The Honourable Senator R. Andreychuk
Born in Saskatoon, SK

Raynell Andreychuk's activities in her community, church and school life in Saskatoon lead to her development as a person of intelligence, charm and sensitivity to others' situations. These attributes would serve her well in life circumstances that would come her way. Even as a youth she was described as standing out as "a special person."

Raynell Andreychuk's Saskatoon education culminated in graduation from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966, and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1967. Admission to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1968 lead to a law practice position with a private firm in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. A higher legal status came her way eight years later when, in 1976, Raynell was appointed a Judge of the Saskatchewan Provincial Court. Subsequent to this, she established a Family Court in Regina, under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Court. This was a new concept within the Saskatchewan Justice court system. At the same time, Raynell Andreychuk served, over a six-year interval from 1977-1983, as Chancellor of the University of Regina. In 1985, she was appointed Associate Deputy Minister, Social Services, in Saskatchewan.

In 1987, Raynell Andreychuk accepted new challenges when she was named High Commissioner to Kenya, Uganda, and Ambassador to Somalia, the Comores. In addition, in 1990, she became the Ambassador to Portugal. During this period she served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environmental Programme and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlement: HABITAT. For the subsequent five years, from 1988 to 1993, she also served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

In 1993, Raynell Andreychuk received her highest honour when she was called to the Senate of Canada. In 1994, Senator Andreychuk served on the Special Joint Committee for the Review of Canada's Foreign Policy. She is the Vice-Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, the Standing Committee on Privileges, Standing Rules and Orders, and the Special Committee on Security and Intelligence. She has been described as "one of the hardest working Senators" with a high attendance record. With another senator, she is focusing on the health concerns of Canadians. This is in keeping with observations by former classmates that "she was always doing good things for people."

Senator Andreychuk has been very active in service with prominent national and international organizations. Interestingly, between 1975 and 1981 she served as National President and International Vice-President of the Young Men's Christian Association. The Senator has also played an active role with the United Way of Canada, the Big Sisters' Association and the Canadian Ukrainian Professional and Business Association, amongst others.

Senator Andreychuk has been honoured as the recipient of several prestigious awards: the YMCA Fellowship of Honour, the Vanier Outstanding Young Canadian Award, the Centennial Medal and the Regina YMCA Women's Award. In 1993, the University of Regina granted her a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. With the presentation of this particular honour of the Nation Builders Award, the Ukrainian community of Saskatchewan acknowledges the multitude of accomplishments achieved by this outstanding member of its community.

His Grace Most Rev. Archbishop - Metropolitan Michael Bzdel CSsR
Born in Wishart, SK

Michael Bzdel, the 11th child of 14 born to Theodore Bzdel and Eudokia Wasyluk of Wishart, SK, showed early signs of the path he would choose to follow throughout his life and the character and personality he would bring to his endeavours. The foundation to this was built upon a very happy home and community life through the church and school. He recalls the happiness of family gatherings particularly travelling to Babcha Wasyluk's house for Christmas Eve celebrations.

His education proceeded from a one-room school during the Depression to the Redemptorist Father's College, now St. Vladimir's College, in Roblin, Manitoba. Responding to a calling to the priesthood the young Michael Bzdel began a novitiate with the Redemptorist Fathers in Yorkton, Saskatchewan proceeding through the process to temporary vows in 1948 and perpetual vows in 1952. Seminary studies in Philosophy and Theology were completed at Waterford-Meadowvale, Ontario 1948-55 and a graduate course in Pastoral Counselling was undertaken at Ottawa's St. Paul's University 1971-72. He was ordained to the diaconate in February 1954 by Bishop Isidore Borecky of Toronto and received his priestly status from Bishop Andrew Roborecki, Saskatoon eparch, on July 7, 1954 at St. Mary's Church, Yorkton. Winnipeg, Manitoba was the site for the Archiepiscopal ordination of Father Bzdel on March 9, 1993, at Sts. Vladimir & Olga Cathedral by His Grace Metropolitan Maxim Hermaniuk, CSsR and His Excellency Myron Daciuk OSBM, Winnipeg and His Grace Metropolitan Stephen Sulyk, USA, elevating him to the rank of Archbishop Metropolitan of Winnipeg and all Canada.

