When the war in Ukraine started to hit the headlines, the First Nation people at Curve Lake Christian Assembly took notice.
Pastor Ben Peltz noticed that his congregation was carefully paying attention to the events in eastern Europe and were noticeably empathetic.
The First Nation congregation seemed to be a special affection for the Ukrainians.
Then Shoshanna, Ben’s wife, noticed that blue and yellow scarf patterns for knitters were showing up both on Ukrainian and First Nation web sites.
What was this unexpected connection?
Through further conversation, Ben discovered that in the early 20th century, many Ukrainian Jewish settlers had immigrated to Canada due to the racist violence in their home country.
As new Canadians, they befriended their First Nation neighbours and were supportive allies for them.
There was a shared sense of history and oppression, which gave them a special affinity for each other.
The people in Ukraine can be sure that there’s a First Nation Canadian church near Peterborough, Ontario who faithfully prays for them every chance they’re together.