A Family Gift: Honouring the Shared Heritage of Ukrainian and Indigenous Peoples
Tom, Joanne, Oksana, Lars, and Evan Kishchuk make family decisions for their JOTEL Family Fund at Saskatoon Community Foundation.
Tom Kishchuk’s and Joanne Hamlin’s adult kids are following in their parents’ philanthropic footsteps. The family of five established the JOTEL Family Fund in 2009 to direct their charitable giving through Saskatoon Community Foundation to benefit family, community, and environmental causes. They wanted to incorporate acts of gratitude into their family life and include all family members in decision making.
As guests at the 2022 Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Walk with the Wind Gala, Tom and Joanne were inspired by presentation that night by Jen Budney, CEO and Executive Director of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, that sparked their interest in the historical connections between Ukrainian immigrants and Indigenous peoples. Could their JOTEL Family Fund make a difference through a charitable gift that honoured the shared Ukrainian and Indigenous heritage in Canada?
Together, the Kishchuks decided to direct funds to build understanding of the early connections between Indigenous peoples and settlers from Ukraine, including the ways these peoples supported each other in difficult times. The funded research project is innovative and collaborative in every sense.
“The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is thrilled with the Kishchuk family’s gift from their JOTEL fund to help us with our important work exploring the relationships between Ukrainian settlers and Indigenous people in the prairies,” said Jen Budney.
“Some of the funds are being used to contract a Saulteaux researcher, Dawn Wasacase, to help us collect oral histories from mixed Ukrainian-Indigenous families, while a portion will also go to helping us mount an important collaborative exhibition in 2024 by Saskatchewan-born artist Sandra Semchuk and her late husband, the Cree artist James Nicholas.”
“As someone of Ukrainian descent, this (project) is meaningful to learn more about the…relationships between Ukrainian settlers and Indigenous peoples of Canada and how these past experiences can foster community support today,” explained Lars.
“For this work specifically, I hope it sheds light on new learnings about these relationships and inspires others to learn more and support their own communities,” said Oksana.
Over the last 14 years, the JOTEL Family Fund has supported many projects for children and youth such as an outdoor classroom, a playground, and LGBTQ mentorship; several environmental projects; and charities providing food security such as CHEP Good Food Inc., the Saskatoon Friendship Inn, and the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.
Evan wants their philanthropy to make a difference: “I hope our giving can help bring people together by celebrating the common ground that brings people together and differences that make us unique.”
As the Kishchuks discuss their charitable giving together, they try to arrive at a family consensus. Tom looks for charities that support communities that are suffering from the long term impacts of colonialism; Joanne is drawn to charities that help people become the best version of themselves, and causes that show others that someone cares; Oksana is inspired by causes that strengthen community, and help individuals support themselves; Lars wants to support charities that empower individuals to live fulfilling lives; and Evan believes in charities that bring people together.
Tom and Joanne believe that other families who want to make a difference in their community can find meaningful ways to benefit others and experience a greater sense of happiness and connection through giving.
Photo: submitted by the Kishchuk family.
