for free by leaving a 5-star rating or review on whatever listening platform you're listening to this episode on. Twitter and IG: @freakyafpodE-mail: freakyafpodcast@gmail.com Check out the Darkcast Network! darkcastnetwork.wixsite.com/indieAnd, as always, thanks for listening!Sources for this episode can be found here: https://freakyafpodcast.wordpress.com/2021/11/18/11-the-doukhobor-and-peter-verigen/

Full title: "Upon the Golden Pear Tree: Pagan Imagery in the Magical Incantations of the Doukhobors." This text is available in the zine No Quarter Nine, available through the mail by request made to captainmissionismycopilot@hotmail.com. Immediatism.com My other podcast, PointingTexts.org Feedback and requests to Cory@Immediatism.com, and your comment may be shared in a future episode

In this week's episode we discuss how a spiritual group known as the Doukhobors came to Canada and how their leader, Peter Verigin, may have been the target of a train bombing in 1924. 

Occultae Veritatis Podcast   Case #150b: The Doukhobor Spirit Wrestlers   Part 2 of 2   The second half of the story, from the 1930s on. The Doukhobors, a people divided, struggle against the government that betrayed them. Mass nude protests are met with the brutality of the RCMP, children are kidnapped and stripped of their culture, and a government avoids an apology, tune in for the entire story   Subscribe: https://ovpod.ca/ Support us: https://www.patreon.com/ovpod   Palate Cleanser: Nothing beats Doukhobor bread made fresh at the Ex Saskatoon StarPhoenix   Clip Sources: Harvest of Age Doukhobors in old age Larry Ewashen   The Spirit Wrestlers Jim Hamm Productions   In Search of Utopia: The Doukhobors Larry A. Ewashen   The Doukhobors of Saskatchewan.  June Morgan   Soul Communion Sharon Ann McGowan Blue Media Limited in association with Vision TV.   My Doukhobor Cousins Ole Gjerstad   Come Home to History! A Tour of the Doukhobor Dugout House, Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. Katya Szalasznyj

Occultae Veritatis Podcast   Case #150a: The Doukhobor Spirit Wrestlers   Part 1 of 2   A pacifist group of folk-protestants break away from their homeland in Russia, a place of persecution for them, and search for a life of freedom in early 1900s Canada. Do their find their paradise? Does the Canadian government allow them to live as they please? Its a long, painful story….   Subscribe: https://ovpod.ca/ Support us: https://www.patreon.com/ovpod   Palate Cleanser: Clips From “Harvest of Age”   Clip Sources: Harvest of Age Doukhobors in old age Larry Ewashen   The Spirit Wrestlers Jim Hamm Productions   In Search of Utopia: The Doukhobors Larry A. Ewashen   The Doukhobors of Saskatchewan.  June Morgan   Soul Communion Sharon Ann McGowan Blue Media Limited in association with Vision TV.   My Doukhobor Cousins Ole Gjerstad   Come Home to History! A Tour of the Doukhobor Dugout House, Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. Katya Szalasznyj

The Doukhobors are a people who came to Canada in the early-1900s and helped shape the areas they settled in. They were also forced to deal with prejudice, intolerance and even imprisonment for their beliefs.  Today, I speak with Vera Maloff, who wrote a book about her Doukhobor family history. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.ca/Our-Backs-Warmed-Sun-Life-Community/dp/1773860399 Support the show for $3/month at www.patreon.com/canadaehx or donate at www.canadaehx.com E-mail: craig@canadaehx.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/canadianhistoryehx Twitter: www.twitter.com/craigbaird Instagram: @bairdo37 YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/canadianhistoryehx  

On this date in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police faced off against a band of armed religious fanatics called Doukhobors. The band was camped at Pierson, Manitoba only 25 miles north of North Dakota. Paradoxically, the Doukhobors were pacifists who refused to serve in the military, but they were heavily armed with rifles. When local police said the Doukhobors had to vacate camp, they formed a defensive circle and threatened to shoot anyone who came near them. That’s when the RCMP was called.

Over 2000 Doukhobors arrived in Halifax on this date back in 1899. To learn more we spoke with Professor Julie Rak of the University of Alberta.

