Words often fail us in truly difficult times. However, as Canadians, giving voice to the devastation happening in Ukraine is all we can do.
The Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage (PCUH) at St. Thomas More College unequivocally stands with our resilient and courageous brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who fight for freedom not only for themselves, but on behalf of Europe and the rest of the democratic world. The footage and images that have flooded our screens in the last week speak for themselves. Suffice it to say, those of us who work and study on this campus who have any connection to this seemingly far away land have never been more proud.
Simultaneously, we have never been more fearful for our relatives, friends, colleagues, and even former students who find themselves there.
As this unprovoked war persists, it is incumbent on all Canadians to raise their voices – in support of those fighting for their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren; in support of the Canadian government, in concert with others, to not only condemn and take steps to stop the maniacal actions of Mr. Putin, but to send aid to a population that is already experiencing a humanitarian crisis on an astronomical scale, one whose reverberations will be felt across Europe and the West for years to come. What is happening now must remain at the tops of our minds and the tips of our tongues – Ukraine is counting on us.
Our work at the PCUH has perhaps never been more important. As an anchor for Ukrainian Studies at St. Thomas More College and the University of Saskatchewan for nearly a quarter century, we play a pivotal role in creating awareness and supporting further research on topics in Ukrainian history, politics, and culture. A common theme in our work is that throughout history, despite genocide, numerous invasions, centuries of linguistic and cultural oppression – Ukrainians remain. As we have all seen this week, this theme is as relevant as ever and the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people miraculously persists.
Let us lift our words up in prayer – so that Mr. Putin is stopped, so that there may be peace and an end to the senseless bloodshed, and so that Ukraine may recover and prosper in true freedom and sovereignty forever more.
Slava Ukraiini! Heroiam Slava!
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to its Heroes!
Слава Україні! Героям Слава!
Dr. Nadya Foty-Oneschuk
Interim Director, Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage
