Yukoners, including politicians, gathered last Thursday for a rally in honour of Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day.

The noon event, which took place at Main Street and Third Avenue, was hosted by the UCAY (Ukrainian Canadian Association of Yukon).

The politicians among the 20-plus people included Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke, Liberal MLA Jeremy Harper, who is the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, and Yukon Party MLAs Geraldine Van Bibber and Scott Kent.

Thursday marked the second Ukrainian Independence Day since the country has been at war with Russia.

Lesia Hnatiw, a Ukrainian Canadian, Yukoner and member of the UCAY, spoke at the rally. She is also one of two Yukon volunteers who accompanied medical aid and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine earlier this year.

“The Ukrainian people have demonstrated to democracies everywhere that regardless of their size, they are capable of standing up to the ruthless dictatorships that currently threaten the international order,” said Hnatiw.

“The courage of the Ukrainian people has inspired the whole world. It has renewed humanity’s hope that justice has not completely disappeared from our world, and that freedom will win.”

Hnatiw provided a brief history of Ukraine’s independence efforts.

“Ukraine, a country with over 1,000 years of history, is currently proving its unwavering strength to preserve that independence,” she said.

“Before 1991, Ukrainians lived under the power of the totalitarian regime of communist U.S.S.R.

“It was a very difficult time, with terrible tragedies, forced collectivization, genocide, deportations, forced labour camps, Soviet military interventions and the Chernobyl disaster, among other events that took the lives of millions of Ukrainians, who represented many different nationalities.

“On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union in order to build a free democratic and sovereign state with internationally recognized borders.”

Since then, Hantiw said, any attempts to restore authoritarianism have faced strong people’s resistance.

“The Orange Revolution of 2004 2005 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014 have proven that freedom is the ultimate choice and expression of the Ukrainian people,” she said.

“Since 1991, more than 40 million people of different nationalities and religions had enjoyed peace in Ukraine until 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and sent its troops over the border in Ukraine’s Donbass region.”

Then, on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Hnatiw noted.

“For over a year and a half now, Russia has been systematically committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Russian forces have targeted health care facilities, schools and civilian neighbourhoods, intentionally attacking more civilian than military targets since the start of the war.

“Russia is committing genocide. It is reported that between 2.8 and 4.5 million Ukrainian citizens have been forcibly deported from their homes to Russia, between 260,000 and 700,000 are children.”

Hnatiw also added that Ukraine is one of the world’s top food exporters and Russia’s “war of aggression” has put millions at risk of hunger.

“Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka dam has created a monumental economic and ecological catastrophe in the Kherson region of Ukraine. Russia’s invasion and its continued presence at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities specifically Zaporizhzhia,” Hnatiw told the rally.

“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant threatens the world with nuclear disaster.

“Russia has willfully and brazenly violated all the norms of the civilized world, engaging in the most heinous conduct against Ukraine’s civilian population and its environment.”

According to the United Nations, Hnatiw said at least 13 million people have fled their homes and more than six million have become refugees.

“And over seven million are still thought to be displaced within Ukraine. More than 167,000 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since the beginning of the war, and many have made the Yukon their new home,” she continued.

“On August 24, Ukrainians across Canada and around the world gathered to celebrate; however, because of Russia’s unprovoked ongoing genocidal war against Ukraine. We are here today to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people for their incredible courage and valor in defending their freedom from tyranny and genocide,” she said.

Minister Clarke said Ukraine is not alone, and that the Yukon is with them.

“Ukraine’s continuing quest for full freedom and self-determination inspires us all. Russia’s unjust and barbaric war continues,” he added.

“We hear the horrific stories and see the jarring imagery from the news. We cannot lose sight of the brave and resilient people at the front, the people fighting to uphold democratic values.

“Yukon has become a place of refuge for Ukrainian families. We are proud to provide care and assistance to those in need,” he said.

Elena Kozhevnikova, a member of the UCAY, said on that special day, it was customary in Ukraine to hold parades, festive concerts and fireworks to wear traditional national costumes and noisy stages.

Instead, today, Ukraine, engulfed in war for 547 days, is courageously fighting for its existence as an independent state.

“I would like to believe that our common efforts will contribute to Ukrainian victory and lasting peace. Our solidarity gives confidence that the sacrifice of thousands of Ukrainian lives is not in vain and will never be forgotten,” Kozhevnikova said.

“Ukrainians throughout their centuries-old history have preserved their cultural heritage, language, traditions, our religions, their identity. Since gaining independence, they have demonstrated their commitment to democratic values,” Kozhevnikova added.

She then said the people who express their love of their land as the legendary Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko does, are invincible. Then Kozhevnikova recited a poem by Kostenko titled “All in my life is called one word – Ukraine” in Ukrainian and UCAY member Grant Zazula repeated it in English.

“It seems to me I’m blind from beauty here. And stop amazed when seeing all these wonders:

“Beloved blue skies and fields and what is more, all these are fresh and tender and so dear. Just simple things.

“Those roads, sycamores. All in my life is Ukraine, in one word. Eternal beauty and its inner sense inspire me to stop and speak to God,” he said.

Zazula told the Star the issue is personal to him as his family fled Ukraine over successive generations to escape horrible situations.

“This is our little piece of resistance and making sure that the world knows what’s happening and making sure that Yukoners know what’s happening and it just feels really good to know that other people care,” he said.

Anya Lebedenko and Yurii Zinovyk are Ukrainians who came to the Yukon a few months ago.

“Today’s a big holiday for Ukrainians everyone should remember this day, even in Canada,” said Lebedenko.

“It’s independence day from the U.S.S.R.; 32 years ago, our country became independent. We are young but we are strong,” she added.

At the end of the rally, a moment of silence was issued by Hnatiw in honour of those who have lost their lives due to “Russia’s brutal war of aggression in Ukraine.”