There was a large show of support for the walk to support the people of Ukraine in North Battleford Saturday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Show of support

Battlefords community comes together for rally for Ukraine

Mar 5, 2022 | 3:46 PM

There was a large turnout Saturday as people from throughout the Battlefords joined to show their support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflicts.

Participants gathered at city hall, then took part in a peaceful march through downtown North Battleford.

Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill, North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, and Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie were also present to show their solidarity.

“We have a large Ukrainian population in the Battlefords, and they bring a lot of value to our community,” Cockrill said. “Certainly, as a provincial government, we stand with the people of Ukraine during this conflict.”

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The Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council (BUCCC) president Paul Kardynal provided information for those who want to donate to help people in Ukraine in need. He was pleased to see so many attend the rally to show their support.

“I’ve said it before, Ukraine doesn’t deserve this massacre they are getting,” he said. “Hopefully, the war will be over pretty soon. This walk is to raise awareness of what is happening in the world.”

Kardynal said if anyone wants to find out what organizations are accepting donations for Ukraine they can contact him for details.

JoAnn McNie came to the gathering with her daughter Tory, who participates in Ukrainian dancing in the area, to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. McNie said she has relatives in Ukraine she is worried about. Her family first came to Saskatchewan from Ukraine many years ago.

“My grandfather emigrated from Ukraine as a three-year-old in 1907,” she said. “We’ve been here ever since.”

Tory was concerned about her former dance teacher, Lana Niland, who is originally from Saskatoon and is living in Ukraine now.

“She posts updates for us on Facebook to let us know how she is doing every day,” Tory said. “She feels it’s her home and that she is not going to be chased away. She is pretty brave for staying there.”

Joyce Bachman said her daughter also takes part in Ukrainian dancing in the Battlefords. Bachman’s mother was Ukrainian, so it was important for her to attend the local rally and show her support.

“I believe we need to look for peace,” she said. “I think to support Ukraine this rally was a really good idea.”

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow