- by david sereda
Like so many Canadians, apprehension turned to disbelief and shock, and then to deep sorrow as Putin went to war with Ukraine.
Like so many Canadians, I have roots in Ukraine – Canada has the third largest population of Ukrainians after Ukraine itself and Russia.
My roots were not recently transplanted here, but they are extensive. My great-grandparents on my mother’s mother’s side emigrated to what is now Alberta from Bukovyna in 1902. My mother’s father, who I remember, emigrated around 1912 from near Chernivtsi. My grandparents on my father’s side emigrated from Galicia in 1898. I love the land that gave them a new life, opportunity and – though they were seen as lower status than “Western Europeans” (that is, not from England) – they had freedom. I was born and grew up on that Indigenous land in Treaty 6 territory. Land occupied, travelled, and cared for by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. That place – ᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, amiskwacîwâskahikan, now called Edmonton – is a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the Nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishiinaabe (Saulteaux), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. I grew on that beautiful land from transplanted rootstock and my parents impressed on me how fortunate we were. I remember my Baba (grandmother) writing to her cousins in Ukraine, sending gifts. So I have relatives I have never met, my “somehow cousins” there still.
My name, Sereda (Середа) means Wednesday, the middle day. To be in the middle – poserednyi (посередині) – is where the people of Ukraine find themselves, in the middle of war they did not provoke or deserve. Who deserves violence? And we, by extension, because everything is connected, are now “in the middle” with them.
I can not imagine how this war is affecting, hurting Ukrainians in Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian people who settled here more recently than my people. Prayers and kind wishes of solidarity and empathy are welcome.
But beyond prayer, what can anyone do?
Educate yourself. Don’t spread dis- or misinformation. Use credible sources.
An excellent resource for information is UCC National - Ukrainian Canadian Congress. When I tried to access the home page earlier it was down – I hope from people seeking to donate and get information – it’s up again.
They have links on ways to donate. The Ukrainian Humanitarian appeal will help the Red Cross there. Every dollar will be matched by the Canadian government .
They have links to public vigils and marches. These are inspiring and happening all over Canada and all over the world. I’m heartened at the immense courage of Russians protesting the war inside Russia.
In my research, echoed by the UCC, the people of Ukraine have asked for a no-fly zone, and they’ve asked to remove Russia from SWIFT (a cross-border financial messaging system) which would mean financial isolation for Russia.
You can write our MP, Alex Ruff – he happens to be on the Parliamentary NATO committee. You can demand these actions.
Prayers are important – and so is the no-fly zone. I’m sure Angels will still be able to travel where they need.
Lastly, it is a hugely troubling time. A dispiriting time. Whoever you are, whatever your background, feel whatever you need to feel but don’t despair. Take a break from the news. Be kind to yourself. Our wonderful CMHA Grey Bruce (https://greybruce.cmha.ca/) has resources and a crisis line if you are overwhelmed. Don’t despair. Our “somehow cousins” in Ukraine need support, do what you can so they can do what they must.
Courage to Ukraine.