It is said that Leo Tolstoy wrote his last great novel just to get enough money to pay for a sect of Russian pacifists, called The Doukhobors, to move to Canada. Persecuted in their homeland for refusing to fight for the Czar, The Doukhobors made the largest single mass migration in Canadian history in 1899 to Saskatchewan. In Canada, The Doukhobors found peace through their puritanical Christian lifestyle and transcendent style of choral music. In this episode, you'll learn about real life events told through two fictional characters, beginning with their persecution in Russia, to their eventual move to Canada in the late 1800s, and hear the haunting music that the group created.

Freedomites part 4, the conclusion to this series. The heat ramps up as arson, bombings, nude protests, marches, and meetings commence in an attempt to find out how the Canadian government is going to deal with the Sons of Freedom and what the DOukhobors are going to do to help get their fellow people under control. Enjoy Michael

Freedomites - Part 2. This episode is about the Doukhobors settlement in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Things start to get difficult and they once again piss off their neighbors, the government breaks their promise and they need to find a new home. Will they finally find a place to live and be accepted? Enjoy Michael

Carnophobes, fear no more. This month is all about the veggies. We're looking at the history of vegetarianism in Canada, especially out Steph's way in B.C. where an influx of Doukhobors meant a spike in vegetarianism in the early 1900s. As a well-seasoned vegetarian, Torey's handling the culinary history this month. Steph dove into the culture of Doukhobor textiles and came out with a wealth of information. Thanks for listening! Find us online: Instagram @fashionablyateshow Facebook and Pinterest @fashionablyate Email us at fashionablyateshow@gmail.com And if you haven't already found us on iTunes, now's your chance! Download and subscribe -- and if you would be so kind, please leave us a star rating or review. We'd love the feedback. Check our facts: Song: Steph was wrong, don’t @ her. There’s only one rock song she could find that mentions the Doukhobors: “Ferdinand the Impostor” by The Band. It’s definitely not what she was remembering – now she has to go back and question all the Queen lyrics she heard in her childhood! FOOD For the pyrahi recipe we used (we made a quarter batch): USCC Doukhobors: Cuisine Douhobors from the Canadian Encyclopedia A 200-year-old bread recipe at the Saskatoon Ex from Global News Beans and greens: The history of vegetarianism This is why vegetarianism didn't catch on until recently from Time Magazine Pythagoras' other theorem from Huffington Post The Toronto Vegetarian Association Development of a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Food Guide from the Dietitians of Canada FASHION The Hilliers Doukhobor Colony 1946-1952 from the Nanaimo Historical Society The Hilliers Doukhobor Colony from Longwood Brewpub Pyrahi from Alisha Enid Uncle Bill's pyrahi dough from Genius Kitchen Doukhobor Cultural Interpretive Society