From 1955 Father Bzdel commenced his parochial assignments first in Yorkton and Ituna as assistant parish priest then to Roblin and area as parish priest for 11 years, to July 1967. During this interval, he also served as teacher at the Minor Seminary of St. Vladimir's College in Roblin, Manitoba. At this point the duties of rector were added to his parish priest assignments serving at St. Joseph's Monastery and Church in Winnipeg, 1967-71; Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Saskatoon, 1972-81; St. Mary's Church, Yorkton and area, 1981-84. Additionally, he was Vicar Provincial of Yorkton Ukrainian Redemptorist Province of Canada and USA, 1967-69 and Provincial Superior 1983-92. As Archbishop Bzdel he became a member of the Permanent Council of the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops. He has also been an Ex-Officio member of the Synod of Bishops. To his parochial and administrative duties as Father Bzdel, he accepted chaplain and spiritual director positions with the Knights of Columbus and all three levels of the youth and ladies' organizations.

Michael Bzdel was comfortable and dynamic in his priestly roles. Guided to his vocation by Father Gregory Shyshkowich he initiated church construction, stressed tradition in the decoration of church interiors and full congregational participation in liturgies. His management skills and influences continue with him in the role of a visionary Archeparch with reorganization, press renewal and compassionate and wise care of the clergy and people under his care. On the international scene his knowledge and experience have been gratefully received by church leaders both in Canada and Ukraine. The inspired-by-God influence of Metropolitan Michael Bzdel has been a fortunate blessing for a broad community.

Peter Dmytruk
May 27, 1920 (Radisson, SK) - December 9, 1943 (Les Martres de Veyre, France)

Peter Dmytruk lived his brief life in so selfless a manner that he inspired people in a country far beyond his home land to cherish his memory by annually commemorating his sacrifice of life for their freedom.

An only son in the George Dmytruk family, Peter relocated with his family from his birthplace to Wynyard, SK just prior to the outbreak of World War II. When he enlisted in July 1941 in the RCAF his interviewer described him as confident and eager to start flying. Assigned as a sergeant to 405 Bomber Squadron he embarked for Britain on July 20, 1942 to serve as a tail gunner in missions over occupied Europe. Forty years later, in August, 1972, the mayor of Wynyard received a letter from a mayor of a place in France called Les Martres de Veyre, who proposed an honour for Peter Dmytruk, formerly of Wynyard, in the form of twinning the two towns.

It appears that Peter Dmytruk ultimately ended up in the French town of 2,500 in the Auvergne region of France after a fear-filled progress from a spot east of Paris where his plane was downed by German cannon fire. Although presumed dead Dmytruk survived and made his way undetected through German-occupied France. Befriended by Resistance members and encountering Allied airmen he shared his gunnery training and skill at operating heavy vehicles. Locals remember him as a very handsome, charming boy who, despite his heavy accent, always wanted to talk. Possessing an adventurous spirit, Dmytruk, dubbed Pierre le Canadien, declined to be smuggled out and received permission for a transfer to the Resistance. There he established a reputation as one willing to go anywhere to do anything. The French soon forgot he was a Canadian as he seemed as "one of them." It was as such, that on the evening of December 9, 1943 he was instantly killed by Germans who associated him with the sabotage of a heavily loaded troop and munitions train. The Germans, however, left without the usual reprisals having been lead to believe that with Peter's death the backbone of the Resistance movement had been destroyed. Peter's death spared the execution of some 1,400 French civilians. Les Martres buried Pierre with honours, proclaiming him a hero, and a valued fighter whose death saved their lives and freed them from living "under an enemy's yoke."

It took a year for the Canadian Department of National Defence to notify the father of his son's death while fighting with the Resistance. Some 30 years later the 1972 letter from France showed that Peter Dmytruk was not simply a name on a war memorial but a genuine war hero.

After overcoming national government apathy to the twinning project through media and public prodding and with initial provincial assistance, a 13-person Wynyard delegation of family and officials joined the French commemoration ceremony on December 9, 1972 at the monument to Pierre/Peter. The Canadians were overwhelmed at the strong emotions and the hospitality of the French and invited them for several return visits. A Reader's Digest 1995 article describes Dmytruk as "The Prairie Kid Who Died for France." In Saskatchewan, some citizens have initiated an ongoing process to recognize Peter Dmytruk's place in history by naming some locality in his honour.

