Regina-bound, not bound to Regina: New arrivals from Ukraine to branch out across Sask.

A third flight scheduled to arrive in Regina bringing more newcomers from Ukraine has the Ukrainian Canadian Congress preparing for the new arrivals and reflecting on those who have been welcomed so far.

For UCC executive director Danylo Puderak, it’s exciting to be bringing another 200 displaced Ukrainians to Saskatchewan for refuge. But that feeling is also tinged with dismay.

“It’s sad that it’s still necessary to be doing this,” Puderak said.

Those who arrived on the previous two chartered flights from Ukraine to Saskatchewan have been grateful for the warm welcomes they’ve received on arrival.

They “are finding a very welcoming community and are gradually integrating themselves into Saskatchewan society,” Puderak said.

That has been an overriding feeling for people arriving here since the spring.

“(They have) a sense of being overwhelmed with the welcome and the generosity they are experiencing from the people here in Saskatchewan,” said Puderak, referring to the donations people have provided as well as opening their homes to the new arrivals.

Puderak said it is not uncommon for him to bump into friends and people involved in the Ukrainian community who say new arrivals to the province have seamlessly become part of their own families, sharing meals and time together regularly.

“They’re really integrating and becoming part of our communities, which is so amazing to hear,” Puderak said.

The UCC, he said, is pleased to be supporting this latest flight alongside the Saskatchewan government to help with the initial settlement needs of those arriving for the first time in the province.

That includes arranging for interpreters and providing assistance for newcomers registering for services and programs that are necessary once they touch down.

Puderak said the UCC has a full contingent of staff available to connect people on the latest flight to the services they need and to provide an orientation to Saskatchewan life.

And while the flights might be landing in Regina, many newcomers are looking elsewhere in the province to settle.

That has been one of the biggest takeaways from the two previous flights to land in Saskatchewan, Puderak explained. He said many people coming to Saskatchewan from Ukraine have not set a final destination for themselves.

“They wanted to get onto the flight to come to Saskatchewan and see … what the province had to offer,” he said.

Many do have a plan in place, however: They want to look for work opportunities, ideally in areas in which they have experience or training. They also want to settle into a new home and “bring some normalcy back to their lives,” Puderak said.

He said it was a surprise for the UCC to find out people were arriving with such open minds about where they would ultimately settle in the province, but he noted that having so many eager and welcoming employers and communities across Saskatchewan has offered immense support for those arriving here.

Estevan, Prince Albert, Yorkton and Saskatoon are just some of the places Ukrainians new to the province have opted to travel to and call home.

Beyond their initial settling, Puderak said people from previous flights are starting to connect socially and find ways to support each other. They’re visiting drop-in places like Baba’s Closet in Saskatoon, the Regina drop-in and Sophie’s Closet in Prince Albert to receive household supplies to start setting up their homes.

Newcomers are also stopping by UCC offices in Regina and Saskatoon to get more information, particularly to help get their children involved in activities after they’ve been enrolled in school.

“They want to find ways for them to also get involved in the community and make friends,” Puderak said.