By Michele Bourdieu
HOUGHTON -- Since the war against Russian aggression in Ukraine began last February, a local group, Yoopers for Ukraine, has continued to call attention to the need for supporting Ukraine with 13 Walks for Ukraine on the Portage Lift Bridge, discussions and meetings via Zoom, demonstrations at Michigan Tech, an Art Auction and film presentation at the Rozsa Center, an "Un-victory" display of children's empty shoes in Veterans Park to counter Putin's so-called "victory" celebration of Russia's defeat of Germany in World War II, a protest against the use of rape in war in conjunction with a worldwide protest on May 28, and a silent protest to create awareness of 100 days of this war on June 3.
Walks across Portage Lift Bridge continue
The most recent Walk for Ukraine from Houghton to Hancock and back -- the 13th Walk sponsored by Yoopers for Ukraine -- was especially intended to create awareness of the children killed and impacted by the war. Three families with children -- including one Ukrainian family who recently arrived in the U.P. -- participated in this walk on June 1, 2022.
The 13th Walk for Ukraine across the Portage Lift Bridge begins in Houghton on June 1, honoring the hundreds of children killed in the recent war of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Three families with children participate. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)Special guests at this walk were Vitalii and Olga Klimenko of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, (on the Black Sea) and their two daughters -- Daria, 6, and Vitalina, 2 and 1/2.
Stephanie Duncan of Calumet is sponsoring the Klimenko family, who just recently arrived here.
"They left the first day of the war because their town has been under constant shelling," Duncan said.
Their city of 400,000 is in a beautiful region that is getting destroyed, Duncan added. The family is here through a U.S. federal program, Uniting for Ukraine, which provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period. To participate in this program the Ukrainian family must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States.*
Duncan told Keweenaw Now that she was able to connect with the Klimenko family through the Facebook page North America for Ukraine (U.S. and Canada).**William Gorjup-Munn of Hancock and his two daughters -- Takotah, 11, and Melody, 6, were also first-time participants in the Walk for Ukraine on June 1.
The third family with children, who participated in the 13th Walk for Ukraine, are regular participants who have joined Yoopers for Ukraine in many of these walks -- John Loosemore and his daughter, Kaitlyn, 9, and sons Jethro, 7, and Jacob, 4. Their Mom would be there also but has to work at the time of the walks, John explained.
As the walkers lined up displaying their signs and flags on the sidewalk near the bridge, following their Walk on June 1, Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine and organizer of many of their activities, spoke to the group, thanking them for participating:
Nadija Packauskas of Yoopers for Ukraine thanks the participants in the 13th Walk for Ukraine in honor of children victimized by the war.The 12th Walk for Ukraine was held on May 19, Vyshyvanka Day -- an international holiday that aims to preserve the original folk traditions of creating and wearing ethnic embroidered Ukrainian clothes.
Participants in the 12th Walk for Ukraine begin their walk across the Portage Lift Bridge, playing some Ukrainian music for this special traditional day.
The 11th Walk for Ukraine was held on May 11, a chilly and windy day on the bridge.
Just before the 11th Walk began, Connie Karpinen of Houghton, who has participated in more than one Walk for Ukraine, stated briefly her reason for participating.
Near the middle of the bridge the wind is suddenly a lot colder and stronger, blowing the flags to add to the display.
Following the Walk, Keweenaw Now asked Kaitlyn Loosemore what she learned from an event that was held just two days before the Walk -- the demonstration in Veterans Park with many empty children's shoes that she and her little brothers attended.
"The purpose of the shoes was to show people how many children were killed by the Russians and to show that we have to protect children," Kaitlyn said.
May 9: "Russia Shame Day"/ "Un-victory" in Veterans Park
Yoopers for Ukraine held a non-victory shame day to contradict Russia's annual Victory Day celebration on May 9 with a display of empty children's shoes and toys in Veterans Park in Houghton.
Michigan Tech student Ženia Vorodis spoke with Keweenaw Now about his reasons for opposing the Russian aggression in Ukraine even though he is Russian.
"I guess I stopped watching Russian TV in 2014 when the Crimea annexation happened," Vorodis said. "It's difficult to say what is true and what is not."
Vorodis noted he doesn't watch Russian media.
"I still follow on Instagram some Russian activists that oppose the war," he added.
Yoopers for Ukraine also held a similar display of children's shoes the following day, May 10, in front of the Walker building on the Michigan Tech campus.
May 26: Evening of Art and Cinema at Rozsa Center
On May 26, Yoopers for Ukraine hosted a silent art auction and film screening in the Rozsa Center at Michigan Tech as a fundraiser for Ukraine. Visitors bid on art works donated by local community members. Two films about Ukraine were also shown -- the short film Odessa Days and a documentary, Baba Babee Skazala. Refreshments were also provided.
May 28: Protest against rape as a war crime
In solidarity with protests around the world Yoopers for Ukraine held a protest against rape in war on May 28 at the Breakers on Lake Superior.
June 3: 100 Days of War in Ukraine
On June 3 the Houghton waterfront was the scene of a gathering to call attention, sadly, to the fact that the War in Ukraine had reached 100 days.
Upcoming events this week
The 14th Walk for Ukraine will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, on the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge.
The Yoopers for Ukraine weekly Zoom Call will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. Members are invited to express ideas and help with planning. All are welcome.
Zoom link: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/88500557488
A Concert for Ukraine will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton. Watch our right column for details, coming soon.
Notes:
* To learn about this federal program visit https://www.uscis.gov/
** Click here for the Facebook page North America for Ukraine (U.S. and Canada).
*** Click here to read about this chaplain who has risked his life by driving thousands of kilometers delivering aid to Ukraine's armed resistance.
Visit the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page for more photos and videos of their actions.