By honouring Peter Dmytruk, we honour all the other Ukrainian boys who selflessly left the comfort and love of their Canadian homes to obtain freedom for others in other lands.

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Wasyly (Fedak)
Born in Kadubivtsi, Bukovyna, Ukraine

When not yet three, the young Wasyl Fedak arrived in Canada with his parents, the senior Wasyl and mother Anastasia (Ternowetska), settling in the Sheho area of Saskatchewan. There he availed himself of the educational opportunities and following high school graduation he enrolled at the Teachers' College in Saskatoon. As a student-resident at the Mohyla Institute he was fortunate to be mentored by Father Wasyl Kudryk.

Armed with a Teachers' Certificate, Wasyl Fedak taught for 14 years at various public schools. He contributed his training to the Ridna Shkola and involved himself with organizing the young people. At the same time he continued with his studies at the university level. His 1932 marriage to Paraskevia Tymofij was blessed with three sons, seven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. His children have involved themselves in an active Ukrainian cultural and church life.

Desirous of further devoting his life to service in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, he enrolled into the Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary in Winnipeg in 1941, receiving a Certificate in Theology in 1944 with a subsequent Licentiate of Theology from St. Andrew's College. Ordained in the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Ioan in 1944, Father Wasyly commenced devoted pastoral work that would extend to more than thirty years of service to parishes in Manitoba and Ontario. In Manitoba he organized new parishes in Oakburn and Rossburn and supervised construction of five new churches in Oakburn, Sandy Lake, Sich and Angusville. In 1948 he moved to the Grimsby area in Ontario serving seven parishes. In 1950 he commenced a thirty-year tenure at the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr in Hamilton where a new edifice was completed in 1954 and an iconostas added in 1962. He also served on the Consistory Board for ten years during this interval. His devoted service was recognized by three Metropolitans with a final achievement of the rank of Protopresbyter.

Widowed in 1976, he was recommended as a candidate for bishop and was consecrated July 15, 1978 receiving the title of Bishop of Saskatoon and Vicar of the Central Diocese. He proceeded through the ranks as Archbishop of Toronto and the Eastern Eparchy (1983) and Archbishop of Winnipeg and Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (1985). In 1990, Metropolitan Wasyly was instrumental in attaining Eucharistic Union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Metropolitan Wasyly has also been recognized as a Ukrainian Canadian leader and a distinguished community figure receiving honours from the City of Hamilton and the Premier of Ontario (1966), and two honours from Canada through the Governor General including appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada and the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal (1992). He received the Shevchenko Medal from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. He also holds honourary doctorates from St. Andrew's College in Winnipeg and the Ukrainian Free University in Munich.

Church and country have prospered under the blessings flowing from the devotion to his calling and the attributes of Metropolitan Wasyly.

The Honourable Sylvia Olga Fedoruk
Born in Canora, SK

Sylvia Olga Fedoruk, the only child of Annie (Romaniuk) and Theodore Fedoruk, received her first nine years of education from her father, a rural teacher, who instilled in her a love for learning. With the family's relocation to Windsor, ON during the war years, Sylvia had the good fortune to have her "scientific bent" recognized by an English teacher in her high school. Equipped by a top-level education and sustained by love and encouragement from family and teacher mentors she enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon when the family returned to the province. Here she received two Bachelor of Arts degrees with great distinction (1949) and high honours in Physics (1950), Masters degree in 1951. In future years she would be honoured with four honourary degrees. Nine scholarships came her way between 1946-1952 including two from the Canadian Cancer Society. She was the outstanding female high school graduate in 1946 and the outstanding gold medal university graduate in 1949.

Her professional career was twofold - in academics and research. Now a Professor Emeritus, University of Saskatchewan, she was a Professor of Oncology, College of Medicine and Associate, Department of Physics. She was also Director of Physics Services, Saskatchewan Cancer Commission in 1965. She was a member of many boards such as the Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada, Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Canadian College of Physicists in Canada where she is a Fellow, as well as with the Science Council of Canada and National Research Council. Sylvia Fedoruk has received many other university appointments, serving as Chancellor, 1986-89. Currently she sits on the Board of Governors, the Senate and the Crown Foundation Board. She is President of the Fedoruk Family Foundation.

