Ukraine might be almost 8,300 kilometres away from Moose Jaw, but that isn’t stopping a Central Collegiate history teacher from organizing a rally to support the war-ravaged country.
Ray Rawlyk is teaming up with the City of Moose Jaw, Canadian Red Cross, Moose Jaw Multicultural Council and other community groups to host a Rally for Ukraine, scheduled for Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m. at the Crescent Park Amphitheatre.
The event will see a choral group sing the Ukrainian anthem, followed by an address from Mayor Clive Tolley and comments from five Ukrainian residents who experienced the war in the Eastern European country. A Ukrainian dance troupe from Regina will also perform during the event.
The multicultural council will collect donations on behalf of the Red Cross and issue tax receipts for donations over $20.
“The main purpose is to stand physically in solidarity with Ukraine. And that would include all of our local Ukrainians who have immediate family there,” said Rawlyk, adding the event will also help welcome Ukrainian refugees who come to Saskatchewan.
“Basically, I would like people to feel that there’s a common feeling of sympathy and shock (and) anger for the Ukraine. And there’s strength — I think — in standing together physically, shoulder to shoulder … .”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine filled the high school teacher with various emotions, such as anger, shock, helplessness, and frustration, he said. That is why he helped organize the rally since he wanted people to come together as a community instead of watching the news by themselves or with family.
It’s been two generations since anyone from Rawlyk’s family visited their cultural homeland. However, with all the emotions bubbling up in him, he knew it was the right decision to pursue this event. With a chuckle, he pointed out that most people right now — regardless of cultural background — are adopted Ukrainians, whether they know it or not.
“But I’m still proud of that heritage, and so if I’m feeling this way, I can’t even imagine what our local Ukrainians who came directly from there are feeling right now,” he said.
Several students at Central Collegiate are from Ukraine, and Rawlyk says he can see how the war is painfully affecting them. Furthermore, during recent parent-teacher interviews, it was difficult talking with Ukrainian parents since they were distracted and thinking about their home country.
“You could see the pain in their faces. It’s horrible,” he added.
Rawlyk initially created a start-up fundraiser to help support the rally and received an overwhelming amount of support, including from the business community. He also received plenty of support from city hall, particularly from Mayor Clive Tolley and city manager Jim Puffalt.
Rawlyk praised the support he received from the two municipal officials, saying they gave him direction and advice on how best to proceed. He indicated that it would have been 10 times more difficult without their guidance.
The teacher also thanked the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council for its support since it promised to send “an army of volunteers” to the event. Moreover, he also found other volunteers using social media.
“It came together quickly,” Rawlyk said.
Rawlyk added that people should bundle up with extra layers on April 10, depending on the weather.
