Yoopers for Ukraine welcome Ukrainian families, continue Walks for Ukraine on Sundays

By Michele Bourdieu

Yoopers for Ukraine welcome a new Ukrainian family to the Copper Country during the Jan. 8 Walk for Ukraine. Pictured here are Anna Polovets Hill (far left) of Chassell, who is hosting her nephew, Roman (center), his daughter Maria (second from left) and his partner, Larisa (third from left). Nadija Packauskas, Yoopers for Ukraine co-founder, and her Dad, Vytautas, are at right. (Photo courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

HOUGHTON -- Undaunted by Copper Country snow and ice, Yoopers for Ukraine are continuing their weekly Walks for Ukraine across the Portage Lift Bridge on Sunday afternoons since Jan. 1, 2023. The Walks now begin on the Houghton side of the bridge at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Yoopers for Ukraine also welcome Ukrainian families to join their walks.

The Jan. 15 Walk for Ukraine begins on the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Participants in the Jan. 15, Walk for Ukraine pause on the Hancock side of the Lift Bridge, displaying their flags and signs to oncoming traffic. (Photo courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

One Ukrainian family, who have been here for six months, joined the Jan. 15 Walk: Angi Denesynko, her husband, Vitalii, and their two daughters, Riana and Alisa. They have participated in several events sponsored by Yoopers for Ukraine.

The Denesynko family, from right -- Angi, her husband, Vitalii, and their daughters, Alisa and Riana -- display their signs and flags during the Jan. 15 Walk for Ukraine on the Portage Lift Bridge. (Photo © and courtesy Nadija Packauskas)

Angi Denesynko spoke with Keweenaw Now about her concerns for her country and for her mother, who is still in Ukraine.

During the Jan. 15, 2023, Walk for Ukraine from Houghton to Hancock, Angi Denesynko of Ukraine speaks about the war in her country one day after the tragic bombing of an apartment house in Dnipro, Ukraine, and her concern for her own family. (Video interview by Keweenaw Now)

Yoopers for Ukraine to walk in Heikinpäivä Parade

Following the Jan. 15 Walk, Nadija Packauskas announced that Finlandia has invited Yoopers for Ukraine to participate in the Heikinpäivä Parade on Saturday, Jan. 28. Supporters of Ukraine who wish to walk with them are invited to meet at 11 a.m. near La Cantina Restaurant, 101 E. Quincy Street, Hancock, where the parade begins.

"We will have flags and signs!" Nadija said. "The public is welcome to help us in thanking Finlandia for their continued support! Finnish flags are welcome too!"

January 8 Walk in sunshine

On Jan. 8, 2023, sunshine warmed the walkers somewhat and Yoopers for Ukraine welcomed a new Ukrainian family, who recently arrived in Chassell, invited by Anna Polovets Hill (see photo above).

Roman (center), nephew of Anna Polovets Hill of Chassell, is pictured here during the Jan. 8 Walk for Ukraine with his daughter Maria (left) and his partner, Larisa. (Photo © and courtesy Anna Polovets Hill)

"We are happy to welcome the nephew of one of our members, Anna of Chassell," Nadija told Keweenaw Now. "Roman, his daughter Maria and his beloved girlfriend, Larisa, arrived in the Copper Country in December and are quite pleased with the kindness and beauty of the area. They hope to learn to ski soon! If anyone in the area wants to assist this family or any of our recently arrived familes feel free to email yoopersforukraine@gmail.com. One family is looking for an apartment or home to rent."

January 6 visit with Ukrainian families in Marquette

Nadija, her son, Robert, and her Dad, Vytautas, visited two Ukrainian families in Marquette for a Ukrainian Christmas celebration on January 6, 2023.

"We had traditional Ukrainian treats and exchanged gifts for the kids," Nadija said.

Yoopers for Ukraine co-founder Nadija Packauskas and her Dad, Vytautas, (center with flag) are pictured here with members of the Bilan and Liiamati Ukrainian families celebrating Ukrainian Christmas on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo © and courtesy Karen Liiamati)

Arkadii Bilan, 6, enjoys the snow in Marquette. He is proud to be Ukrainian. (Photo © and courtesy Yevhinia Bilan)

Showing Nadija and her Dad a map of Ukraine that he brought with him from Ukraine, Arkadii tells them what is happening for the defense of Ukraine. (Photo © and courtesy Nadija Packauskas)

January 1 Walk for Ukraine

Yoopers for Ukraine began the New Year with a Sunday walk on Jan. 1.

The wet, cold Jan. 1 weather did not discourage Yoopers for Ukraine from holding their Walk across the Portage Lift Bridge. (Photo courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

Two visitors from Wausau, Wis. -- Margie, left, and Nancy -- joined the Jan. 1 Walk for Ukraine. (Photo courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

Joey, a well known local resident, joins Nadija for the Jan. 1 Walk for Ukraine. (Photo courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

How you can help

As a spokesperson for Yoopers for Ukraine, Nadija Packauskas says there are several ways local residents can help Ukrainian refugees.

"Every Ukrainian, whether in Ukraine or displaced around the world, only wants the same thing -- this war to end," Nadija told Keweenaw Now. "And the best way to help a refugee is to do all you can to help end it. Write, call, and talk to our legislators, your family and friends -- and support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. This remains a stain on humanity and remains the most critical moment in our modern history. Wanna help refugees? Help Ukraine! Give them a home to go home to!"*

* Editor's Note: To donate for aid to Ukraine, see the following:

https://www.ukrainetrustchain.org/donate-yoopers

https://sharedetroit.org/nonprofit/share-ukraine
See their action for contacting Michigan elected officials:
https://sharedetroit.org/events/help-ukraine-contacting-our-elected-officials

https://ucareinc.org/  (Aid for Ukrainian children)

March Celebrating Reproductive Freedom to be Sunday, Jan. 22, in Houghton

After a windy march across the Portage Lift Bridge and back, participants in the October 8, 2022, Women's March display their signs for women's rights and Proposal 3 on the Michigan ballot, which passed in the November mid-term election, restoring the rights of Michiganders to make their own private decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Next Sunday, Jan. 22, another March for Reproductive Freedom will be held in Houghton and across the U.S. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- Local residents are invited to join women and their friends in towns and cities around the country for a March Celebrating Reproductive Freedom on Sunday, January 22. In Houghton, participants will gather at 1 p.m. at Bridgeview Park and continue across the Lift Bridge to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Supporters of Women's Reproductive Freedom wish to send a loud and clear message across the U.S. and in the local community that though the women’s wave delivered a blow to anti-freedom politicians in the 2022 midterms (protecting abortion access in Michigan, Kentucky, and Kansas), the work is not done.

Women are still being told how to dress (Missouri Legislature), how not to talk to children ("Don’t say Gay"--Florida), or what should not be read (TX, FL, MI, …). We are ALL born free and equal in dignity and rights, irrespective of the state in which we live.

The Women's March organizers and participants will harness the power of collective voices to let the Supreme Court and US Congress know that they have failed in their obligation to protect, respect, and uphold our human rights. The message of the march puts politicians at every level of government on notice: "If you come for our families, our freedoms, or our futures, we are coming for your seat. Our movement is strong. Our movement is growing. Our movement is Bigger than Roe," say organizers.

Join marchers all across the US with your presence and signs to celebrate women's progress and fight to expand these rights. (Please no obscene signs.)

For more information, contact Susan Burack at 906-482-3270 or ssburack@gmail.com, or Vicky Bergvall at v.bergvall.mt@gmail.com.