The areas of interest for research by Sylvia Fedoruk centre on medical and biological physics, nuclear medicine, radiology and cancer. She has made presentations on topics in these areas to conferences in Munich, Rome, Tokyo, Harrogate, Vienna and Caracas. Her writings have been published in professional journals around the world including articles on the history of radiation therapy in our province and Saskatchewan's place in radiotherapy research. Her focus is on radiation protection and education for health and safety.

Sylvia Fedoruk has also assumed prominent community roles foremost being her appointment as Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor, 1988-1994. She has been appointed honourary or life member of an assortment of clubs and organizations as well as a member of various advisory committees including that on Judicial Appointments for Saskatchewan, Justice Canada, 1994-1999. A great sports enthusiast Sylvia Fedoruk has participated successfully in a gamut of sports with her greatest fame achieved in the area of curling. She has been involved with the Canada Games, the Brier, Participaction and Sask Sport, amongst others, and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, 1973, as well as many other "halls."

Sylvia Fedoruk has been recognized for her efforts through a wide range of honours, including Officer, Order of Canada and Member, Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and the Taras Shevchenko Medal, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, 1995.

The Honourable Sylvia Fedoruk has indeed measured up outstandingly to the early expectations of her by family, teachers and all who came in contact with her.

Dr. Roma (Stratychuk) Franko
Born in Meacham, SK

When Roma Stratychuk Franko graduated from Canora High School in 1954, she already showed promise, diligent scholarship and energetic creativity forthcoming from an individual of humour and perseverance who was totally committed to the values and beauty of her cultural inheritance.

In her progress through her life as student, teacher, professor, community activist, wife and mother, Roma acquired three undergraduate degrees from the University of Saskatchewan with High Honours and Distinction from 1959-65, a Master of Arts in Slavic Studies, 1971, and a 1990 Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Her scholarships included University Entrance, Connaught Fellowship, and a Canada Council Doctoral Scholarship.

Roma's teaching career commenced with parish schools, continued to elementary schools (1956-66) and after 1967 was devoted to university teaching and relevant professional innovations. Additionally, administrative responsibilities came with Department Head: of Slavic Studies 1981-89; and of Modern Languages from 1994 to an early retirement in 1996. She served on numerous College and University committees and also chaired university exchange programs with Chernivtsi, Ukraine (1982-86).

Roma's focus on introduction of new university courses and professional development of teachers of Ukrainian through the refinement of methods courses and co-preparation of audio-visual methods and accompanying texts, earned for her a Teaching Excellence Award in 1995. Invitations to conduct seminars, present papers and keynote addresses at educational assemblies attested further to her inspiring professionalism.

Roma Franko fully appreciated the role of excellence in teaching materials and course development, and solidarity of the professionals presenting these courses and materials. To this end, sometimes together with co-authors, she prepared and published numerous materials to use at various school levels, through correspondence courses and by audio-visual methods with text accompaniment. This was done primarily through the Department of Education where she also served on the Curriculum Committee from its inception in 1967 to 1996. Her novel 1994 instructional program for adults of all levels serves a great need.

To ensure a firm professionalism for teachers of Ukrainian Roma was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian in 1967, as well as president and journal co-editor. She also served at various levels of the Ukrainian Educational Council of Canada. In additional community involvements she participated in the establishment of the Mohyla Total Immersion Ukrainian Summer School Program (1971) and the Saskatchewan Ukrainian Arts Program (1974). Invited to serve on the Board of Governors of the National Film Board of Canada from 1972-1980 she served as Vice Chairman for five of those eight years. In 1998, Roma received the UCC Shevchenko Medal and the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko Award, being one of the first inductees into the Kobzar Society.

Roma Franko has extended her inventiveness and love of Ukrainian literature even into her retirement years. She joins with her sister, Sonia Morris, also a retired professor, to provide a six-volume English translation of the literary writings of Ukrainian women through historical periods of Ukraine, in proud tribute to her early promises of accomplishment and success.

Alex Gordon Kuziak
Born in the Canora District, SK

Alex Kuziak was one of ten children born to Jacob and Mary (Luchuk) Kuziak, who had come to Canada from Ukraine, in 1898, settling in the Canora district in Saskatchewan. They came with hope for a better life for themselves and their children. Alex reflected this focus of achieving satisfaction in life, in his endeavours. He extended this hope to the community he served by considering the impact on others of events arising within his spheres of responsibility.

