𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 — 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯1, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Dear Stand with Ukraine supporters,

As I sit down to write this final update of 2025, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude. You are one of approximately 700 people who receive these monthly messages—700 individuals and families across Kamloops, across Canada, and around the world who have chosen to stand with Ukraine.

I’ll be honest with you: I don’t have a sophisticated system. I collect emails, not names. I don’t always know who you are or how you found your way onto this list. Some of you have stood with us at City Hall on Saturdays. Some of you have donated to the Stand with Ukraine Scholarship Fund at TRU. Some of you have welcomed Ukrainian newcomers into your homes, your workplaces, your hearts. Some of you live thousands of kilometres away and simply wanted to stay connected. However you arrived here—thank you for staying.

The message below was written for the people of Kamloops, but as I wrote it, I realized it speaks to every community that stands with Ukraine. Whether you’re reading this in Vancouver or Winnipeg, in Toronto or Edmonton, in a small town or a big city, in Canada or beyond—this message is for you too. The concerns people raise are the same everywhere. The reasons we keep standing are the same everywhere. The hope we carry is the same everywhere.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

My next update will arrive in early January with exciting news and invitations, including:

🎭 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘆𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 — January 10th, 2026 at Heffley Creek Hall! Join us for a magical evening of Ukrainian New Year celebration. More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/24909614625340900/?active_tab=discussion

🎶 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮 & 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 — January 17th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Our new musical community begins!

I’ve been gathering news and stories from all of you who keep sharing what’s happening in Kamloops and beyond. Your updates, your photos, your ideas—they all find their way into these messages. Keep sharing. It matters.

𝗔 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁

I need help. In 2026, I hope we can find better ways to communicate and organize these updates. If you have skills in email management, communications, or simply want to help coordinate our Stand with Ukraine efforts, please reach out. Many hands make light work.

In the meantime, you can always subscribe for news on my website drokacademy.ca and receive updates whenever I post. If I’ve somehow missed your email or you know someone who should be on this list, my apologies—please forward this message and invite them to subscribe.

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Thank you for standing with Ukraine.

And now, as we close out 2025 together, I want to share with you the message from our 201st consecutive Saturday gathering—the last Saturday of December 2025. It reflects on nearly four years of solidarity, addresses the concerns people raise about supporting Ukraine, and celebrates the extraordinary community that continues to show up.

With respect,

Sasha

What follows is my updated community message from Saturday, December 28, 2025—Day 1,403 of the full-scale invasion, Saturday #201 of our weekly gatherings.

𝗔𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 — 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭,𝟰𝟬𝟯. 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 #𝟮𝟬𝟭.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.

Dear Kamloopsians

Whether you join us from Sahali or the North Shore, from Brocklehurst or Aberdeen, from Westsyde or Valleyview, from Downtown or Juniper Ridge, from Barnhartvale or Sun Rivers, from Rayleigh or Dallas—thank you. Thank you for nearly four years of standing together.

These five photographs tell a story. The first image is from February 26, 2022—just two days after the full-scale invasion began—when we gathered for the very first time near the Hope sign and walk through downtown of Kamloops, not yet knowing this would become a nearly four-year commitment. Then we transitioned to our weekly gatherings at the corner near City Hall. The remaining four photos capture the last Saturday of December in 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025. Four winters. Four years of cold hands and warm hearts. None of us imagined we would still be here. None of us wanted this.

𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀—𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂

I want to say something important: 90% of the people who stand with Ukraine in Kamloops are Canadian citizens. Including myself. This isn’t a movement of outsiders asking for help. This is Kamloops showing up for Kamloops—neighbours standing with neighbours.

Thank you to every resident who has attended our Saturday gatherings, even once. Thank you to those who donated to the Stand with Ukraine Scholarship Fund at Thompson Rivers University—helping students who stand with Ukraine build futures here. If you know a student who is eligible and not yet applied, please do so by December 31st, 2025. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed Ukrainian newcomers into your workplaces, your neighbourhoods, and your lives. Thank you for showing that Kamloops values every person who chooses to make this city home.

You may not realize how far your kindness travels.

When I attend global conferences and share stories about our community—about the Saturday gatherings, about the honks and waves, about the scholarships and the welcome—Ukrainian people in the audience often begin to cry. They cry because somewhere they’ve never heard of, in a place they couldn’t find on a map, people know about Ukraine. People care. People show up, week after week, in the cold.

And then something beautiful happens: communities around the world hear about Kamloops and want to do the same. They ask how they can start their own gatherings. How they can support Ukrainian newcomers. How they can let defenders on the front lines know they are not forgotten.

That’s where you come in.

We have a postcard-writing program for Ukrainian defenders. We provide free supplies—cards, stamps, everything you need. You write a message of hope and solidarity, and we ship the postcards to Ontario, where every single card is delivered to the front lines in Ukraine via https://postcardstothefrontcanada.com/ . Imagine a soldier, exhausted and far from home, receiving a handwritten note from Kamloops, British Columbia. Imagine them knowing that someone across the world is thinking of them.

That’s the power of what we do here. It ripples outward in ways we can’t always see.

𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱.

I know you have jobs, families, health concerns, and a thousand other responsibilities pulling at you. I know standing outside in the December cold isn’t how anyone dreams of spending their Saturday afternoon. I know this.

And I want to say: feeling tired isn’t shameful. Nearly four years is a long time. War fatigue is real—for those living through it, and for those witnessing it from afar. Your exhaustion doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human. But here’s what I’ve learned: showing up tired is still showing up. You don’t need to feel energized or hopeful every time. You just need to be present. Some Saturdays I stand at that corner running on nothing but stubbornness and joy to see fellow Kamloopsians standing with me. That counts too.

𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆.

“𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿.” But when a sovereign nation is invaded, when international law is shattered, when a people are told to surrender their identity or die—it becomes everyone’s concern. What happens in Ukraine echoes in the rules-based order that protects us all.

“𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆.” Yes, 8,000 kilometres. And yet Ukrainian newcomers now live on your street, work beside you, sit in your classrooms. Their families are under those missiles. Distance dissolves when your neighbour’s heart is breaking.

“𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮?” Let me put it in terms closer to home. Most Canadians want to live in an independent country. We don’t want to become the 51st American state. We value our sovereignty, our identity, our right to make our own decisions about our future. Even though America is our neighbour, our ally, our friend—we want to remain Canada.

Ukraine feels the same way. They don’t want to become russia. They have their own language, their own culture, their own history, their own dreams for their future. They have the right to exist as a sovereign nation, just as Canada does. The only difference is that Ukraine’s neighbour didn’t ask politely—they invaded. And Ukrainians are fighting for the same thing Canadians would fight for: the right to be themselves, in their own home, making their own choices.

If someone tried to erase Canada and make us something we’re not, wouldn’t you resist? Ukrainians are doing exactly that.

“𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵, 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲?” This one stings, and I think it’s meant to. But let me answer it honestly: Not everyone can be a soldier. I am a caregiver for my mother with dementia. Others here have health conditions, family responsibilities, jobs that serve our community. Supporting Ukraine doesn’t require picking up a rifle. Soldiers need supplies, medical equipment, drones, winter gear. Refugees need housing and employment. Children need schools. The displaced need hope. There are a thousand ways to fight for freedom, and standing on a corner in Kamloops every Saturday—reminding the world that Ukraine is not forgotten—is one of them. Writing a postcard to a defender is one of them. Donating to a scholarship fund is one of them. Welcoming a newcomer is one of them. Every act of solidarity matters.

“𝗚𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺.” I came from Ukraine. I immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in 2004, earned my MSW and PhD degrees here, built my career here, pay taxes here, became a Canadian citizen, and have dedicated my life (20+ years) to serving Canadian students (more than 7000 now) and communities from coast to coast to coast. This IS where I came from—Canada is my home now, too. And to the Ukrainian newcomers who arrived fleeing war: Canada invited you. Canada needs you. You work hard, you contribute, you enrich our communities. The same was said to Italians, to Chinese, to Irish, to every wave of immigrants who contributed to this country. History has always proven the naysayers wrong. You belong here.

“𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀—𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲!” This is a concern I hear often, and it deserves a thoughtful response. Yes, Canada has committed significant support to Ukraine. Here is a recent announcement from the Prime Minister Carney https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/12/27/prime-minister-carney-announces-new-support-just-and-lasting-peace But here’s what that investment actually means:

Much of Canada’s military aid involves equipment from our existing stockpiles—equipment that would otherwise sit in warehouses or eventually be decommissioned. When we send it to Ukraine, it gets used to defend democracy and deter further aggression. Meanwhile, Canada’s defence industry receives contracts to replenish and modernize our own military capabilities, creating jobs right here at home.

More importantly, consider the alternative. If Ukraine falls, what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching closely? That invasion works. That borders can be redrawn by force. That nuclear blackmail succeeds. The cost of stopping aggression now is far less than the cost of a destabilized world order later. Global security isn’t abstract—it affects trade, energy prices, food security, and the safety of Canadians abroad. When we invest in Ukraine’s defence, we invest in a world where the rules still matter.

And let’s be honest: Canada can address problems at home AND stand for justice abroad. We are a wealthy nation. The question isn’t whether we can afford to help—it’s whether we can afford not to.

“𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.” There are. Housing, healthcare, reconciliation—real struggles that need attention. But compassion isn’t a finite resource. Standing for justice abroad doesn’t diminish our capacity to fight for justice here. It strengthens it. A society that cares only for itself eventually stops caring at all.

“𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲.” Peace requires two willing parties. Ukraine has shown willingness to negotiate—but what is there to negotiate when the other side demands you cease to exist as a nation? When they deny your language, your culture, your right to choose your own future? “Peace” that requires surrender isn’t peace. It’s occupation. It’s erasure. Ukrainians aren’t fighting because they love war. They’re fighting because the alternative is annihilation. We don’t tell someone being attacked in their home to “just give the intruder what they want.” We shouldn’t say it to a nation either.

“𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀.” Nations join NATO because they fear invasion—and Ukraine’s fate proves those fears were justified. Ukraine wasn’t even in NATO when it was invaded. Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own alliances. Blaming Ukraine for Russia’s invasion is like blaming someone for locking their doors and saying it “provoked” a burglar.

“𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆.” Ukraine has struggled with corruption—as have many post-Soviet nations, including Russia itself. But Ukrainians have fought for reform, including the Maidan revolution of 2014, which was precisely about demanding accountability and European integration. War has actually accelerated anti-corruption efforts as international support requires transparency. More importantly, corruption doesn’t justify invasion. Canada has had corruption scandals too. No one would suggest that makes us deserving of occupation.

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮.” This narrative erases Ukrainian agency entirely. Ukrainians are not pawns. They are people fighting for their own survival, their own land, their own future. They didn’t ask to be invaded. They didn’t start this war. They’re simply refusing to lose it. Western support helps them defend themselves—it didn’t cause the invasion.

“𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀—𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲.” I hear this increasingly as political landscapes shift. Some believe a change in government here or abroad will bring swift resolution (Trump promised to end the war in 24 hours). But here’s what we must understand: lasting peace cannot be imposed from outside. It must center Ukrainian voices and Ukrainian agency. Any “deal” made over Ukraine’s head—without their consent, without respecting their sovereignty—isn’t peace. It’s betrayal. It’s powerful nations deciding the fate of a smaller one, which is precisely what started this war. We should be deeply skeptical of anyone who promises quick solutions that don’t include Ukrainians at the table, making decisions about their own future. Peace will come when Ukraine decides the terms are acceptable—not when outside powers grow tired of supporting them.

“𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲.” This is the argument authoritarians want us to make. If nuclear threats work once, they’ll be used again—against Taiwan, against NATO allies, against anyone who resists. Giving in to nuclear blackmail doesn’t prevent future conflict; it guarantees it. The greatest risk to global stability isn’t supporting Ukraine. It’s showing the world that aggression and nuclear threats succeed.

“𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱.” One side invaded. One side is defending its home. One side bombs hospitals, abducts children, and targets civilian infrastructure in winter. One side is trying to survive. False equivalence isn’t wisdom—it’s a way of avoiding the discomfort of taking a moral stand.

“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀? 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹, 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮, 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗮𝗻, 𝗬𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻?” This is a fair question, and it deserves an honest answer. The world is full of suffering, and no one can care about everything equally all the time. But here’s what I believe: caring about Ukraine doesn’t diminish our capacity to care about Israelis, Palestinians, or Sudanese, or Yemenis, or anyone else. Solidarity isn’t a zero-sum game. We don’t have a fixed amount of compassion that runs out if we use it in one place. If anything, the opposite is true—people who show up for one cause often show up for others. The skills we build in organizing, in advocacy, in refusing to look away—they transfer. I stand for Ukraine because it’s my homeland, because I know the people and the history, because I can be effective here. Others stand for causes closer to their own hearts and histories. That’s not hypocrisy. That’s humans doing what they can, where they can. The real question isn’t “why this and not that?” It’s “what are you doing for any of it?” Whataboutism can be a way of avoiding action entirely. Don’t let it paralyze you. Pick something. Show up. And support others who show up for different causes too.

“𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴—𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲?” Every honk from a passing car. Every wave. Every thumbs up. Every person who slows down to read our signs. Every postcard that reaches a soldier’s hands. It matters. It tells Ukrainians—here and in Ukraine—that they are not forgotten. That the world has not moved on. That we see them. And for our government, seeing citizens stand week after week sends a message that Canadians support continued solidarity.

“𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁.” That’s okay. You don’t need a degree in Eastern European history to recognize that families shouldn’t be bombed in their homes. That children shouldn’t grow up in subway stations. That people shouldn’t have to choose between fleeing their homeland and dying in it.

“𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀?” Because today it’s Ukraine. Tomorrow it could be Taiwan. Or Moldova. Or a NATO ally. Or even Canada—we share an Arctic border with Russia. Aggression unchecked becomes aggression emboldened. The security architecture that has kept Europe—and by extension, Canada’s closest allies—stable for decades is being tested. Ukraine isn’t just fighting for Ukraine. They’re fighting for the principle that sovereign nations have the right to exist. That principle protects us all.

𝗧𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲:

Thank you for trusting us with your new beginning. We see how hard you work—contributing to our community, paying taxes, filling essential jobs, while sending support back to loved ones who are fighting. You’re not a burden on Canada. You’re building Canada, just as generations of immigrants have done before you. We see the weight you carry. You are not alone here.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

Today was cold, but our hearts were full. Ross brought Timbits to share—because of course he did. Helga and Jack stood with us. Don and Alana placed the flag on the tree, as they do. Michelle and John waved our flags proudly. Svitlana was with us while Larysa and Mama stayed home. And to everyone who couldn’t be there but sent messages—we felt you. You were with us in spirit.

What warmed us wasn’t just the treats and good company—it was the cars driving by. The waves. The honks. The thumbs up. Each gesture a little warmer, a little more intentional this week. They see us. They remember. They drive in solidarity with us.

We also practiced singing a special new song for Ukrainian defenders—and we’ll keep rehearsing next week. You’re welcome to join us.

🎵 “𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 / Вітання з Камлупса”
(to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”)

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟭
We send you our warmest greetings,
We send you our warmest greetings,
We send you our warmest greetings,
From Kamloops, with care.

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘂𝘀
Good tidings from Kamloops,
Wherever you are,
Good tidings of courage
And hope this new year.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟮
We thank you for standing strong,
We thank you for standing strong,
We thank you for standing strong,
For freedom and peace.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟯
We stand with you strong united,
We stand with you strong united,
We stand with you strong united,
With hearts that are true.

🎵 Вітання з Камлупса (Українською)

𝗞𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝟭
Ми шлемо вам щирі вітання,
Ми шлемо вам щирі вітання,
Ми шлемо вам щирі вітання,
З Камлупса з теплом.

𝗣𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘃
Вітання з Камлупса,
Де б ви не були,
Вітання, відваги
Й надії в цей рік.

𝗞𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝟮
Ми дякуємо вам за відвагу,
Ми дякуємо вам за відвагу,
Ми дякуємо вам за відвагу,
За волю і мир.

𝗞𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝟯
Ми з вами серцем і думкою,
Ми з вами серцем і думкою,
Ми з вами серцем і думкою,
Ми з вами усі.

🎶 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲!

We’re launching a Ukrainian bandura and musical instrument practice group along with a Ukrainian-Canadian choir right here in Kamloops!

📅 First gathering: Saturday, January 17th, 2026
🕐 Time: 5:00 p.m.
📍 Location: My place! (PM / email me for address)

All are welcome—no experience necessary, just a love for Ukrainian-Canadian music and community. Let’s make beautiful music together!

✉️ 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿

Want to send a message of hope directly to someone on the front lines? We provide free supplies—postcards, stamps, everything you need. Write your message, and we’ll ship it to Ontario, where every card is delivered to defenders in Ukraine. A few words from Kamloops can travel thousands of kilometres to remind a soldier that the world hasn’t forgotten them.

Reach out if you’d like to participate—we’ll make it easy or contact directly https://postcardstothefrontcanada.com/

𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Sometimes people leave hurtful comments. That’s okay. We don’t do this for approval. We do this because it’s right. Some who criticize are learning. Some are struggling with their own fears. Some are repeating narratives they’ve heard without examining them. Some simply don’t understand yet. We meet hostility with patience. We meet ignorance with information. We meet cruelty with continued kindness.

If you’ve read this far and you’re someone who has doubts—thank you for listening. I don’t ask you to agree with everything. I only ask you to consider: if it were your home, your family, your country—wouldn’t you want someone to stand for you?

No one who has experienced air raid sirens at 3 a.m., or watched their city reduced to rubble, or buried a child killed by a missile—would ever tell us to stop standing. So we won’t.

As we approach the heartbreaking four-year mark of this full-scale invasion, I am moved beyond words by the community spirit that keeps these gatherings alive. We didn’t choose this. We don’t want to be here. But as long as the people of Ukraine fight for their freedom and peace, we will stand with them.

Kamloops, you have shown the world what solidarity looks like. Communities across the globe look to us as an example. That’s not a small thing—that’s extraordinary.

Global solidarity isn’t optional when democracy itself is under attack. It’s necessary. And it benefits us all—not just morally, but practically. A world where aggression fails is a safer world for Canada, for our children, and for generations to come.

To everyone who stood with us today in person, and to everyone who stands with Ukraine in spirit—dyakuyu. Thank you.

We will keep going. Every Saturday. For as long as it takes.

𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗮 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶! 🇺🇦