Canadian Indigenous Leaders Show Solidarity with Ukrainians in Kamloops
A unique meeting took place at the Ukrainian Catholic parish of the Holy Trinity in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Former Chief of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and current Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, Manny (Clarence T.) Jules, visited the community to to show solidarity with Ukrainians during their time of hardship.
The New Westminster Eparchy reported this on social media.
On March 30, the fourth Sunday of Lent, which coincided with the visit of Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, Commissioner Jules and his team joined the parishioners for lunch and then spoke to them about the wording of the Holy Covenant between the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the Diocese of Kamloops and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation. Manny Jules played a key role in drafting and signing this Covenant/Agreement, which took place in 2024.
The Chief Commissioner also shared a fascinating story about two First Nations leaders who traveled to the Vatican and Europe with the famous Oblate missionary priest and great friend of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Father Jean-Marie LeJeune. Chief Johnny Chillicheetza and Chief Louis Clekslixqen recorded their extraordinary 1904 journey in a diary. Their account is published in the book Chinook, which is available online. Chief Manny presented Bishop Michael and the town’s parish priest, Andrzej Wasylinko, with signed copies for their respective communities.
The guest also gifted the local Ukrainian community a handmade Indian hand drum, decorated in Ukraine’s national colors of blue and yellow, featuring an image of two hands reaching out in friendship. The drum will be framed and displayed in the parish church.
After the keynote speech, Chief Manny and several parishioners shared stories of how the first Ukrainian settlers and Canada’s First Nations supported and respected one another in times of hardship.