Alex Kuziak's preparation for what would be a life of service proceeded through high school at Yorkton Collegiate and at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon, time out in Alberta and Michigan, USA, then normal school and five years of teaching. His 1935 marriage to Ukrainian Canadian teacher Ann Jarman was blessed with four children. Another 1935 acquisition was his business partnership in Canora Electric and Heating.

A more dramatic change of careers was precipitated by a chain of positions as rural municipality secretary, treasurer and chairman of the Canora School District (1945-46) as well as the Canora Union Hospital (1946). By 1948, attracted to the CCF political party, he achieved election to the legislative assembly with re-election in 1952 and 1958. His talents were recognized with ministerial appointments: 1952 - Minister of Telephones and Minister in charge of the Government Finance Office; 1956 - Minister of Natural Resources and Minister in charge of the Northern Crown Corporation, which included various resources, boards and co-operatives. First-hand knowledge of business, agriculture and administration contributed to Kuziak's competence and facility of service delivery.

In 1981, the Yorkton Provincial Building was named the A.G. Kuziak Building in token of the exemplary work and dedication of a man totally committed to the people of Saskatchewan in his endeavours.

Kuziak's legislative responsibilities extended to administration of an incredible array of projects and enterprises requiring decisive action on intensive problems. He was described as being a "powerhouse" having no match for his "killing pace... and driving energy." He had sweeping authority over vast territories and intricate projects. He presided over all his enterprises with a stewardship that reflected his advocacy of the rights of individuals inherent in their humanity.

Alex Kuziak's efforts at effecting noticeable changes leading to a better way of life for Saskatchewan people were evident in myriad developments under his skillful management during his 16-year tenure. Building new roadways contributed to ease of travel for citizens as well as tourists who provided a lucrative trade, and facilitated the movement of commerce from fishing and forestry resources. Campsites and beaches were improved, controlled cutting and reforestation was emphasized together with fire control. Provision was made for the technical training of northern native youth along "self-help lines" as a form of job enablement. Some form of these projects continues to this day.

Alex Kuziak was the first Ukrainian in Canada to receive a cabinet appointment. He was one of the charter members of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Association in Yorkton and was noted for the sage advice he offered from his background in business and politics.

Paul J.E. Ortynsky
Born in the Canora District, SK

Paul Ortynsky was born in the Canora district, an area of Saskatchewan that has produced an inordinate number of community activists. He found an outlet to his diverse interests and leadership skills in a broad assortment of activities. His endeavours have brought honour and distinction to his town, his cultural community and his profession.

A graduate in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan, Paul has owned and operated drugstores in Canora and Yorkton and was the Director of Pharmacy at the three Canora area Union Hospitals up to 1985. Presently semi-retired Paul continues as Coroner for the province. His involvement with the Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Association earned him a 1984 national recognition award and a 1999 recognition for his 50-year contribution to the field of Pharmacy.

Showing leadership qualities even as a student, he carried on an interest in the university serving as President of the Yorkton area Alumni Association of the University of Saskatchewan, on the Senate of the University of Regina, and as Vice President of the Parkland Regional College.

A veteran of World War II Paul Ortynsky continues as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion - Canora Branch having held the position of District Commander. Always interested in young people he has been involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet movement for 16 years in executive capacities and being recognized twice as Provincial Area Director of the Year.

As an entrepreneur he has involved himself organizationally with projects and from an education aspect. Active with the Chamber of Commerce in committee and executive assignments he is also a member of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce of Canada. He has a current appointment to the prestigious eight-member Saskatchewan-Ukraine Advisory Council, which serves as a forum for public and community involvement and makes recommendations respecting initiatives and projects. He has been National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association. He shares his business acumen by serving as curriculum consultant and executive member of Saskatchewan Business Education and on the executive of Saskatchewan Economic Development.

Paul's association with a variety of organizations in member and executive capacities reveals his diverse interests: Agricultural Society, EMO, Red Cross, Heart Foundation, Hudson Bay Route Association, Shriners, Saskatchewan Arts Council. He was Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis International, Western Canada District. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress have also profited from his executive skills and support of cultural programs such as the Saskatchewan Arts Program.

Paul Ortynsky worked his way through various levels of Canora community government holding top executive positions with the School Board, Housing Authority, Canora Centennial Celebration and currently the 2000 Centennial Committee. An alderman in Canora he is currently Mayor, proud of the increase in building, the change to well-source water and national and provincial awards for the town's "niceness."

