By O. Kondrashov and J. Crego
Image Credit: O. Kondrashov
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 has sparked outrage and calls for support across the globe. Though the conflict may seem distant for the residents of Williams Lake, BC, many in this small inland community have felt compelled to stand up and show their solidarity with the Ukrainian people. This article explores the various ways, big and small, that Williams Lake has supported Ukraine over the past two years of war.
Grassroots Support from Individuals
Soon after the invasion began, Williams Lake resident Sandra Kelly Klassen felt moved to take action after speaking with her sister Colleen, who lives near Prague, Czech Republic and was helping set up a refugee shelter (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). Sandra started a GoFundMe campaign called “Jar of Honey for Ukraine” that raised nearly $7,000 in donations to help install showers and fund other urgent needs at her sister’s shelter. The name reflected the family’s interior BC roots, where honey is a staple product. Sandra explained that people appreciated the ability to help refugees so directly: “They’ve got now got 20-some refugees and the shelters are quickly filling up” (Moore, 2022).
Another Williams Lake couple, Lori and Richard Whittingham, directly sponsored a Ukrainian family to immigrate to Williams Lake (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). The couple provided employment, housing, school enrollment, and even a puppy to comfort the family. Such individual acts of support continue, as residents open their homes and lives to new immigrants fleeing the conflict.
Local Fundraising Efforts
Several local organizations and businesses have also led fundraising and donation efforts over the past year. The Station House Gallery, Williams Lake’s public art gallery, held an “Art for Ukraine” show in May 2022 featuring over 50 donated artworks that were auctioned off to support humanitarian relief (Lloyd, 2022a). The show included Ukrainian music, food, costumes, and jewelry. Owner Diane Toop explained, “the Russian invasion of Ukraine felt to me like an attack on democracy” (Lloyd, 2022a). The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Williams Lake has also made donations, reflecting the Sikh value of providing humanitarian help to those in need (Williams Lake Tribune, 2023b).
Local residents have gotten creative with additional fundraisers. In June 2022, Shalene Ostrom organized a 1980s/90s-themed event called “Be a Kid, For the Kids” to raise money for Ukrainian orphanages in need (Lloyd, 2022b). The sold-out event at The Den by Moonshine Coffee Roasters tapped into nostalgia while fundraising. Even children have helped; students at Nesika Elementary held a loose change drive in April 2022 and raised over $1500 for Ukrainian relief through UNICEF Canada (Gambler, 2022).
Book Sales Fundraiser
One unique fundraising effort came from the translation work of Williams Lake resident Gloria Atamanenko, who passed away in 2019. Gloria had translated the Russian journals of Ukrainian scientist Mikhail Ivanychuk into the book Fourteen Months in Franz Joseph Land (Atamanenko, 2008). Her husband George teamed up with local author Sage Birchwater in early 2023 to sell Gloria’s remaining book copies, with all proceeds going to support Ukrainian first responders (Lloyd, 2023). As of February 2023, the fundraiser had sold 100 books and raised $2900 for the nonprofit Firefighter Aid Ukraine. The book shares Ivanychuk’s tragic story of Soviet persecution as well as Gloria’s reflections on Ukraine’s historic struggles for independence. This local translation work suddenly gained new relevance in light of current events.
City Government Support
Williams Lake’s city government has also searched for meaningful ways to show support for Ukraine over the past year. Local resident George Atamanenko, who is of Ukrainian heritage, brought the idea to Williams Lake City Council in April 2022 (Lloyd, 2023). He suggested sister city status with a Ukrainian municipality to promote cultural exchange. However, council decided the logistics were impractical at this time given the war and instability (Barrowcliff, 2023). Instead, council directed staff to investigate other symbolic gestures and donations that would meaningfully show Williams Lake’s solidarity. The discussions are ongoing.
Settlement Support for New Immigrants
Behind the scenes, Williams Lake organizations have helped settle several Ukrainian refugee families that immigrated over the past year with federal government assistance. The Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL), which provides English language and settlement services, has assisted the new families with basics like housing, banking, job search help and enrolling children in school (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). CCPL staff held a welcoming event for refugees at a local farm, providing camaraderie through traditional Ukrainian food, music, costumes and sledding (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). Such community building is vital to help new immigrants deal with trauma and establish a fresh start.
As CCPL senior settlement navigator Katya Potekhina explained, refugees in Williams Lake consist of both professionals, like doctors and engineers, as well as families escaping violence (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). The war touches everyone. Potekhina’s knowledge of Ukrainian language and culture has proven invaluable to assist new immigrants with the difficult transition.
Why Williams Lake Stands With Ukraine
What drives this small, remote community in British Columbia’s interior to care so deeply about a conflict overseas between nations they barely know?
For some, like Sandra Kelly Klassen, the war felt personal because her sister was directly helping Ukrainian refugees in Prague (Lamb-Yorski, 2022). Others in Williams Lake empathize strongly with the Ukrainian people and view Russia’s unprovoked invasion as an affront to democracy and sovereignty that cannot go unchallenged. Citizens wish to counter the extreme human suffering in whatever small way they can (Lloyd, 2022a).
Williams Lake also has its own modest Ukrainian community, including residents like George Atamanenko whose relatives still live in the war zone (Lloyd, 2023). Helping new Ukrainian refugees settle in town strengthens those cultural bonds.
The world faces many troubles, yet the residents of this inland town continue striving to support the Ukrainian people in meaningful ways during an exceptionally brutal crisis. Their generosity and solidarity shine as a beacon of hope. One year on, as peace remains elusive, Williams Lake persists in standing with Ukraine.
References
Atamanenko, G. (2008). Fourteen Months on Franz Joseph Land. Ronsdale Press.
Barrowcliff, Z. (2023, April 6). Discussions sparked between Williams Lake councillors to help Ukraine. MyCaribooNow. https://www.mycariboonow.com/87636/news/williams-lake/discussions-sparked-between-williams-lake-councillors-to-help-ukraine/
Gambler, K. (2022, April 29). Nesika students raise $1,500 for Ukraine. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/community/nesika-students-raise-1-500-for-ukraine-5454831/
Lamb-Yorski, M. (2022, March 18). Cariboo woman fundraising for Ukrainian refugee shelter near Prague. Castlegar News. https://www.castlegarnews.com/news/cariboo-woman-fundraising-for-ukrainian-refugee-shelter-near-prague-4748565/
Lamb-Yorski, M. (2022, December 23). Ukrainian refugees in Williams Lake enjoy camaraderie, traditional meal at local apiary. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/community/ukrainian-refugees-in-williams-lake-enjoy-camaraderie-traditional-meal-at-local-apiary-5549503
Lloyd, R. (2022a, May 5). Williams Lake’s Station House Gallery to open Art for Ukraine show and fundraiser. 100 Mile House Free Press. https://www.100milefreepress.net/news/williams-lakes-station-house-gallery-to-open-art-for-ukraine-show-and-fundraiser-5449967/
Lloyd, R. (2022b, June 13). Be a kid —for the kids, fundraiser for Ukrainian orphans taps into nostalgia for a good cause. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/community/be-a-kid-for-the-kids-fundraiser-for-ukrainian-orphans-taps-into-nostalgia-for-a-good-cause-5543667
Lloyd, R. (2023, February 24). Cariboo-Chilcotin men team up to raise funds for Ukraine through book sales. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/community/cariboo-men-team-up-to-raise-funds-for-ukraine-through-book-sales-5551449
Moore, D. (2022, March 17). A jar of honey for Ukraine. The Orca. https://www.theorca.ca/residentpod/a-jar-of-honey-for-ukraine-6400936
Williams Lake Tribune. (2023a, April 11). Williams Lake man continues to look for ways to support Ukraine. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/news/williams-lake-man-continues-to-look-for-ways-to-support-ukraine-5552899
Williams Lake Tribune. (2023b, November 1). Williams Lake Sikh community gives to Ukraine relief efforts. Williams Lake Tribune. https://www.wltribune.com/community/williams-lake-sikh-community-gives-to-ukraine-relief-efforts-6830767