聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽聽(EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: Koozma Tarasoff of Ottawa, a noted Doukhobor writer and historian, submitted the following letter for publication for Heritage Day held at the National Doukhobor Heritage Village in Veregin on July 15 and 16 when the centennial of the village鈥檚 Prayer Home was celebrated.)
As you celebrate the 100 years of the Doukhobor Community Home in Veregin as well as observe the 150 years of Canada鈥檚 birthday, let鈥檚 affirm some basic principles of Doukhobor life in Canada.
The measure of humanity needs to incorporate peace, nonviolence, and non-killing. This means getting rid of the institution of war by building on the legacy of Tolstoy, Einstein, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Our ancestors destroyed their guns in 1895 as a public declaration to end violence and war once and for all.
Because our children are the future, we need to nurture them with good examples of behaviour including love, respect, co-operation and joy of living.
As members of one human family on Planet Earth, we need to co-operate with other nations to survive together.
Cultivating beauty is one of the desired characteristics of mature citizens. Enjoy the historic Home in Veregin, the traditional singing, and our historic peace message as a reminder of our noble heritage.
Observe Canada鈥檚 birthday, warts and all, and do your part to make it better. Let鈥檚 stay out of other people鈥檚 wars, and use the money to develop a first class free health care program as well as free education for all. We are our brothers鈥� and sisters鈥� keepers.
Congratulations dear brothers and sisters in coming together and helping to create a safer and healthier world.
