In a recent LinkedIn post, veteran Dragon Arlene Dickinson shares a deeply personal reflection on a linguistic misstep and the profound lessons learned from her experiences, particularly her visits to Ukraine and her encounter with a Ukrainian business founded by refugees.
Dickinson recounts a moment where, while expressing empathy to the founders of DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, she used the phrase “the Ukraine.” This seemingly small grammatical error, she explains, carries significant historical and political weight for Ukrainians, stemming from Soviet-era language that denied their nation’s sovereignty.
“I have been fortunate to visit our troops many times overseas. On one of the trips we travelled to Ukraine to visit our Canadian troops who were stationed there. While I was there, I had the chance to also meet Ukrainian soldiers and hear their stories about what they’re facing. I came back deeply moved by their courage and resolve.”
The post details Dickinson’s emotional connection to Ukraine, forged during her visits to troops stationed there and her subsequent meeting with the co-founders of DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, Janice Krissa and Jorgia Moore. This business, which started as a donation center and evolved into a restaurant and food product company, is staffed entirely by women who fled the war. Dickinson saw in their venture a powerful embodiment of the resilience and determination she witnessed firsthand.
The Weight of Words and National Identity
Dickinson emphasizes the critical importance of language and how even seemingly minor linguistic habits can cause pain and misunderstanding. She highlights that referring to Ukraine as “the Ukraine” is deeply offensive to its people, as it positions the nation as a region rather than an independent sovereign state.
“And in that moment, while trying to convey to them my empathy, given what I’d seen in Ukraine, I said “the Ukraine.” I didn’t catch or think about my words. But to Ukrainians, that phrase is extremely painful. Adding “the” treats Ukraine as a region rather than a sovereign nation. It’s a holdover from Soviet-era language that denies their independence.”
As Arlene Dickinson notes, the women from DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, who had personally experienced the horrors of war and displacement, were gracious despite the sting of her mistake. Dickinson expresses profound gratitude for their grace and for the thoughtful note they sent, which helped her understand the deep significance of this linguistic distinction.
Learning and Moving Forward
The Dragons’ Den appearance, where the co-founders brought several Ukrainian women employees to share their stories, was an emotionally charged event. Dickinson admits that despite her intentions and her prior experiences in Ukraine, her ingrained language habits led her to err.
“Language really matters. I know this. Small words carry such weight that we don’t always see. Even when our hearts are in the right place, old habits can undermine what we’re trying to say.”
Arlene Dickinson uses her experience as a teaching moment for others who may share the habit of saying “the Ukraine.” She urges a conscious shift to simply “Ukraine,” framing this change as a vital gesture of respect for a nation and its people who have endured immense hardship. According to Dickinson, this small alteration signals a significant acknowledgment of their sovereignty and earned dignity.
Dickinson concludes her post with a clear statement of solidarity: “I stand with Ukraine.🇺🇦” Her reflection underscores a broader theme of learning, empathy, and the continuous effort required to show respect for national identity, especially in the face of profound adversity.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Arlene Dickinson on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 28, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →