MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s Ukrainian diaspora is looking for support from the community — particularly from businesses — to help establish a restaurant where they can eat ethnic food and socialize at a central hub.
Christy Schweiger, co-ordinator of the recently posted a message online saying she was looking to help Ukrainian entrepreneurs open a restaurant and wondered if anyone had a space to rent.
Her comment received 83 likes, while 108 people left comments.
Schweiger told the Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com that a Ukrainian family in Manitoba sent her a message on Facebook inquiring about opening an ethnic restaurant here, which prompted her to post a query online seeking input from the community.
“There are several locations that I have presented to the newcomer family that is inquiring about moving to Moose Jaw, but so far, we haven’t heard anymore,” she said. “I messaged them and they said … they’re going to be busy over the Christmas season, so they’re going to investigate that in the new year.
“So, cross our fingers that they consider Moose Jaw as a possibility to move to … . They want to start small and find something that would work.”
Many Ukrainian immigrants also dream of opening a cultural restaurant in Moose Jaw, but they lack the money, resources or sponsors to pursue that objective, said Schweiger. Many newcomers are pastry chefs or enjoy cooking, but “they need a kick-start” to launch a business.
The Facebook page co-ordinator said there are no Ukrainian restaurants in The Friendly City, which is odd considering the community has a long history of Ukrainians living here — especially on 麻豆视频 Hill, which was dubbed “garlic hill” because that was the food people ate regularly.
“And we don’t have a place for Ukrainian newcomers — or oldcomers — to gather and meet,” she said, whereas Regina and Saskatoon both have well-established Ukrainian communities. “Everybody’s so busy that they don’t get a chance to meet and see who’s in the community.”
Schweiger suggested that if residents have ideas about where Ukrainian immigrants could meet to socialize or host activities, they should contact her. She noted that some residents donated money previously so the local diaspora could rent a space for Christmas get-togethers.
Schweiger was unable to say how many Ukrainian immigrants had come here during the past two years, but she knew most of them since she had supported their settlement.
“I’ve noticed in the past six months (that) there’s family members coming and living with some of the people who just arrived here a year ago,” she said.
The education co-ordinator at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery (MJMAG) knows of a family who recently welcomed a set of parents, while she has been working to bring immigrants from other provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba. She believes Saskatchewan offers better opportunities and a lower cost of living.
However, fewer Ukrainians are coming from Europe because the Canadian government has cut funding for a program that welcomed them on an emergency basis, she continued. This means a newcomer must now rely on family and friends for support upon arrival.
Schweiger has also heard that Ottawa may make more changes in April, where it may issue fewer work permits and educational opportunities. This may also change how immigrant organizations support newcomers.
“A lot of these people coming here, they realize the war is not going to end and they want better opportunities for their kids,” she said. “So they want to stay here, and they don’t want to go back, even though they miss their families … . The older folks in Ukraine won’t come here because it’s too difficult to adjust.”
To offer support, contact Christy Schweiger through the
