Doll-Making Workshop to Support Local Ukrainian Refugees

NORTH BAY, ON – Nipissing University’s Extended Learning department invites members of the community to take part in a Ukrainian doll-making workshop at the NUSU Student Centre (221 College Drive, North Bay), on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. in support of two families who recently relocated to North Bay from Ukraine. The cost to attend this event is $15 per person.  

Maryna Bieliaieva and Olha Ivanchencko are Ukrainian refugees who are now living in North Bay and will guide attendees in making their very own Motanka, a traditional Ukrainian doll. These ancient Ukrainian talismans are a symbol of all-preserving femininity and are believed to protect against evil and represent prosperity, goodness, and hope. Maryna will walk through the process of assembling the Motanka doll while Olha translates.  

Before finding refuge in Canada, Maryna and her family lived in eastern and central Ukraine and were constantly battling the realities of war dating back to 2014. In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, she and her husband, Andrii, moved abroad with their children and pets to provide themselves with safety and a brighter future. They developed a friendship with Dr. Kristina Karvinen, Associate Professor in the Physical and Health Education department at Nipissing University, who helped the family plan their transition to Canada and opened her home once they arrived.  

When Extended Learning put a call out for Leisure Learning activities, Dr. Karvinen connected Maryna with the Extended Learning Manager to arrange the opportunity to host a one-hour workshop on creating traditional Ukrainian dolls. Extended Learning saw this as an opportunity to give back and turn the workshop into a fundraiser.  

“I want to continue to be creative in Canada and teach my skills to others while we build a new and safe life for my family,” shared Maryna.  

Olha, along with her daughter Milana were forced to make the impossible choice to flee their home in Kyiv, Ukraine with their dog and Mariia, Olha’s elderly mother. Through the Canadian Ukrainian Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) they obtained their visas and arrived in Toronto in April 2022 with plans to join Olha’s brother in Philadelphia, PA but were turned away at the U.S. border. It was then Olha and her family connected with Dr. Stephen Connor, Assistant Professor of History at Nipissing University, and his wife Anna who opened their home and with whom they became dear friends. 

“Thank you for opening your doors to us and standing up against hate and violence,” stated Olha.  

Since then, Olha has been grateful for the opportunity to participate and teach Nipissing University students about the traumas of colonialism, genocide and war. After the passing of her mother in August of 2022, Olha decided she would remain in Canada and start her life with her daughter in North Bay.  

To register for this workshop, donate or to read more about Maryna and Olha’s stories, visit https://www.nipissingu.ca/academics/extended-learning/fundraisers#Story.  

All proceeds from this event will be evenly divided between Maryna and Olha’s families as they continue to build their new lives in Canada. 

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Media Contact 

Carly Johnston 
Communications Officer 
Nipissing University 
(705) 474-3450 ext. 4035 
communications@nipissingu.ca