`One stop shop' helps Ukrainians obtain services

Those temporary displaced by war `very impressed with the welcome'

Through tears and a voice strained with grief, Sergii Shvets, 74, expressed hope that he will find purpose and joy in Saskatchewan.

Shvets, a professional ballet dancer in his working life, was among dozens of temporarily displaced Ukrainians who arrived at a Government of Saskatchewan settlement reception held at Saskatoon's Travelodge Hotel on Friday. They recently arrived in Saskatoon on a flight from Warsaw, Poland.

The reception was billed as a “one stop shop” of settlement services for the new arrivals, who fled their war-ravaged homeland. Roughly 30 tables offering services were set at the reception, and people were able to fill out health care and housing applications, as well as begin the process of finding jobs, schools and banks.

Through a translator, Shvets, from Kyiv, said he had travelled to many countries in his life as a dancer, but never imagined he would be forced to leave Ukraine. Dire circumstances have made life in the country impossible for countless citizens, he said.

“I am very impressed with the welcome here,” he said. “But I never thought I would come so far away from Ukraine. If I had a choice, I would stay at home.”

A recent Russian bombardment of essential infrastructure in

Ukraine has cut heat and electricity to millions of people. Shvet said his friends and relatives in the country are melting snow for water. A missile landed not far from his home, destroying windows and doors.

“I feel I have one more hope here in Canada,” he said. “I hope to share my knowledge and to teach children the national dances of Ukraine.”

Saskatchewan Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jeremy Harrison said the settlement reception was unprecedented in Canada. Every government department and agency with a role in settlement was represented, he said.

The Government of Saskatchewan has sponsored four fights for displaced Ukrainians and is planning a fifth in the coming weeks, Harrison said. The flights have been donated free of charge by a partner in the effort.

“It's been remarkably successful,” Harrison said in a telephone interview. “I want to give a shout out to just a great team of officials right across government who have put their heart and soul into making this process work for these refugees arriving from Ukraine.”

He added that the effort is the right thing to do given the debt of gratitude the province owes to the many Ukrainian people who settled here.

The First Nation is trying to find solutions, he says, including providing ready-to-move homes that don't have a basement.

But the chief says it relies on funding from Ottawa.

“It's a slow process with government.”

Indigenous Services Canada will provide funding for four homes, said Matthew Gutsch, a spokesperson for the department. However, due to winter conditions they may not be ready for use until next spring, Gutsch added in an email.

In the meantime, he said the department will provide funding for families who cannot return to the community.

Indigenous Services Canada said a total of 17 homes were damaged during the rampage. Funding is also being provided to clean, restore and repair those that will not be replaced, Gutsch said.

The devastating memories of the deaths of Brian Burns' wife and son are held in the walls of their house.

Bonnie, 48, and Gregory, 28, were killed during the attack at the family home. Gloria Lydia Burns, a 61-year-old community member, also died trying to assist Bonnie, who called for help from her home.

There were three other children and two grandchildren in there at the time. Another 14-year-old son was stabbed but survived.

Brian Burns says that son shakes when he thinks about returning.

Brian Burns built the home seven years ago. After the massacre, he says there was blood everywhere.

Now he wants to see it burned down and a monument and three crosses put in its place.

“When you have a murder in your house, you are supposed to burn your place down and start over,” he says. “So, I am just following customs and protocol from what my traditional ways are.”

Brian Burns has been sharing a hotel room in Melfort, 40 kilometres south of the First Nation, with his three surviving sons, granddaughter and grandson.

“We are tired of hotel life. We are tired of takeout meals,” he says.

Burns has been told they will get a ready-to-move home but doesn't know when.

Until then, he hopes to find a place to rent in Melfort so his children can at least experience Christmas at a home.

“I'll make sure those boys have a gift,” he says. “I'll make sure they have a turkey meal. It might be in a hotel room, but I hope not.”