Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada was one of the first Ukrainian community organizations in Canada

Canada is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas in the world. Ukrainians first came to Canada in the 19th century and according to the 2016 Census, more than 110,000 Ukrainian Canadians reported Ukrainian as their mother tongue, and more than half live in the Prairie Provinces. Canada has a few Ukrainian organizations that help to keep their culture and traditions alive. The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada (UWOC) is one of the first Ukrainian community organizations in the country.

UWOC was founded in 1930 by groups of young women affiliated with the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada. Over the course of its history, the organization’s headquarters have been located in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and, in more recent years, Toronto. The UWOC is a member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, The National Council of Women of Canada, as well as other national and international women’s associations.

This year, as they celebrate their 90th anniversary, their role is more important than ever to support the Ukrainian community. Here are some of their annual activities: Since 1959, Camp Sokil on the shores of Lake Simcoe offers children ages 6-16 the opportunity to learn life skills while they are camping. Schools teaching Ukrainian language and history have a curriculum that includes Ukrainian literature, history, geography, religion and Ukrainian culture. The Toronto branch of Camp Soniashnyk has been a summer tradition for over ten years. Here the students have the opportunity to keep in touch with the Ukrainian culture and they can do activities such as: crafts, sports, STEM activities (science, technology, engineering and math problems), culinary arts, Ukrainian and Canadian traditions, swimming and leadership lessons.

Recently The Ukrainian Women’s Organization National and Toronto Branch have donated $7,000 to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The money will help to provide humanitarian assistance in the form of medical care, emergency shelter and food security to displaced persons.

If you want to donate and help the Ukrainians here are some credible organizations that will make sure help gets there: Canadian Red Cross; Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund; Help Us Help; Canada-Ukraine Foundation; GlobalMedic; Ukraine Humanitarian Fund; UNICEF; Save the Children Canada; UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) and Ukrainian World Congress.

Below we publish the interview with Patricia Latyshko, from the Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada, Toronto Branch. UWOC promotes Ukrainian heritage across the country and many of their members have family and friends in Ukraine. “At this time the hope is that those who are able, will have the ability to come to Canada”, said Patricia Latyshko to our newspaper.

Milénio Stadium: The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada was one of the first Ukrainian community organizations in Canada. What kind of work do you do throughout the year?
Patricia Latyshko: The Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada, patroness Olha Basarab – (UWOC) including our branches, is a social, cultural, educational organization based on Christian principles, advocating patriotism towards Canada and allegiance to the heritage of Ukraine. UWOC aims to be a visible and active member of the community by: organizing and supporting Ukrainian Canadian women in community involvement; by creating UWOC branches, promoting Ukrainian language, culture, customs, traditions, furthering Ukrainian Canadian issues, commemorating Ukrainian historical figures and events, publishing, encouraging the establishment of Ukrainian schools, childcare centers, summer camps and establishing and maintaining contact with women’s organizations in Canada, Ukraine and internationally; by aiding the needy both in Canada and Ukraine and by supporting the democratic, economic, and social development of a democratic Ukraine.

MS: What about the Toronto branch? What are the main priorities?
PL: UWOC branches across Canada have a long history promoting and imparting information and hosting of special events (engaging seminars, workshops, historical commemorations, etc.) as well as communicating information on Ukrainian Humanitarian Initiatives both in Canada and Ukraine. All our branches follow the above-mentioned principles and objectives of our organization.

MS: Most of the refugees from the Ukrainian war are now women, children and the elderly. As an organization that represents women, what is your message to them?
PL: Russia’s inhumane attacks have created an unprecedented Humanitarian crisis which will bring huge impacts in the coming days and weeks. Being here, far away from danger in Canada, it is difficult to send a message other than we are praying for their safety. We must do everything we can to isolate the Russian Federation and punish them for trying to destroy Ukraine and threatening the rest of the world with this aggression. Russia must be declared a terrorist state and punished.

MS: How is the Ukrainian Canadian community based here in Toronto?
PL: There is a large Ukrainian Canadian community in the GTA, and the values are predominantly the same across the board – patriotism to Canada, Christian values and supporting the democratic, economic, and social development of a free Ukraine.

MS: Last Friday (25), Premier Doug Ford said, that Ontario is open to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. Based on the feedback that your organization receives from the members, do they have family or friends in Ukraine that would like to relocate here?
PL: Many of our members have family and friends in Ukraine at this time and the hope is that those who are able, will have the ability to come to Canada. However, the greatest hope is that those family and friends who are in Ukraine will be able to keep themselves and their elderly and children safe from harm.

MS: How can we donate to help Ukrainian people?
PL: For Canadians who wish to make donations – please donate to the Humanitarian Relief Appeal that the Canada Ukraine Foundation and Ukrainian Canadian Congress have set up. Find out more on their website at ucc.ca The Canadian Red Cross is also accepting donations for Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Joana Leal/MS