On this historic inaugural Ukrainian Heritage Day in British Columbia, our community gathered in Kamloops on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc Nation for an intimate and deeply moving ceremony at City Hall. This momentous occasion would not have been possible without the dedicated organizing efforts of Zonia and Gwendy, whose vision and hard work brought our community together to celebrate this official recognition by the Province of British Columbia.
The ceremony was made even more special by the attendance of Marten, Oksana, and Ihor, each bringing their own unique connections to Ukrainian heritage in Canada. Meeting Marten was particularly meaningful, as we discovered his ancestral ties to the legendary Eleniak family – his ancestors arrived during that same pioneering wave of Ukrainian immigration in the 1890s and settled in Alberta. The stories Marten shared with Gwendy and me were captivating glimpses into our shared history, connecting us directly to those first brave souls who crossed the ocean seeking a new life. These personal narratives are precious threads in the fabric of Ukrainian-Canadian history, and I look forward to connecting with Marten again to properly record these stories for future generations.
Gwendy graciously shared her own story of connection to Ukraine, adding another layer of richness to our gathering. Her wisdom, care, and support throughout this journey have been invaluable, particularly in ensuring we honored the Indigenous heritage of the land we were celebrating on. The Indigenous land acknowledgment ceremony she facilitated reminded us all that our Ukrainian heritage in Canada is inseparable from our responsibility to acknowledge and respect the First Nations who have been stewards of this territory since time immemorial.
Zonia’s thoughtful preparation included bringing signs for the event, and together we ensured that the Provincial proclamation was translated into Ukrainian, honoring both official languages of our heritage. This bilingual approach reflected our community’s commitment to preserving Ukrainian language and culture while fully embracing our Canadian identity.
Reconnecting with Ihor and Oksana was another highlight of the day, and our conversation sparked an exciting new initiative. Inspired by a recent moving performance by a Ukrainian-Canadian choir in the Comox Valley, we have decided to establish our own local Ukrainian-Canadian choir here in Kamloops. I am eager to share my knowledge of Ukrainian language and songs, while Zonia will lead the musical direction. This choir is open to all community members who love to sing and want to be part of preserving and celebrating Ukrainian musical traditions. Our goal is to perform at next year’s Ukrainian Heritage Day celebration, adding our voices to this growing tradition.
This intimate gathering at Kamloops City Hall was more than a ceremony – it was a testament to the power of community, the importance of preserving heritage, and the beauty of connections that span generations. From the first Ukrainian settlers like the Eleniaks to our thriving community today, we continue to build bridges between our ancestral homeland and our Canadian home.
Thank you to the Province of British Columbia for this historic recognition, and to everyone who made this inaugural Ukrainian Heritage Day in Kamloops such a meaningful and memorable occasion. Together, we honor our past while building our future, ensuring that Ukrainian heritage remains a vibrant part of British Columbia’s cultural mosaic.
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