A unique gathering took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish of the Most Holy Trinity in Kamloops, British Columbia (Canada). Former Chief of the Canadian First Nation “Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc” and current Chief Commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, Manny (Clarence T.) Jules, visited the community to express support for the Ukrainian people in this difficult time.
The Diocese of New Westminster 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 parishioners for lunch and then spoke to them about the formulation of the Sacred Covenant between the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the Diocese of Kamloops, and the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation. Manny Jules was instrumental in the formation and signing of this Covenant/Agreement, which took place in 2024.
The Chief Commissioner also shared the amazing story of how two First Nations leaders traveled to the Vatican and Europe with the renowned Oblate missionary priest and great friend of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Father Jean-Marie Le Jeune. The two indigenous leaders were Chief Johnny Chillihitsa and Chief Louis Kleksliksen, and they shared their extraordinary experiences of the 1904 journey in a diary. This account is published in the English-language book Chinook, available online. Chief Manny presented Bishop Mykhailo and the local parish priest, Father Andriy Vasylenko, with signed copies for their respective communities.
The guest also presented the local Ukrainian community with a special gift that he had made himself: a Native American hand drum decorated with the popular Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow, depicting two hands reaching out in unity. This drum will be framed and displayed in the parish church.
After the keynote address, Chief Manny and several parishioners shared several stories about how the early Ukrainian settlers and the First Peoples of Canada respected each other and helped each other in difficult times.
Text and photo:
Department of Information of the UGCC
