La Ronge council decided to raise the Ukrainian flag to show support to the war-torn European country. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

solidarity

Ukraine flag raised in La Ronge’s Patterson Park

Mar 10, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The Town of La Ronge is standing in solidarity with Ukraine.

“There’s been no negativity to it, and I can’t see why anyone would be against democracy,” La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratuskniak said of the municipality raising the Ukrainian national flag in Patterson Park. “It just went up yesterday. This has been something residents have been reaching out to myself and various council members asking what we are doing to put a stance towards the atrocities that are happening between Russia and Ukraine.”

Although the regular town meeting scheduled for March 8 was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, the issue was still brought forward to council members who Ratushniak noted were all in favour of raising the Ukrainian flag. He added time was of the essence and raising the flag is the least the town can do to show support.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24 and, as of March 10, the United Nations estimates there are more than 2.3 million refugees and nearly 160,000 internally displaced persons. Thousands of soldiers from both countries have been killed.

Western countries have increasingly placed sanctions on Russia and many multinational corporations are ending operations.

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“It’s a really, really sad state over in Ukraine right now,” Ratushniak said. “It’s horrible. I think it is easy for us as Canadians to sit back from the comfort of our homes and try to support the Ukrainian people, but I can’t even imagine what it’s like going through a war-torn time where democracy is really at stake.”

Ratushniak mentioned he is a third-generation Canadian, but that his last name is of Ukrainian origin. He said he doesn’t know any family members currently living in that country, but it’s important for Canadians to remember where their roots began and show support, particularly against war crimes.

“Canadians are from all walks of life,” Ratushniak said. “I feel we are almost all immigrants aside from our First Nations that were here years and years ago, and that’s what makes Canada so great.”

Read more here about the tri-community’s connection to Ukraine.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno