Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards 2018

Celebrating Achievement at the 2018 Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards Luncheon

(UCC Saskatchewan) — The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan held its 24th annual Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards luncheon and awards presentation at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert on November 4, 2018. Over 200 friends, family and guests gathered to recognize the outstanding achievements and meritorious contributions of some of this province’s notable citizens.

Click here to see larger photo 2018 Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards recipients with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and UCC Saskatchewan President. Nation Builders seated: Marlene Bodnar, UCC Saskatchewan President Mary Ann Trischuk, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan His Honour the Honourable W. Thomas Molloy, Dr. George Fedak, Hon. Vaughn Solomon Schofield. Community Recognition Award recipients standing: Megan Worobetz (for sister Aubree Worobetz, who is studying in Ireland), Nellie Bachek, John Chrusch, Linda Rudachyk, Wasyl Rybalka, Iris Smisko, Victoria Stefanyshyn.

Photograph courtesy of Mark Zulkoskey (2018)

Three individuals were recognized as Nation Builders this year: Marlene Bodnar (Saskatoon), Dr. George Fedak (Hudson Bay-Ottawa, ON), and Hon. Vaughn Solomon Schofield (Regina-Regina Beach). The Nation Builders Award is bestowed to persons who have made meritorious contributions, which have had a significant impact; left a legacy; and/or provided an exemplary role model to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada.

Community Recognitions Awards were presented to seven individuals: Nellie Bachek (Arran-Prince Albert) and Wasyl Rybalka (Hafford-Prince Albert) for Leadership and Cultural Preservation & Development; John Chrusch (Vonda-Saskatoon) and Linda Rudachyk (Norquay-Rosthern) for Leadership and Volunteerism; Iris Smisko (Hubbard-Prince Albert) for Volunteerism; and, Victoria Stefanyshyn (Prince Albert) and Aubree Worobetz (Saskatoon) for Youth Achievement. Community Recognition Awards are presented to persons who have made meritorious contributions in one or more of the areas of youth achievement; leadership; volunteerism; cultural preservation & development, and/or creativity & innovation to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada.

Following welcoming remarks by UCC Saskatchewan President Mary Ann Trischuk, the following dignitaries brought greetings: His Honour the Honourable W. Thomas Molloy, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan; Honourable Joe Hargrave, Government of Saskatchewan; Mayor Greg Dionne, City of Prince Albert; and, Sheryl Kimbley, SaskCulture. Prayers were offered by Most Reverend Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, and Reverend Father Patrick Powalinsky, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. Member of Parliament for Prince Albert Randy Hoback was acknowledged.

New Nation Builders Award Unveiled

During UCC Saskatchewan’s official recognitions program, which was hosted in Prince Albert for the second time, UCC Saskatchewan Executive Director, with the help of President Mary Ann Trischuk and Recognitions Committee member Martin Hryniuk, unveiled the new Nation Builders Award. Created by Winnipeg artist David Wasylyshen, originally from Gorlitz, Saskatchewan, this unique work of art features actual pieces of real pysanka eggs on a one-of-a-kind coloured baroque stained glass in the shape of the province of Saskatchewan. Rich with symbolism, the award captures elements such as Halychanka/Canadian Red Fife wheat, historic Ukrainian churches built by Ukrainian immigrants settling in Saskatchewan, and the province’s motto, “Land of Living Skies.”

The Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards Luncheon and Presentation was held this year with thanks to our Diamond Sponsors: Veselka Prince Albert & District Ukrainian Cultural & Heritage Association; Kalinowski Trucking Ltd.; Peter V. Abrametz, B.A., LL.B. (Abrametz & Eggum); MNP, Prince Albert; Market Tire; Prestigious Event Planning & Rentals Inc.; and, the Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation.

Diamond Sponsors

UCC Saskatchewan also acknowledges the important financial support it receives from SaskCulture and SaskLotteries, as well as from generous donors in the community.

The Board of UCC Saskatchewan is deeply grateful for the hard work of the volunteer members of the Recognitions Committee: Lissa Gruza (Chair), Sonia Bremner, Martin Hryniuk, Shawna Kozun, Steve Pillipow, and Fr. Patrick Powalinsky. The Board is equally appreciative of Prince Albert host community organizers Sonya Jahn, Marjorie Bodnarchuk and Charlene Tebbutt for important coordination contributions towards this year’s event.

[Paragraph updated Nov 7/18] A special thank-you goes to: emcee Harrold Salahub; citation readers Iryna Matsiuk, Matthew Zelensky and Christine Devrome (Nation Builder 2000); Hospodar and Hospodynia John & Marjorie Bodnarchuk; awards luncheon volunteers Natalia Antoniuk, Nadya Balytska, Valerii Bidulka, Cheryl Hislop, Olga Thoms and Lucy Wells; ushers Nina Duffield, Alexi Kawula, Brittany Lysitza, and Stephaan Salahub; bandurist Kathleen Clarke; and, photographer Mark Zulkoskey.

From its inception in 1995, the Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards project has honoured 254 individuals (162 NBA, 92 CRA) plus two Newsmaker of the Year Awards.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan is a provincial organization that provides programs and services for the Saskatchewan community to maintain, develop and share its Ukrainian Canadian identity and aspirations.