“Operation Snatch” takes Doukhobor children from their families. In 1899, Russia decided to rid itself of the Doukhobors, a pacifist religious sect that refused to serve in the Russian Army. Many Doukhobors fled to Canada, where they set up a communal life in rural areas. Even there, however, their non-conformist ways and their refusal to abide by any laws except what thy defined as God’s laws, worried the Canadian government and police. Half a century later, B.C.’s new Social Credit government and Premier W.A.C. Bennett initiated “Operation Snatch” to punish Doukhobors for refusing to send their children to public schools. Starting September 9, 1953, RCMP officers went into Doukhobor communities and took hundreds of children away from their families. For almost six years, until 1959, these children were kept in former Japanese internment camps, taught “normal” Christian ways and beaten if they spoke Russian – or if they cried from loneliness. Once the children returned to their families, the government reasoned, they would moderate their parents’ lifestyle. Of course, it didn’t work. A 1999 B.C. Ombudsman’s report urged the government to start the process of reconciliation for the children who were by then in their 50s and 60s. While the government of British Columbia issued a statement of “regret” in the legislature in October 2004, it has not apologized. Some of the adult children who were apprehended years earlier have been looking for legal compensation for their wrong, but thus far have been unsuccessful. Their children have attended public schools for years and they have established heritage-language courses within the public system. Today there are between 30,000 and 40,000 Doukhobors in Canada. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Since March 2008, The Local Grain Revolution series has been following the evolution of Canada's first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project for grain. A total of 180 members and one business from the communities of Nelson and Creston, British Columbia, are blazing a trail towards a local grain economy. Kootenay Harvest Revival I On this Part IV of the series, we explore the first in a two-part series of recordings from the Kootenay Harvest Revival - an event hosted by Deconstructing Dinner, the Nelson-Creston Grain CSA and All Seasons Café. The two-day event was held to celebrate the CSA's monumental harvest of grain and to use the success of the project as a "catalyst for a local food revolution." Day 1 of the event heard from a series of speakers who shared the history of food production in the Kootenay regions of British Columbia. By exploring what was once possible to grow and produce in the area, it was hoped that the event would inspire visions of what the soil is currently able to provide both now and into the future. Certainly the Grain CSA is one of those projects unearthing the potential of the region. On this Part I of the Revival recordings, we pay respect to the original inhabitants of the region - the Sinixt people, who, while not agriculturalists, understood the bounty of the land more than any other human population who has inhabited the area. Also to explore are one of the first groups of white settlers to inhabit the region; the Doukhobors - a spiritual Christian sect who also holds a rich history of living off the land. The event acts as an exciting model for other communities wishing to inspire a more localized food system. GE-Free Zones IV Acting as a pinnacle to our GE-Free Zones series, on November 3, 2008, the City of Nelson, B.C., officially became Canada's third GE-Free zone. In a unanimous decision by the City Council, a resolution was adopted that expresses opposition to the "cultivation of GE plants and trees". Deconstructing Dinner was on hand to record the monumental decision. Voices Eileen Delehanty-Pearkes, Author, The Geography of Memory (Nelson, BC) - A fifth-generation Californian, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes has been a resident of Canada since 1985. She has lived in Nelson, B.C., since 1994. She has published numerous essays and articles exploring the connection between nature and the human imagination, as well as The Geography of Memory, her first book. JJ Verigin, Executive Director, Union of Spritual Communities of Christ (Doukhobors) (Grand Forks, BC) - The Doukhobor movement emerged in 18th century Russia as a Christian peasant reaction to the excessive opulence and ritualistic authority of the Orthodox Church. In the early 20th century, a large number of them arrived in the interior of British Columbia where a large population still reside. Russell Precious, Board of Directors, West Kootenay EcoSociety (Sunshine Bay, BC) - After graduating with a BA in Asian History at UBC and UC Berkeley, Russell studied organic farming with pioneer organic farmer and teacher, John Harrison. Subsequently he co-founded the Naam vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver (still running after 35 years); an organic fruit stand & wholesale fruit operation; Quadra Foods Market on Quadra Island and Capers natural foods stores in Vancouver. In 1993 he was finalist for both the regional Entrepreneur of the Year and Vancity's Ethics in Action awards. In 1999 he was one of three first recipients of the B.C. Organic Pioneers Award. He most recently joined the Board of Directors at the Kootenay Country Store Co-operative. Kim Charlesworth, Steering Committee, GE-Free Kootenays (Nelson, BC) - Kim is a founding member of GE-Free Kootenays. She sits on the Board of Directors for the West Kootenay EcoSociety and is currently running for Nelson City Council in the 2008 municipal elections. Gord McAdams, Municipal Councillor, City of Nelson (Nelson, BC) Gord has worked as an Ecologist for BC's Ministry of Water, Air and Land Protection. In 2005, he was fired for bringing confidential government documents to the BC Supreme Court in support of a court action brought by the West Kootenay EcoSociety. On December 11, the Campaign for Open Government and the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association presented Gord with the Whistleblower Award for 2007. Gord is running for Mayor of Nelson in the 2008 municipal elections. Music Bessie Wapp, Musician/Performer (Nelson, BC) - Since 1995, Bessie Wapp has been busy performing and recording with Eastern European music ensemble Zeellia. Bessie Wapp is a two-time Jessie nominated musician, actor, designer, and stilt dancer who studied visual art and music before becoming a Co-Director of stilt-dance theatre company Mortal Coil in 1993. Bessie Wapp has worked with The Electric Company, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Caravan Theatre, and the Vancouver Moving Theatre among others.