After a long journey, Ukrainians in Saskatchewan are close to final destinations. Globalnews.ca

an expected 900 displaced ukrainians Those who have come to Saskatchewan are taking the next step towards a proper settlement in Canada.

three day program organized by government of saskatchewanBrings together service providers from government, non-profits and banks University of Regina To build a “one-stop-shop” of essential items for Ukrainians.

“Were here. We are happy to help in any way we can,” said Chantal Patrick, a director of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine response team.

The provincial government has several times promised to support an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees as the war in Ukraine continues.

“An event like this is really important because making sure they have the support they need to successfully settle in Saskatchewan is one of our key goals.”

According to Patrick, more than 1,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Saskatchewan by some means, including about 230 people who arrived by charter flight on Monday.

He added that the provincial government “really hopes that they will choose to stay longer in our province and build a home here.”

Natalia and Ihor Osoba, Ukrainians who attended the event on Thursday, say they hope to do so after fleeing to Poland as soon as the war begins.

“Now that they are here they know that everything will be fine. They will get a job, they will get a home and their children will get school. They are very confident about it,” said a translator on Natalia’s behalf.

“They want to live in Saskatchewan, in Regina or Saskatoon, and make their living in Canada, and of course they can stay because they have parents and relatives here.”

Patrick said this week Ukrainians in Regina will finally settle, at least temporarily, in communities in Saskatchewan — often with family and friends.

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Some will go beyond Saskatchewan’s border.

After spending time in Poland and Germany, Olha Machuha is moving to Winnipeg to be with a family friend.

“I was really scared to go back,” she said of her decision to leave her hometown.

“Sometimes there were bombings in Lviv. There weren’t as many in other areas, but you never know, will that week a bomb hit the place you’re living in? ,

She said she decided to come to Canada on a charter flight because she speaks English. She hopes to find work in Winnipeg the same way she was doing in the fashion industry in Lviv.

“I worked at a luxury clothing boutique that had a website with images and marketing,” Machuha explained.

“I love my work with all my heart, because I love the Ukrainian language and fashion. But for now I think I’ll find something different.”

She said the new friends she made during her trip to Canada are helping her feel comfortable navigating her new life in Canada, but that her long-term plans are to return home.

“We are supporting each other. We are laughing together. We are taking care of each other and that helps a lot.”

“I love to think about living in Canada because everything seems so perfect. But I love Ukraine so much. I love my hometown. I love my family.”

Lyuba Krupina, a settlement coordinator for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Regina, said there are some who have arrived in Regina who do not have family or friends.

“It signals to me that I will be the main liaison with them, guiding and supporting them until they decide on a job and a place to live,” she said.

He said Ukrainians continued to arrive in the province daily, and he hoped another charter flight could be arranged to help the displaced find a home on the Prairies.

“I am not just dealing with people who have arrived here. I have clients in Ukraine and Europe. Every day they are coming,” she said.

“And hopefully another charter flight will be organized by the Government of Saskatchewan.”

Krupina said that more organizations offered their support at the event than the university actually had in place, and called their efforts “amazing”.