Zooming into our community this weekend was a group of cyclists from Ukraine bringing a message of peace.
A team of young men and women are biking across the United States and Canada to draw attention to the active war that is raging in Ukraine.
Pro-Russian separatists are battling defenders of Ukraine in a war that has seen more than 11,000 casualties. The collateral damage includes destroyed infrastructure, navigating dangerous land mines and 1.7 million displaced civilians including many women and orphaned children. CHUMAKway are a group of war veterans and cycling enthusiasts with a two-fold purpose — to find a peaceful solution to the war and to collect funds for injured warriors and displaced orphans.
They were met by a robust crowd in the Battlefords Saturday night. After a meal, the team was welcomed by local community members at the Slava Centre. Natalya Shevchuk performed a beautiful dance from an east-central Ukrainian region that is directly affected by the war.
The team spoke to the crowd educating them about their tour, the plight of Ukrainians in the war-torn eastern Ukraine and answered questions. This event was a great coming together of friends and neighbours in the Battlefords. As one speaker stated, “Ukraine is the only thing in the way between western democracy and an authoritarian regime.” While another noted, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”
The organizers are grateful for the support from the local church groups, new Canadian-Ukrainians and the Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council. For more information #ChumakWay2018 #BikeForPeace or on-line donations can be forward to https://bit.ly/2KHSwOD.
