From Snowstorms to Solidarity: My Experience of Community Resilience in Saskatoon
It’s our third winter in Saskatoon and we don’t yet have a snow blower. But what we have here is far more precious — community strength
This is not our first winter in Saskatoon; it’s the third, in fact, but the first time living in an independent house, and not a managed condo. We moved in only a few months ago, and while we have a bunch of shovels in the garage, a snow blower is yet to find a place among our tools. It was on our to-buy list, but the unusually mild weather over December and January had made us complacent.
Little did we know that nature had its own plans!
Last weekend, a severe snowstorm swept through Saskatoon, dumping a record-breaking amount of snow in two days.
Waking up on Sunday, we were greeted by a scene straight out of a winter wonderland postcard — over two feet of snow covering everything outside. Looking at the pile at our doorstep, the necessity of a snow blower became painfully apparent, especially as we watched our neighbors clearing their walkways quite effortlessly.
We knew had no choice but to go out and shovel the snow before it became too much. However, the blizzard only continued to intensify, almost mocking our lack of preparation.
As the day progressed and we continued to ruminate, the blizzard showed no mercy, growing stronger with each passing hour. Sitting there, alarmed at the mounting snow outside, my sister-in-law’s call interrupted our thoughts.
To my surprise, upon opening the door, I discovered my little niece had taken matters into her own hands. Literally! She had practically burrowed through the snow on the walkway and cleared up the pile in front of our door that had reached almost four feet by then — all by hand!
It was both amusing and impressive.
How could anyone stay cooped up at home in the face of such determined effort?
We quickly bundled up in layers, with scarves wrapped around our faces and hats braving the biting cold wind. We joined the kiddo and her father, and other fellow shovel-wielding warriors outside, ready to tackle the challenge together.
The snowfall showed no signs of yielding, but neither did our determination. With each shovel push, we dug into the powdery snow, creating a path to freedom.
Some kind soul had already cleared the sidewalk in front of our house. We still don’t know who it was!
Public transportation had come to a halt, and my husband was to fetch our kid who was stuck at a friend’s place. Wrestling with the snow on the driveway, he successfully maneuvered the SUV out, but it got stuck on the road. Fortunately, a kind passerby in a truck stopped to lend a hand — or, more accurately, a shoulder. Hubby had no other option but to roll the vehicle back into the garage!
Our kid had to resort to an Uber ride back home, facing several detours due to blocked roads. The vehicle got stuck three times, but each time, kind strangers pitched in to help push it back on track.
The following day, my colleague shared a similar story of helping a stranded Uber driver. He had to dig out the wheels of the Honda Accord and ingeniously used a spare tire between its bumper and his truck to give it a push and get it moving.
These aren’t just isolated stories but much like the countless tales flooding online groups, echoing the resilience and unity that define our city. What we lacked in resources, we made up for in shared determination to ensure the safety and accessibility of our neighborhoods.
Facebook posts ranged from calls for assistance to expressions of gratitude for the unsung heroes who took it upon themselves to clear sidewalks, driveways, and even transit stops. Pictures captured the tireless individuals, faces hidden behind scarves, engaged in a collective battle against the relentless snowfall, some with just a shovel or a simple handcart. Comment sections had transformed into virtual town halls where advice on efficient snow removal techniques, offers of assistance, and words of encouragement flowed freely.
The howling wind couldn’t drown out the camaraderie that echoed through the air. The frosty temperatures couldn’t chill the warmth of their shared purpose.
As I scrolled through the Facebook posts, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sense of solidarity that came from each comment, emoji, and shared photo. It became evident that the bonds we forge in the face of adversity aren’t confined to the streets we shovel or the sidewalks we clear. Our shared experiences united us in ways that reached beyond the immediate neighborhoods, where stories become threads woven into the fabric of our shared identity as Saskatoon residents.
I was reminded of a poignant story shared by an elderly lady, one of our first connections when we had arrived in Saskatoon. She was reminiscing about the bygone days when households would prepare a room for passersby stranded in the snow. They could simply walk in, have some bread, and get a good night’s sleep. They could leave some money if they wished, but it was entirely up to them.
While we may not be living in the olden times now, it is evident that the remnants of a strong sense of community that laid Saskatoon’s foundation still exist.
So, as the snow continued to fall and people collectively worked to clear the city, the stories pouring in served as a reminder that in Saskatoon, the strength of the community lies not only in facing adversity together but also in celebrating victories, no matter how small, as one.
“No other place would probably be so kind as Saskatoon when strangers would show up with shovels and clean up mounds of snow to make sure you are safe in case of emergency. This is why we choose to live in Saskatoon. Your kindness is overwhelming. We thank you and bless you.”
This heartfelt message was shared on the online community group by another elderly lady, one from my country who embraced this city as her home nearly six decades ago.
Her words have solidified my belief that choosing this city as our new home was the right decision.
It’s our third winter in Saskatoon and we don’t yet have a snow blower. But what we have here is far more precious — the connections that forge and strength that blossoms when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