Paul Ortynsky has been honoured with the award of the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal in 1992 and the Shevchenko Medal from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in 1998.

The Honourable Roy Romanow, Q.C.
Born in Saskatoon, SK

Roy Romanow has used his gifts of intelligence, charisma and humanitarianism to hone his skills of leadership and oratory primarily in the areas of law and politics. Pronounced an astute and consummate politician Roy Romanow has left an historic mark on events in both Saskatchewan and Canada. Throughout all of his involvements, he has always presented himself as a member of the Ukrainian community with frequent references to attributes of hard work and love of community transmitted to him by his father, Mike and mother, Tekla throughout their life together as a family and members of a Ukrainian community and church. Roy pays tribute to his mother for her unstilting efforts at making it possible to complete his studies after his father's untimely death.

A graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with degrees in Arts and Law he involved himself in party politics even as a student. His skills as a speaker were developed in broadcasting hockey games at his school in Grade Seven and over station CKOM leading to assignments there through high school and university as sports and news announcer amongst other duties. His practice of law in Saskatoon was conducted between his periods as a politician. As a member of the New Democratic Party he was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1967, then re-elected seven more times: in 1971, 1975, 1978, 1986, 1991, 1995 and 1999.

As the Deputy Premier and Attorney General between 1971 and 1982, Roy Romanow was instrumental in the introduction of significant new justice systems such as a legal aid plan, a Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and a Human Rights Commission, and the creation of a Provincial ombudsman's office. Between 1986 and 1991 Mr. Romanow served as Opposition House Leader and was acclaimed Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) on November 7, 1987. On November 1, 1991, he assumed duties as Premier of Saskatchewan, having led his party to a 55-seat majority government. This was followed by a majority government re-election in June 1995 and minority/coalition government re-election in September 1999. Among his key achievements were consistent balanced budgets and fiscal, economic and social reforms.

As Saskatchewan's first Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in 1979 he was a key player in federal-provincial negotiations which culminated in the Canadian Constitutional Accord of November 1981 and the co-authored Canada Notwithstanding on the negotiations process. He has remained in a key role in Canadian constitutional matters. He was also invited to serve as advisor to the Ukrainian government on constitution development subsequent to attainment of independence.

As a young man, he was involved with activities at St. George's Cathedral in Saskatoon and the Ukrainian National Youth Federation. He served as president of the Canadian Ukrainian Professional and Business Association and played a role in the establishment of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon and the initiation of a Saskatchewan-Ukraine program. He led a successful entrepreneurial exploration of business in Ukraine and received visits to Saskatchewan by Ukrainian President Kuchma.

A leader of international stature, Roy Romanow has brought credit to his Ukrainian and Saskatchewan origins whose influences have had a major impact on his life's work.

Peter Rupchan
June 17, 1883 (Molodia, Bukovyna, Ukraine) - July 17, 1944 (Endeavour-Usherville, SK)

Peter Rupchan followed his parents, Aksenniya Vihnan and Nikolai Rupchan, to Canada in 1905 joining them ultimately in the Saltcoats-Calder area of Saskatchewan. They had come to Canada in 1899 without their oldest son having apprenticed him to a blacksmith for economic reasons. He had ended up at a pottery factory east of Chernivtsi where he became accomplished in crafting pottery. Acquiring his own entrepreneurial ambitions and having suffered a crippling injury to his left arm from a shooting incident, he determined on a better life elsewhere and set sail for Canada. With the family re-settled to Endeavour-Usherville, Peter soon married Safta Safruk and they embarked on a life that would be full of hard work, tragedies and hardships as Peter attempted to cope with reconciling his ambition to be a potter with the realities of providing a homestead and an income for a growing family.

With his attempts at acquiring land thwarted by one tragedy after another and with his family decimated by a flu epidemic Peter found himself drawn to his pottery-making as a distraction from his problems. He had selected his land to include clay properties beneficial to pottery crafting. Lacking proper equipment and tools, his ingenuity and resourcefulness, coupled with an industrious character, guided him to innovative creation for his needs. He was a pioneer of early settlement struggling to survive without losing his sense of self.

