Canadian/Ukrainian flag in P.A. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Ukrainians in P.A.

Year In Review: Prince Albert becomes home for Ukrainian newcomers

Dec 24, 2022 | 8:00 AM

As 2022 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a story that not only caught the interest of those in Prince Albert but people across the globe.

Feb. 24 will be a day Ukrainians will remember forever as it eventually forced hundreds of thousands to flee their home and find refuge in a brand-new country.

In early March, around 50 people took part in a ceremony in P.A. to show support for Ukraine. This included Sonya Jahn who took it upon herself to help all newcomers in P.A. find work and a place to stay.

“It’s heartbreaking and I’m not even sleeping at night I’m just so worried about the innocent people,” Jahn said. “All they want is to have a peaceful life, to have democracy, and to live a wonderful life.”

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The first newcomers to move to P.A. arrived in May with the numbers quickly growing over the summer. In early June, there were seven families and by mid-August, that number grew to 21. These newcomers were also able to find jobs as businesses, like MNP LLP, Mr. Mikes, Canadian Tire, and Market Tire, stepped up to support these families.

“These are folks that desperately need help, they’re being hard done by through just a horrible, horrible situation,” Malcolm Jenkins, the owner of Canadian Tire in P.A. said. “Any percentage of relief that we can offer to help them and show goodwill, I think we have to do that.”

P.A. officially became home to over 100 newcomers in September. Twenty-eight were children with all those old enough to go to school able to enroll for the 2022-23 school year.

Fast forward to November and Jahn, the one overseeing all of the newcomers, was recognized for all her work by receiving a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

“She helps with everything,” said Krystina Tulchynska, one of the newcomers who moved to P.A. “From food and clothes, help with a place to live, a place to work, and trying to find new government programs.”

Tulchynska noted the main reason Jahn was so deserving was the work she did to build a community for all of the newcomers.

That community became even bigger in December. At this time, there are 36 families living in the city, however, there’s interest from another 31 families. They were persuaded to move to P.A. after attending a job fair in Regina.

“We’re the third largest city in the province. I think we have a lot to offer for these new families,” Jahn said.

As 2022 comes to a close, these families got the chance to celebrate St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 19, during a Christmas gathering. Over 100 people showed up, ate dinner, spent time with others, and got a chance to meet with community leaders.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow