An instructor and young dancer with the Kamloops Sim'ya Ukrainian Dancers.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jason Beattie

Kamloops can expect to see Ukrainian dancers in colourful traditional wear at today's rally in support of Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The Sim’ya Ukrainian Society dancers are performing at a rally in Kamloops today, March 5, at 3 p.m. at the City Hall grounds, the first of what could be several performances at future rallies. 

“I am teaching some of the junior and senior dancers steps and choreography,” said senior dance instructor at the society, Michele Huston.

Huston has helped coordinate one rally so far, without dancers. Adding traditional Ukrainian dancers will bring something special to the demonstrations of support, hope and solidarity for Ukraine. The traditional Ukrainian dancing is more than just dance movements.

“The costumes and dances originate in different traditional regions of the Ukraine,” she said. “We do our own cross stitching and do our best to replicate the dress. We learn what colours come from what region and why. We learn where the music and instruments, like penny whistles and violins, come from.”

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Through the society the dancers learn about the language and culture of Ukraine, including ethnic foods.

Senior instructor Michele Huston (far left) with some of the dancers of the Kamloops Sim'ya Ukrainian Dancers.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jason Beattie

“It is about teaching the culture and keeping it alive,” Huston said. “A lot was lost to war, there have been times in history it has been unsafe to celebrate our culture.”

Tanya Hadym has been dancing with the society for years. She started dancing in Vancouver when she was three years of age. While she has not visited Ukraine herself yet, she credits her Ukrainian mom for keeping her connected to her culture.

“My mom told me stories about Ukraine,” Hadym said. “She taught me lots about the culture and some language. She got me into Ukrainian dancing young which has helped me understand my background.

“Costumes change depending the region they come from. In central Ukraine the women wear flower crowns and the boys wear Aladdin pants. Up in the mountainous regions they wear flat shoes and thicker materials. Each colour has a meaning too. There is a lot that goes into it.”

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Hadym said her original last name is Hydymowsky but her grandfather shortened it when he moved to Canada. It means “freedom fighter”.

“Names were often shortened to make them simpler,” she said. “Each name has a different meaning and history, and describes who your family and ancestors are.”

Hadym said dancing and participating at community rallies is the best way she knows how to share her culture with her community and help support those in the conflict in Ukraine.

“Doing the dancing tells everyone our culture is still moving forward,” she said. “We are still here trying to show our hope and strength. The Ukrainian people are strong and we are here giving them hope.”

READ MORE: 'I am not OK': Canadian Ukrainian in Kamloops in emotional pain as Russia invades homeland

Huston said she is considering doing flash mobs with her dancers in support of Ukraine but is planning carefully.

“We want to make sure not to bother people in the city,” she said. “It would have to be where we won’t interfere with traffic and stuff.”

The dancers are going to the B.C. Ukrainian Cultural Festival in Mission in May of this year, and working on cross stitching a quilt that will be raffled in a future fundraiser with funds going to support the effort in Ukraine.

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