2006 1(19) - UCWLC

Мій дідо, на честь кого я була названа, приїхав до Канади в 1948 році з дружиною і дочкою. В тихчасах Україна була під окупацією Москви. В Канаді українські іммігранти були названі депістами— і недолюблювані. В таких обставинах легко соромитися і відректися української мови і культури.І багато піддалися — змінили прізвища, втратили українську мову, і згубили їхній спадок. Але багатовтрималися культури, розмовляли і писали українською мовою. Через них ми маємо в Канаді міцнуукраїнську громаду.Daniella MurynkaFor Who I Am, I Thank YouBEING UKRAINIAN IS NEVER FAR FROM MY ATTENTION. Whether it’s rushing to get toTuesday night dance lessons on time; or mother’s insistence that she just doesn’t hearunless I speak Ukrainian, or the butchering of my last name by every telemarketer—my culture is looking me right in the face. Although I complain about the longwindednessof Sunday morning mass, and the loss of many, many of my Saturday afternoonsto Plast meetings, I know that without a strong sense of cultural awareness within myfamily, my life would be very different. Because, family is the key institution in whichto teach culture. Family, and community. And I’m lucky enough to be able torecognize that my parents’ and grandparents’ and community’s persistent efforts—while not always fully appreciated—are nonetheless imperative to who I am.Growing up in a family that is not only Ukrainian, butalso strongly involved in our community and practisesUkrainian traditions, has shown me the importance ofmaintaining identity, values, and morals for the entiretyof one’s life: I want to celebrate Ukrainian Christmas; Iwant to learn how to make borshch; and send my kids toUkrainian school. It’s because I grew up like that.I am firsthand proof of what happens when you raiseyour kids Ukrainian. It has given me many talents andaspirations that are intertwined in every aspect of mylife. Every time I realize I have an upper hand oversomeone because I am bilingual, or because I am awriter, or because I am determined or religious, or dedicated—Irealize that it is directly related to where I comefrom and who I belong to. I have friends from many differentcultures, but I’m the only one who can say anythingabout school, camps, meetings, dance and churchdedicated entirely to my Ukrainian culture.Even without dance lessons, every Ukrainian knowshow to polka. I remember dad teaching me, in his regalway at Malanka years ago, proper timing. Dance is anintegral part of our culture, and is probably the mostrecognized professional ethnic dance form in Canada. Idance with a group in Calgary called Yalenka, and whilewe may not be the most professional group, we put on agreat show. Our last concert was the highly acclaimedWizard of Oz where I danced the evil gypsy of the West,and the year before we did Snow White and the SevenTranscarpathians. I think that dressing up in a traditionalcostume and learning traditional steps, and having it bea huge, world recognized dance form is outstanding.Ukrainian dancing, in its Canadianized sense, isabout technique and perfection. What do we strive for atcompetitions but to have our footwork just-so? However,in Ukraine, taking lessons from a brush-mustachedman in his 50s, I learned that more important than techniqueis performance. No one could accuse this man ofnot pointing his toes. More importantly, however, youcouldn’t take your eyes off him! And as he struggled totell the three-quarters of us who weren’t fluent inUkrainian, “treba tantsiuvaty z lytsem”, I realized thatUkrainian dancing is more about character than footwork.It’s important to have pride in the steps, but moreimportant to understand what it is you’re dancing.Ukrainian dancing is more aboutcharacter than footwork.It’s important to have pridein the steps, but moreimportant to understandwhat it is you’re dancing.Nasha Doroha ! Anthology: Experiences of Ukrainian Women in Canada ! winter/2006 33