“Slava Ukraine!” echoed across Memorial Square for Ukrainian Independence Day on Saturday as Prince Albert residents celebrated the occasion for the third straight year.
Memorial Square was filled with Ukrainian folk music and traditional dance. The event was organized by newcomers along with longtime supporters of the Ukrainian community.
One of the emcees for the event Olena Shpylchak has been in Canada for a year and a half and in Prince Albert for one year. She explained that with the ongoing war in Ukraine it is especially important to celebrate the day.
“Everybody understands that we have war in Ukraine and right now, (and) Ukrainian Independence Day is really important to show people that we are a nation,” Shpylchak said. “We love our country.”
Shpylchak and Iryna Dehtiar acted as emcees and alternated between Ukrainian and English during the ceremony. Shpylchak said Ukraine has only been independent for 33 years, so it’s important to keep make the day stand-out.
“I am (from the) younger generation,” she said. “I was born already when independence (came to) Ukraine. For me, it’s support for Ukraine, even if we are in Canada. We remember that we are Ukrainians and as Ukrainians, we have (an) old and huge history we would like to remember.”
Shplychak said Ukrainian Independence Day in Canada is Important like Ukrainian Independence Day in Ukraine. She said the Ukrainian traditions in Canada are strong because so many Canadians have Ukrainian roots.
“It is nice that people, they remember,” she said. “I met a lot of Canadians who know a lot about Ukraine. I was surprised. It was really, really cool.”
The event included several performances by members of Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dancers and musical performances. It also included a moment of silence for all victims of war.
Brooklyn Winder and Jacob Winder of Barveenok danced as part of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations in Memorial Square in Prince Albert on Saturday.
Linus Skomoroski and Jude Skomoroski of Barveenok danced as part of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations in Memorial Square in Prince Albert on Saturday.
“It is nice that people, they remember,” she said. “I met a lot of Canadians who know a lot about Ukraine. I was surprised. It was really, really cool.”
The event included several performances by members of Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dancers and musical performances. It also included a moment of silence for all victims of war.
Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick brought greetings from the City of Prince Albert and Kayleigh Skomoroski read a letter from MP Randy Hoback.
Ogrodnick, who is very vocal about his Ukrainian heritage and part of the local group helping to welcome the newcomers, spoke about why it was important to celebrate Ukrainian independence.
“Ukraine will win the current conflict, and then the dancing and celebrating at Memorial Square will continue for days and nights,” he said
Folk songs and the national anthem of Ukraine and Canada were performed by members of the Veselka Choir. There was a special greeting with bread and salt as is tradition.
Sonya Jahn has been the driving force in helping Ukrainian newcomers settle in Prince Albert after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Her original plan was to help Ukrainians who had moved to Saskatchewan in the last 10 to 15 years provide a safe landing place for any of their families seeking a way out.
She explained that there are currently 130 families in Prince Albert through the CUAET Program, which wound down on March 31.
“However, the Canadian government has extended the program to be able to have any of the families who may not have received their permanent residency yet to be able to extend their work permits for another three years so that they can achieve that,” Jahn said.
She said that most families are already in the queue and many have already applied for extended work permits.
“Some already have their permanent residency and some are just in the process of acquiring that, so they all want to stay here in Canada and they want to make Canada as their home,” Jahn said.
She added that the Ukrainian newcomers have become contributing citizens in Prince Albert.
“They’re all working. They have their children enrolled in school. They are actively working in various jobs to be able to support their families,” Jahn said.
Shplychak said that communication and community are important for organizing an event like Ukrainian Independence Day.
“We try to get people together and I hope it will help them hear themselves better,” she explained.
The language can be complicated for newcomers, Shpylchak said, and learning the language is easier for children, so hearing it in Canada is important.
“It’s also a good idea and keep and continue our traditions you hear right now (so) everybody understands what it means in Ukraine,” she explained.
“I think that we understand that we are in Canada, we try to be part of Canadian people to be part Canadian rules (and) everything, but to remember our roots is also important.”
She observed that having events like these also teaches children the importance of Ukrainian culture.
“For me every culture is interesting and to find something new it’s really good,” she said.
Jahn also appreciated the connection between newcomers and the current Ukrainian population. She explained that her own history comes from her parents emigrating in the 1900s.
“The commonalities certainly are the richness of culture, our heritage, the music, the dance, the celebrations during the year. Those commonalities are there and they’re solid in our Ukrainian heritage.
She said that celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day is heartwarming for her because of her own history.
“Having it easy for newcomers to come here now and the new generations just continue the strength of our culture and the importance of the independence of Ukraine,” Jahn said.
The event concluded with a round of folk songs at the bottom of the steps of City Hall.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
