Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine

Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine

 Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

A crowd of around 125 people participated in the March for Ukraine which also included a community prayer service and short program at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vegreville on Feb. 23.

Natalia Toroshenko, Chair of the Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine, led the procession from Rendezvous Park to Holy Trinity. Following the prayer service, attendees were invited to the church basement before the program got underway.

Toroshenko thanked all of the participants before talking about an organization called, Ukrainian Patriots.

This year, we’re collecting donations for Ukrainian Patriots, made up of Ukrainians and Internationals, and supporting Ukraine on the front line, and also, the citizens of Ukraine who are caught in the crossfire. So, that is their unique mandate and focus. We’re very fortunate today because one of our own Vegrevillians, Kaitlyn Kruk, who volunteers with Ukrainian Patriots and is currently in Kyviv, has agreed to meet with us.

A pre-recorded video was played so attendees could become familiar with Kaitlyn’s volunteer efforts through Ukrainian Patriots. In the video she stated, “Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Kruk, I was born and raised in Vegreville. I am a proud member of the Vegreville Cultural Association, and every July I look forward to returning home to celebrate and promote our Ukrainian community in Canada at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival.

For the last two-and-half years I’ve travelled back and forth to Ukraine, working as a volunteer on the ground with an organization called Ukrainian Patriot. We support both civilians and defenders with non-lethal aid.

This past week, my team and I City of Uzu. Following a 300-food bag drop for civilians we went to second location, and upon arrival a Russian missile struck just 200 metres from where I stood. This is a scary experience, and one I would not wish on anybody, though this is the true reality of living in a country at war. This is an experience Ukrainians face on a daily basis. The destruction and loss that Ukraine has suffered over the last nearly three years is immeasurable, and Ukraine continues to need our support.”

The connection, via Zoom was made and Kaitlyn, who said it was 1 am and her neighbourhood in Kyiv was under drone attack with constant shelling and sirens going off. “Though Kyiv is much safer, as many people say, I am currently checking chats, hearing the sirens, checking in on my team, making sure we’re getting some rest, but also staying safe.

Today marks a very long three years. A very long 12 years, in fact of aggression from the Russian Federation in Ukraine. At this moment as a young person who loves this country, who loves Vegreville, I feel a responsibility to this land, the land that I sit on right now, where many of you in the room come from, many of your ancestors come from, and a place we hold so dearly in our hearts. We need help here, whether it’s five dollars or sharing the true information that’s coming out of this country, not what Pawn Trump is saying, or other people in this world. I know it feels a little upside down right now, but we must stand strong. The tension here is uneasy. Just before this I spoke with my Tato, who’s also somewhere in that room. This is the first time I feel that people are almost giving up. Almost. Almost. We’re not giving up. It’s not an option. People are fighting back against the politics and for a free Ukraine on Ukrainian terms. Not what other governments want, but what Ukraine wants and needs. This is not about the fancy minerals that live on this land. This is about the people, the culture, the language on this land; and how important that they continue to be independent and free. That they have restful evenings, not in bomb shelters, not worried on our phones, making sure our friends and family are constantly okay. It’s exhausting to say the least, and I am so grateful to all of the support in our Ukrainian communities in Canada, for all of you coming together to stand with us even across an ocean and time difference I feel the love and the support, and it’s such incredibly necessary.”

Natalia thanked her and said, “It seems to me you that are like a mentor to all of us, especially to our young people most of the people here are Ukrainian newcomers and displaced families and for them to see one of our Canadian girls from Vegreville to be doing what you’re doing and to share your story with us gives us great hope.”

Kaitlyn responded by saying, “I cherish all of you and deeply thank you for the support and the love…I will carry it with me when I go to the frontline in a few days and let defenders know they are not alone, and that people have not forgotten them and we are not giving up.”