Through trauma-informed oral history recordings, a traveling exhibit, and a bilingual children’s graphic memoir, the project shares diverse experiences of individuals who have fled war, pursued education, sought health care, or reunited with family. These narratives showcase resilience, loss, unexpected careers, and hobbies such as cooking, singing, sports, and art, fostering empathy and connection within the community as they build their new home in Minnesota.
Thanks to the generous funding of the Minnesota Humanities Center and the partnership with the Ukrainian American Community Center and Alight, Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota captures the stories of 22 Ukrainian immigrants, ages 15 to 70, from diverse regions of Ukraine. Among them, 19 arrived in the U.S. within the past three years, while three have been in Minnesota since before 2016 and now support newcomers. Through oral history recordings, a traveling exhibit, and a bilingual illustrated graphic memoir, the project provides a platform for these individuals, 15 women and 7 men, to share their experiences of displacement, resilience, and rebuilding their lives in Minnesota.
Many of these newcomers face significant challenges, including isolation, cultural adjustment, and misconceptions about their identities and experiences. Storytelling offers them a way to share their journeys in their own words, fostering deeper connections with their new neighbors and ensuring they are seen as individuals rather than statistics. Each Ukrainian immigrant carries a unique story shaped by personal circumstances, regional history, and the complex realities of leaving their homeland.
The Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota project ensures that these voices are not only heard but also preserved as part of Minnesota’s rich immigrant history. The twenty oral history recordings, shared through a digital archive and traveling exhibit, serve as an artistic and educational resource for all Minnesotans, deepening understanding, breaking down barriers, and highlighting the vital contributions of Ukrainian immigrants. Working with the “speed of trust,” Green Card Voices and its partners have collaborated closely with the Ukrainian community to ensure authentic representation and a lasting impact.
The bilingual graphic memoir, created by a Ukrainian storyteller and illustrated by a Ukrainian artist, extends this impact by providing an accessible and engaging way for students and the broader community to connect with the immigrant experience. By amplifying these voices, Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota continues the state’s legacy of welcoming and celebrating immigrants, reinforcing the shared humanity that unites all communities.
The storytellers of Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota come from diverse regions across Ukraine, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by their personal journeys of displacement and resettlement. Ranging in age from 15 to 70, they represent communities from the capital city of Kyiv to the western regions of Lviv and Ternopil, as well as areas heavily impacted by war, including Mariupol, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy. Some fled occupied territories, such as Melitopol and Druzhkivka, while others came from cities relentlessly bombed or threatened daily. One storyteller was born in Azerbaijan, highlighting the multilayered migration experiences within the Ukrainian community.
Of the 22 participants, 19 arrived in the U.S. within the last three years, navigating the challenges of starting over in Minnesota while carrying the weight of war and loss. Three had settled in Minnesota before 2016 and now work to support and guide newcomers. Through this project, they share not only their struggles, adapting to a new culture, overcoming isolation, and countering misconceptions, but also their hopes, resilience, and contributions to their new home.
With a trauma-informed, community-driven approach, Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota was made possible through the collaboration of Alight US and the Ukrainian American Community Center (UACC)—two organizations dedicated to supporting and empowering Ukrainian newcomers in Minnesota.
Alight US is a Minnesota-based humanitarian organization dedicated to helping displaced people rebuild meaningful lives. Originally focused on supporting Afghan refugees, Alight expanded its efforts in 2022 to assist Ukrainians through programs like Uniting for Ukraine and U4UJobs, providing guidance, resources, and support for their resettlement in the U.S.
Ukrainian American Community Center (UACC) has been a cornerstone of the Ukrainian community in Minnesota since 1964. Initially founded by Ukrainian immigrants in Northeast Minneapolis, UACC now provides cultural programming, social services, and humanitarian aid. Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, it has played a critical role in supporting newly arrived Ukrainian refugees and preserving Ukrainian heritage.
The Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota exhibit is a collaborative community project presented by Green Card Voices, the Ukrainian American Community Center, and Alight, made possible through funding from the Minnesota Humanities Center. This initiative highlights the personal narratives of 22 Ukrainian newcomers and immigrants to Minnesota, ranging in age from 15 to 70.
Through trauma-informed oral history recordings, a traveling exhibit, and a bilingual children’s graphic memoir, the project shares diverse experiences of individuals who have fled war, pursued education, sought health care, or reunited with family. These narratives showcase resilience, loss, unexpected careers, and hobbies such as cooking, singing, sports, and art, fostering empathy and connection within the community as they build their new home in Minnesota.