To be a potter before cottage industry and diversification were familiar concepts was difficult not only for the individual but also for his family. In the pioneer days of the west it was difficult to comprehend why someone would choose to make a living by forming clay. Peter's children were teased about their father but the sight of him executing his wares to perfection despite his stiff, injured arm, was familiar to them and being allowed to make toys and whistles was pleasurable. It was also enjoyable to accompany their father and uncle Metro Safruk as they peddled the utilitarian wares about farms and towns and received the occasional treat.

Making pottery, however, was hard work. Rupchan, first, had to make his own pottery wheel, build a stove/kiln, dig out the clay, give it a long kneading, experiment with glazes and try to guess what people would buy when he brought his items to them. Working in isolation from other craftsmen and markets he relied on his own resources of ingenuity and on his Ukrainian design background. Living his life humbly, Rupchan was unaware of the celebrity and historic potential to his ambition and passion.

It took providential visits from auspicious persons such as Dr. George Dragan, medical practitioner and Liberal MLA from Saskatoon and ceramics professor Worcester, to spread the word about the artistic creativity of Peter Rupchan and facilitate its exposure. Some 30 years later after his untimely death, Rupchan's works were fetching hundreds of dollars, not the cents he received in his life-time. Through the efforts of then-Attorney General Roy Romanow, a gallery collection of 19 Rupchan pieces was presented to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon. At the January 17, 1981 event Mr. Romanow described Rupchan as embodying "the spirit of pioneer Saskatchewan... creative, resourceful, persistent and above all independent... [with] products of his labours... of style and function... learned in Ukraine but... uniquely Ukrainian Canadian." The collection continues to be displayed in the museum on rotation.

Dr. Peter Woroby
Born in Starhorod, Ukraine

An economist, educator, researcher and author Peter Woroby put the influences of his life on two continents, his international education and his interests in economics and sociology to use in areas of teaching and government projects. The second of two children born to Dmytro and Warwara (Muzychuk) Woroby in Starhorod, Western Ukraine, he already indicated a possible direction to his life with the acceptance of a teaching post in Ukraine after his 1939 graduation. Further graduations took place in 1944, University of Berlin, Diploma in Economics; 1948, University of Goettingen, Ph.D. magna cum laude, in economics. The year 1948 was important also for his March 14 marriage to Nadia Cherniak, a teacher, and emigration to Canada. The marriage was blessed with three daughters, Tania, Tamara, Katya, and four grandchildren. Through his studies and travels Professor Woroby acquired a proficiency in five languages: Ukrainian, German, Polish, Russian and English.

In the early years in Canada, between lecturing at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, 1949-51, including St. Paul's College, 1950-51 and working on government projects he also acquired a Masters of Science in Economics from the University in 1957. His consulting work with provincial and federal governments included: economist, Red River Basin Investigating Board, Winnipeg (1951-52); statistics analyst, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Regina (1952-57); analyst to the Royal Commission on Agriculture and Rural Life (1954-57); and senior sociologist, Centre for Community Studies, Saskatoon (1965). He held professorial posts at the University of Regina from 1962 to 1987 lecturing in economics, sociology and statistics.

Woroby was an active member in many professional organizations such as the Ukrainian Free Academy of Science, Canadian Association of Slavists, Canadian Economics Association as well as the American Association. Author of numerous articles and analytical reports on conference themes he has contributed some 50 commissioned investigative reports, research reports, papers and artwork to the "Canadian Geographer" and other professional publications. He has participated in many international conferences in centres such as Kyiv, Belgrade, Moscow, Ottawa, and Sydney.

Despite his all-consuming academic and professional life, Woroby also found time and desire for community involvement. In Regina he held posts on the Regina Welfare Council, the City Planning Commission and the Symphony Board. In the Ukrainian community Peter Woroby was founder of the Regina Ukrainian Business and Professional Association in 1963 and held the national vice-president's office, as well. He was also president of the Regina branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Even into his seventies, Professor Woroby was being called upon to share his expertise through teaching assignments in Kyiv and Lviv on economics and marketing; a presentation before the Ukrainian Parliament; accompanying Ministers, the Premier and businessmen on visits to Ukraine for purposes of establishing trade and commerce links between Saskatchewan, Canada and Ukraine, and serving as special advisor.

Favoured with gifts of intelligence and astuteness Peter Woroby used his skills of teaching and research generously, to share his knowledge with the two worlds from which his life evolved.