Canada has long been a welcoming oasis for newcomers who’ve left behind dangerous conditions or difficult lives overseas in search of something better. Portage la Prairie, in particular, has been home to many Ukrainians for decades, and the ongoing war caused by Russia’s invasion has brought even more to the area.
Iryna Braun, herself a Ukrainian who came to Canada a few years ago, has become an active part of the community. She now finds herself meeting fellow Ukrainians who only recently arrived.
"Canada is full of immigrants, people who once in their lifetime decided that they want to have something different, have to change their life, and it was their decision they applied to come to Canada for work, for personal reason, for whatever else. But in this situation of some Ukrainians, it's totally different. It was not their decision. It was forced circumstances that are not depending on their decision. That's why they so much deserve some attention and understanding."
Braun says the Portage community was incredibly welcoming when they first arrived in Canada, providing much-needed assistance, support and kindness. She says everyone in Portage made them feel at home.
"That was very nice and very much appreciated. Now I am noticing the trend in Portage that some members of the Ukrainian community are here and -- vice versa -- becoming very useful for Portage itself as a city. They are fulfilling some segments that have been open in our local business situation and our small town economics. And it is very nice to see some people starting something, and that something being successful or promising to be successful."
She points to the Ukrainian church’s monthly pierogi sale as a great example of cultural connection and community support.
"With a couple of dollars that Portagers would pay for a dozen, they support the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian Church. The Ukrainian church and Ukrainian volunteers who are making Perogies have been offering them a tasty homemade meal for years in Portage, and this is a well-stable tradition that I hope will continue forever, as long as we are here."
Braun shares the story of Inna Krupko, a clothes designer who owned her own business in Ukraine before war uprooted her life.
"Her story began as a clothes designer. She started her idea that she can be creative with threads and needles back in Ukraine. Then she had her own business there. But when the war started, she had to quit everything and relocate to Europe one year. She was working as a famous designer in Czech Republic, but then she realized that it was still too close to the situation where the war was happening and moved with her family to Canada now doing her regular job, she is trying to start her own business offering design custom-tailored dresses for ladies."
Now living in Portage, Krupko works as a cashier at a local supermarket — a familiar face to many — while pursuing her passion after hours by offering custom dress designs.
"So, many people know her face, for sure. But the part after work, that's what she's doing and doing very successfully. Lots of people are her customers and are very satisfied that they contacted her to have something special from her."
Another similar story involves Yulia Klymets, who had to abandon her home-based beauty salon in Ukraine and start again in Canada.
"The war forced people to stop everything they have been building and working for many years. A lady had a beauty salon at home. She is now working as a nail artist and permanent makeup artist at one of the local beauty salons, and she likes doing work at a private salon at her house, hoping to provide services personally. War forced her to sell everything that she had in her private business in Ukraine, and now she has to start everything from scratch again."
Braun says another newcomer is now working to launch a small pastry and cake business from home.
"We have some that chain stores locally but you can only choose from what they have. If we have something very local and very private, we could order and the owner of the bakery would be more open to satisfy personal needs of everyone."
One such baker is Olga Mudrovska, an artist by education whose cake decorating is, quite literally, a work of art.
"So much decoration. She puts all her talent of being an artist into her bakery. She also has a Facebook profile demonstrating all her masterpieces. I was lucky to have a chance to taste them. It's something that would be nice if this hobby -- something she's doing at home right now -- would be available to everyone in Portage. I believe that she will take more steps into that into developing her hobby to something more open and more available to others."
Finally, Braun shares the story of Tatiana Dolynska, a former salon owner from Poltava.
"All these stories are very, very similar. These ladies had private businesses in Ukraine, and one day, it all stopped. Tatiana Dolynska had a beauty salon in Poltava. Poltava is right at the border with Russia. It's not a frontline. Hopefully, it will never be a frontline, but it's also not a very safe place to be. She sold the business and came to Canada, and because she has a teaching education, she's now working as an Educational Assistant at school. But also, she is working part-time as a hairdresser and a makeup artist trying to make people feel more beautiful."
Each of these four women had to close their businesses in Ukraine and begin again in a new country, with help from the welcoming Portage community.
"I believe that it will be their own businesses and another successful chapter in their lives. All four of them moved because of war, but three had private businesses that they were forced to sell or to close."
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Yulia Klymets
I am Yulia Klymets. I came to Canada 2 years ago with the hope of starting a new life in a safe city and building a future for myself and my child. Before moving, I sold my beauty salon and left with the plan to start a business in Canada.
