It’s no question that Norwegian and German heritage get a lot of attention in North Dakota. But, there is a small building on the west side of Villard Avenue in Dickinson that packs a powerful punch when it comes to European heritage in North Dakota.

Here you’ll find the Ukrainian Cultural Institute, which houses the history, the good will and of course, the culture, of the Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants who landed in western North Dakota.
Native dress, wheat fields, ethnic food, the North Dakota Ukrainian Hall of Fame, how religion tied into the settlers, traditional furniture and art; let’s not forget art, especially those special Easter eggs; are all on display here that includes a small gift shop.

There is one particular “artifact,” however, that is catching a lot of attention and it has to do with the war that is currently happening in the old country.

A military flag from the Ukrainian Third Separate Assault Brigade is currently on display, autographed by Ukrainian Soldier Yurry Shyshuck, who is currently serving on the front lines near Kharkiv, a community that has been pounded by Russian aggression.

Inscribed on the lower right of the flag, and written in Ukrainian, is “To actors from Les Kurbal Theater” from Yurry Shyshuck. Since the invasion in February 2022, that particular theater has been used as a shelter for displaced people.
The flag found it’s way to Dickinson in a way that many of us who embrace cultural heritage will understand.
Ihor and Iha Kuchynsskky came to visit their daughter Ilona who has lived in Canada since 2022. They also came to visit Carol and Bill Kulish and together, they paid a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute in Dickinson June 23 and 24.
The special flag was then presented to the institute by Bill Kulish who was representing Shyshuck, his nephew.

Ihor Kuchynsskky also presented a booklet from the Les Kubas Theater from 1988 with the inscription, “Warmest regards and best wishes to UCI community and members in Dickinson and North Dakota. Glory to Ukraine, Glory to Heroes!”
The people at the institute are very proud of this flag that came from the front lines, not only because it came to Dickinson, straight from a war zone, but despite all the chaos going on in eastern Ukraine, Shyshuck took the time to think about people he has a special bond with in western North Dakota.

If you are not familiar with Ukrainian heritage in North Dakota, a large number of immigrants from Ukraine settled in southwest North Dakota, more specifically in Dickinson, Belfield, Fairfield, New England and the rural areas around these communities.

We don’t often see it in other parts of the state, but there is a strong spiritual and heritage connection to the old country, just like with Scandinavian heritage at the the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, or Sauerkraut Day in Wishek that showcases German heritage, or August the Deuce in Mountain that keeps Icelandic heritage alive in North Dakota.
There are a number of events the institute puts on annually showing the Dickinson region how important Ukrainian heritage is to North Dakota. There are numerous workshops and meals throughout the year showcasing the best of Ukraine. The events include a booth at Pride of Dakota showcases in Dickinson and Bismarck.

For more information about Ukrainian heritage in North Dakota, visit (ucitoday.org) or UCI’s Facebook page for dates, places and details of events that welcomes bus tours.

Inscribed on a brochure that details the library, gallery, museum, chapel and gift shop are the words, “May the people of America never forget what we owe the immigrants.”
Slava Ukraini!