Euromaidan in Winnipeg

Local Ukrainian community working hard to support change in Ukraine

Winnipeg has the third-largest Ukrainian population in the country, making up nearly 16 percent of Winnipeg’s total population. Members of the Ukrainian diaspora who live here support efforts to bring peace to the people and accountability to the government of Ukraine.

At the end of November last year, violence erupted following protests against the decision of Ukraine’s government, led by President Viktor Yanukovych, to forge closer ties with Russia instead of the European Union. The protests, known as Euromaidan after the Kiev square in which public demonstrations are held, grew in response to the issue of widespread government corruption in the country.

“The unique thing about this revolution is that it united not just people in Ukraine, the east and western part, but also all the people, the Ukrainians all around the world,” explains Andrii Shcherbukha, a member of Winnipeg’s Ukrainian Canadian Institute Prosvita (UCIP).

On March 1, UCIP held an event called the Maidan Fundraiser to support humanitarian relief efforts. Shcherbukha also recently started the website ukrainianwinnipeg.ca, along with fellow UCIP member Valerii Paskoto, to provide assistance to immigrants coming from Ukraine to Winnipeg.

Scott Gordon, board member of Winnipeg’s Zoloto Ukrainian Dance Ensemble & Company, says people involved in protests in Ukraine are quick to unite with other people working for democracy around the world.

“I know myself, and others who have been interviewed, keep getting this question: ‘What do these events mean to Ukrainian Canadians?’ and ‘What do Ukrainian Canadians think of this?’ Well, what would anyone think of it?” he asks. “Someone’s on a public street protesting their government in a legal, non-violent way, and the next thing you know they’re shot in the head. It’s something that goes against very basic civil rights. That should upset every Canadian.”

Members of both UCIP and Zoloto are in favour of Canada sending election observers to Ukraine, as has been done in the past.

Both Gordon and Keris Matskiw, head dance instructor for Zoloto since the group started in 1991, agree that in addition to political, economic, and humanitarian aid, cultural support is also necessary. They highlight the need to promote Ukrainian folksongs, dance, food and especially the language.

Svitlana Maluzynsky, 28, was born into the community in Winnipeg and serves as a role model for local Ukrainians. Her first language is Ukrainian, and for her first university degree in 2009 she majored in Ukrainian and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Winnipeg.

She has participated in the exchange programs between Canada and Ukraine advocated by UCIP and Zoloto.

“Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community is dynamic, activist, active, likes to share culture and education and information about current and historical events, proud,” says Maluzynsky. “I also think it’s inclusive.”

Interviewees each suggested there is no dissent among Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community about which side to support in light of the clash between civilians and government.

Donations to support aid for people in Ukraine are being accepted at Carpathia Credit Union and North Winnipeg Credit Union. Meanwhile, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger recently announced the province will provide $25,000 in humanitarian aid for people affected by violence in Ukraine.

Published in Volume 68, Number 22 of The Uniter (March 5, 2014)

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