John J. Verigin, the leader of the Doukhobor people, 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 was 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 worked tirelessly to counteract fanatical activity and media sensationalism and laboured to integrate the Doukhobor community within the wider Canadian Cultural Mosaic. For this he received the Order of Canada in 1977.

He 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 coordinated a six week respite visit to the Kootenay area for children suffering the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and 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 was steadfast in his efforts to promote world peace and disarmament, human rights and social justice.