It is with a heavy heart that I write this after learning of the tragic and senseless killing of Ivan Rubanik. My thoughts are with Ivan’s grieving wife and children, who are now coping with devastating loss. Yesterday I read the article on CBC Manitoba: “Man killed in Elmwood stabbing had recently come from Ukraine, hoped for ‘new start in Canada’: co-worker”. You can read it too via Google Search. I also reviewed many recent homicide victim stories in the capital of “friendly Manitoba” which creates fear and brings a lot of grief and loss for people who call Winnipeg their home.
Here is a summary of CBC article: Ivan Rubanik, a 46-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, was stabbed to death in Winnipeg’s Elmwood neighbourhood on the morning of December 21st. Rubanik had recently moved to Canada from Ukraine with his wife and kids, hoping for a “new start.” It was going to be their first Christmas in Canada. A 19-year-old man has been arrested, but police have not released details of potential charges. Co-workers and the company Rubanik worked for have set up a GoFundMe to support his family, who are now facing tragedy instead of a joyful first holiday season in Canada.
I just attended the Blue Christmas service. I thank Pastor Jane and Hills of Peace congregation for allowing me to mourn for many people who went to the spiritual world in 2023 and process grief and loss during the “Winter Holidays” Season. In the evening, I did a prayer for Ivan Rubanik family and the Winnipeg community that had experienced a lot of acts of public violence that created multiple concerns for everyone in the community.
I came to Winnipeg in 2002 for a three-month internship and re-connected with amazing people I knew from Lviv who allowed me to return in 2004 to start my MSW degree. I remember the first day when I initially came to Winnipeg, and we walked in the neighbourhood with a six-year-old girl who is now a mother of a newborn who calls Winnipeg home. She was proudly showing me her neighbourhood. It was a beautiful summer day in 2002. I know many people in Winnipeg who have lived their whole lives and recently were sharing with me how unsafe the city has become to all who visit downtown, park their cars or take public transit. During a few last visits, I had multiple moments of feeling unsafe in the city, too. It allowed me to see firsthand how dangerous the place has become in recent years, and reading such news makes me wonder what can be done to address the safety concerns.
The brutal, random killing of a human being who overcame much to find safety for his family in Winnipeg Canada is heartbreaking. Random violent attacks like this shake entire communities. I am hopeful that the people of Winnipeg will find a way to support all community members. I hope the immigrant community, resettlement agencies, faith groups and other community organizations, government and businesses come together to support Rubanik’s grieving family during this difficult time. It could include fundraising, providing grief counselling legal support and helping them navigate systems while processing grief and loss. The circumstances that led a 19-year-old Winnipegger to attack another human being violently require further examination. Actions need to be taken to foster welcoming communities and counter-violence. There are no easy fixes for complex social rifts underlying violence. But little by little, choosing openness over fear and extending hands across dividing lines is how communities heal. With time and perseverance, I believe Winnipeg’s people can revive Manitoba’s friendly spirit for all who walk Winnipeg’s streets and call this city home.
With my students, I often brainstorm ideas on what is needed to address concerns. I hope we will see communities in Winnipeg have vigils/gatherings to mourn Mr. Rubanik and the victims of homicide and provide support to their families and Winnipeg’s grieving communities. Faith leaders and community groups, government and business can facilitate the delivery of needed support services. It helps to come together in difficult times. Ensure a thorough investigation and accountability for the perpetrator. There is no need to have more victims until people in power respond to community concerns. Justice and closure for the Rubanik family, as for all victims of violence, is important. Examining root causes could also prevent future random violence.
There are no easy solutions, but bringing Winnipeg residents together across cultures to reject violence while supporting victims and vulnerable groups can help make the community more resilient, just and peaceful. It takes time, but engagement from all sectors of society is important.
Violence thrives where connection and understanding falter. Everyone in Canada will gain when Winnipeg becomes more welcoming to newcomers and marginalized groups – their resilience and culture enhance all of ours. We can better foster inclusivity by listening to those feeling most insecure or isolated.
If you live outside of Winnipeg, working within your home communities is essential to ensure that we will not keep learning from the news about similar stories in communities in Canada and worldwide. Prevention is critical so people can find ways to raise families, go to work, and enjoy the walk in their neighbourhoods without fear of randomly becoming the next homicide victim or keep looking for refuge and safety outside of their home community.
I offer these reflections and ideas in a spirit of constructive community problem-solving, not judgment or presumption. I will keep refining my thoughts and sharing them to seek ways we can prevent future violence in Lviv, Winnipeg, and Halifax (communities I had an honour to live) and my current place of residence Kamloops as well as other places in the world where human beings are looking for safety, peace, love and care. We can all learn from sharing ways on what can be done to support each other. Here is the link to the Gofundme campaign to offer the family financial support: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ivan-rubanik
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