BONNYVILLE – On Friday afternoon, community members arrived at the Town of Bonnyville’s administrative building and filled the sidewalk around the square.
The Town’s council members chose to raise the Ukrainian flag in a show of support for the people of Ukraine.
Just after 1 p.m. on March 4, members of the public and the Bonnyville District Ukrainian Orthodox Church, along with first responders and elected officials from the Town and MD of Bonnyville, as well as officials from St. Paul, Cold Lake, Glendon and the region’s MLA David Hanson, gathered to express solidarity and hope for those impacted by the violence unfolding in eastern Europe.
“I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the country and people of Ukraine who are currently suffering,” said Town of Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau. “Being from a community that was, in part, established on the hard work and dedication of the Ukrainian people, it is incumbent of us to come together, to recognize them, and to stand in solidarity with them.”
She continued, “There are many first and second-generation Ukrainian citizens that live in and around the Town of Bonnyville, who are feeling first-hand the atrocities that are happening to their home country of Ukraine. We want to pray with you, and for you, and we are here for you in your great time of need.”
Small acts, such as raising a flag, are important gestures that signify the community stands with those impacted by the Russian invasion, said Father Peter Haugen, the district priest for the Bonnyville District Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
“It’s our show of love, support, and hope for all of those who are suffering today in the Ukraine,” Haugen said. “We have to keep our hope that our Ukrainian land can see freedom and the civilian casualties, and the casualties of our soldiers, will cease.”
The Ukrainian flag will remain raised at the Town Hall, alongside the provincial flag, the Canadian flag and Francophone flag, “until the conflict has ended,” according to a statement released by the Town of Bonnyville.