Currently, I work as a nail technician and permanent makeup artist at Coco Nail. But in April, I plan to start my own home business and work independently. I dream of showing local residents the highest service and professional work.
In my cozy little house you can get a service for your nails. Manicure, extensions nails and spa pedicure on a massage chair. I have chosen the best materials for clients and always take care of the best disinfection. I hope to get support and clients at the beginning of my little business.
Thank you to everyone who supports me and believes in my beginnings.
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Olga Mudruvska
Sweet magic in the kitchen: my hobby that brings me happiness
Baking for me is not just a process, but a real art that fills the house with the aromas of vanilla, caramel, and warm dough. From an early age, I was fascinated by sweet pastries and cakes, and although I never studied it professionally, I improved my skills on my own, experimenting with recipes and flavors.
Every cake, pie, or cookie is not just a delicacy, but a piece of soul put into every hand movement. I especially love cooking for my family: watching them look forward to trying something new and seeing the happy smiles on their faces.
Birthdays, family holidays, special moments - I am always happy to make them even sweeter. It's not just a hobby, it's a true love that gives me inspiration and the opportunity to create small culinary miracles.
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Tatiana Dolynska
Tatiana Dolynska. I am a hairdresser, make-up artist, wedding stylist. For 15 years, I have been creating exquisite women's looks and discovering the true natural beauty of women, creating a mood in wedding looks and holiday evenings.
I studied and developed as a hairdresser in Ukraine, participated in the championships of Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Two-time prize-winner of Ukraine in the "Wedding hairstyle and make-up" competition. I have numerous certificates. I successfully opened a Beauty Studio in Poltava, but the war forced me to start life all over again here in Portage. I love my job, which I successfully combine with work at school, working with children as EA.
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Inna Krupko
My name is Inna, and I am a Ukrainian designer, seamstress, and dreamer. Like many others, my life changed dramatically with the events in Ukraine. I had to leave behind my home, my business, and the life I had carefully built. Moving to Canada was not just a change of location—it was a complete restart. And this is my story.
A Passion That Found Me
I never planned to be a designer. My background is in economics, and for years, I worked in an office, following a structured, predictable routine. But after my son was born, something shifted in me. I realized I wanted more—something creative, something that truly excited me.
One day, I saw an advertisement for a sewing school and, on a whim, decided to give it a try. That decision changed everything. What started as a simple curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion. I couldn’t stop—I completed three sewing courses in a row and found myself completely immersed in the craft.
Building a Business, Then Starting Over
My first business, Innusyna Skrynia, was a small but thriving workshop where I designed children’s clothing, newborn apparel, and home textiles. Over time, I expanded into creating family looks—matching outfits for moms, dads, and kids. One of my most cherished moments was designing a full set for my own family. It became an instant success, leading to custom orders from other families.
But life had different plans. When the war began, I had to put everything on hold. Leaving my business behind was heartbreaking, but I knew that no matter where I ended up, my passion for sewing would follow me.
A Life-Changing Experience in Prague
Before coming to Canada, I spent a year in Prague, a time of deep reflection and growth. During my time there, I worked closely with one designer, refining my skills and learning new techniques. I immersed myself in high fashion, working with luxurious fabrics and studying the intricate details of couture. This experience opened my eyes to a new world of creativity, where clothing became more than just fabric—it became an expression of art and personality.
A New Chapter in Canada
After spending a year in Europe, gaining experience and refining my skills in Prague’s fashion scene, I arrived in Canada, ready to start again. This time, I knew it wouldn’t be easy—I was in a new country, a new market, and I had to build everything from the ground up.
Now, I am working on establishing my atelier, specializing in custom tailoring—creating elegant dresses, structured suits, and intricate corsets. Each piece I make carries a story, blending my Ukrainian roots with modern, sophisticated designs. One of my newest projects involves designing corsets inspired by Ukrainian culture, combining tradition with contemporary elegance.
Sewing More Than Just Clothes
For me, sewing is not just about fabric and stitches—it’s about confidence, individuality, and emotion. Every dress I create is a reflection of the person wearing it. Seeing a client light up when they put on a piece I’ve made is the most rewarding feeling.
Starting over in a new country is a challenge, but I believe that with passion and determination, anything is possible. Canada is now my new home, and I am excited to share my craft, my vision, and my love for design with the world.
This is just the beginning.