Summary of bios

Bodnar: community volunteer and leader; quality & control assurance officer at TCU Financial Group; long-time active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George in Saskatoon and Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (UCWLC) – St. George’s Cathedral Branch, served as Co-President, Treasurer, Constitution Chair, Audit Review Chair, and Audit Review Committee member of St. George’s UCWLC; President of the Saskatchewan Eparchial UCWLC, currently involved in an Outreach Ukraine project to provide assistance in establishing a Greek Catholic Women’s League in Ukraine; co-coordinator of Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimages in Mexico; Treasurer of the Musée Ukraina Museum Board, was highly involved in the financial establishment and construction of the Musée Ukraina Museum; Board member of Nashi; former UCC Saskatoon President and Ukrainian Day in the Park Committee Chair; served as Treasurer of UCC Saskatchewan and Co-Chair of UCC Saskatchewan’s 125th Anniversary National Gala Showcase Planning Committee

Fedak: prominent scientist in the field of natural, technical and socio-human sciences genetics and selection of agricultural plants; principal research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Adjunct Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba; Member of Associate Graduate Faculty of the University of Guelph; published over 200 refereed research publications and 8 book chapters; served on the executive of the Genetics Society of Canada; Associate Editor of Genome in 1990-2000; serves on the Boards of Wheat Information Service (Japan) and Ukrainian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Ukraine’s Academy of Science Vernandskyi Gold Medal Recipient (2017); active parishioner of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ottawa, a founding member of the Knights of Columbus St. Vladimir the Great Council #9557 in Ottawa

Solomon Schofield: Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan (2012-2018); businesswoman; Chair of the Western Group of Companies; strong supporter of Canadian Forces, Provincial Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, Honorary Colonel of 10 Field Artillery Regiment; former Board Member and/or Committee Chair of Regina Airport Authority, Saskatchewan Police Commission, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, St. John Ambulance, Royal United Services Institute, Conexus Advisory Board; served as Chair of Crime Prevention Program; recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal (2005), Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005)

Bachek: community leader and volunteer; a founding member of the Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club and Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Festival; served as President of Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club for 16 years; member and volunteer of Prince Albert & District Ukrainian Culture and Heritage Club, has helped with bread baking and food preparation at the Ukrainian booth at the Prince Albert Exhibition; active member of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Prince Albert and Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League – St. George’s Branch in Prince Albert

Chrusch: community volunteer and leader; retired railroad worker; spearheaded building of St. George’s Senior Citizens’ Residence in Saskatoon; served as Chair of St. George’s Senior Citizens’ Residence Board for 30 years; actively involved in the Knights of Columbus Sheptytsky Council #4938, held various executive and committee positions including Grand Knight; member of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood – Bishop Roborecki Branch for more than 55 years; volunteered for the new Musée Ukraina Museum building fundraising campaign

Rudachyk: avid volunteer and community leader; registered social worker; worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Department of Social Services in Weyburn; developed a Parenting Partners program and was active in foster parent training with the provincial and federal community; a founding member of the Weyburn and Area Council on Child Abuse; established “The Family Place” in Weyburn in support of toddlers/children at-risk; served on the Weyburn Red Wings billet family program committee; key member the Rosthern Farmers Feeding Families Initiative; organized Ukrainian Malanka in Weyburn and Rosthern; volunteered and fundraised for Rosthern Ukrainian Dolyna Dancers; recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2009) and Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2006)

Rybalka: educator; taught with the Prince Albert Saskatchewan Rivers School Division #119 for 31 years; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Consistory Board Member; Choir Director of the Prince Albert Veselka Choir; Past President of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Prince Albert; former choir director of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Prince Albert; Past President of the Ukrainian Orthodox Men’s Association – Prince Albert Branch; Board member of St. Petro Mohyla Institute, played instrumental role on the Ukrainian Summer Immersion, Cultural and Leadership Camp Committee, which organized a two-week camp for adolescent students from Ukraine and Canada; taught accredited Ukrainian language classes at St. Petro Mohyla Summer School Immersion Program; former CYMK (Ukrainian Orthodox Youth of Canada) advisor; Ukrainian dance instructor in Meath Park in mid-1980s; recipient of the Prince Albert and Area Teachers Association Honorary membership (2015)

Smisko: avid volunteer; dental hygienist/therapist; volunteered with Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club, served as Vice-President and Secretary; former Chair of the Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Festival; active parishioner and volunteer of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Prince Albert, served on the Parish Council; member of Veselka Prince Albert & District Ukrainian Culture and Heritage Club; member of the host committee of the 2009 Men’s Mid-Amateur Golf Championship in Prince Albert; volunteered for hockey Mintos Hockey Club, Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, Waskesiu Children’s Festival, Waskesiu Grey Owl Family Night, and Prince Albert National Park Canada Day Celebrations; Prince Albert Best of the Best Award recipient in the dental hygienist category (2016 and 2017)

Stefanyshyn: graduate with Honours of the École St. Mary High School in Prince Albert; dedicated member of the Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club for the past 14 years; received numerous awards and scholarships for her achievements in dance; assists with Barveenok’s Tiny Tots, Beginner and Adult dance groups; volunteered many hours to St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish community—leads parish Stations of the Cross during Lent, the Children’s Liturgy group, helps out with the parish Easter tea or Fall Supper; volunteered at Pineview Terrace Lodge Care Facility; creates and designs unique head pieces for dancers for her family-owned Ukreations store; her painting depicting Ukrainian culture was selected for the Heart of Youth Powwow

Worobetz: Major Gifts Officer at St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation; Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan; received Certificate in Professional Communication through Ron and Jane School of Professional Development (U of S); performing cast member of Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble; Board member of Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble; member of Lastiwka Ukrainian Choir and Orchestra; volunteer and outspoken supporter of Saskatoon Ukrainian community