Awards Recipients for 1996
Theodore Baran
Reverend Dr. James Hominuke
Lillian Kobrynsky
Katherine Malisky
Bohdan (Gordon) Panchuk, M.B.E.
Archpresbyter Right Reverend Dr. Seman
Volodymyr Sawchuk
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Anna Shudlik
Right Reverend Dr. Stefan Semchuk
Justice Walter Surma Tarnopolsky
Mary Tkachuk
Olena Wolchuk |
Awards Luncheon
The Battleford Room at Saskatoon’s Delta Bessborough Hotel was
the location of the Second Annual Community Appreciation luncheon
and program hosted by the UCC-SPC on Sunday, September 29, 1996.
Eleven honourees from various walks of life were recognized for
their numerous professional and volunteer contributions to the Ukrainian
community and Canadian society as a whole. Over 175 people were
on hand to witness the event.
The afternoon began with a delicious luncheon of cabbage and sausage
soup appetizer, an entree of prairie-style chicken presented on
a bed of wild rice accompanied by vegetables and concluded with
pear belle Hélène for dessert. The background music selected for
the occasion was from two recent recordings, featuring young Saskatchewan
artists, titled Voloshky and Jeffrey’s Musical Restaurant: Ukrainian
Feast! After lunch the master of ceremonies, Nadia Prokopchuk, outlined
the significance of the event and introduced the members of the
Recognitions Committee. She then called upon Mary Cherneskey, chair
of the Committee, and Vera Labach, member, to introduce the honoured
guests. UCC-SPC President Adrian Boyko presented appropriately engraved
awards to each of the honourees present at the commemorative event
and to a family designate of those who had passed away.
The UCC-SPC Executive expresses its sincere gratitude to all those
who participated in the planning and organization of the annual
Community Appreciation presentations. ?????? ??????? ???!
Recognitions Committee (1996): Mary Cherneskey (Chair), Vera Labach,
Dr. Tony Harras, Alex Balych.
Plans for the 1997 selection of honourees and commemoration have
begun. The Recognitions Committee invites nominations from the community
which can be forwarded to the UCC-SPC office.

1996 Nation Builders Awards recipients and committee
members. Standing (L-R): Vera Labach (Committee member), Yurii Rudiuk,
Maria Panchuk and daughter, Adrian Boyko (UCC-SPC President), Bishop
Cornelius Pasichney, Christine Devrome, Bohdan Baran, Mary Cherneskey
(Committee Chair).
Seated (L-R): Zenovia Charowsky, Lillian Kobrynsky, Ruth Hominuke,
Mary Tkachuk, Katherine Malisky, Luba Chaykowska.
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Photo Album
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Theodore
Baran
(1911-1995)
A church artist, educator and administrator,
Theodore Baran came to Canada in 1948, establishing himself
as a church ornamentalist and iconographer. Although trained
in law and pedagogy, Mr. Baran followed what he considered
his "artistic destiny." Mr. Baran studied ecclesiastical
art, techniques of Byzantine church painting, ornamentation
and iconography at the Studite Monastery in Lviv, Ukraine.
He left a rich heritage in Canada of memorable church interiors,
iconostases and icons. In Saskatchewan, his major works are
found in St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Saskatoon,
Ukrainian Catholic churches in North Battleford, Regina, Moose
Jaw and Wynyard, as well as the Roman Catholic Cathedral in
Prince Albert. The permanent collection of the Canadian Museum
of Civilization in Ottawa includes two icons by him. An accomplished
and versatile artist, Mr. Baran also painted portraits, landscapes
and still-lifes in which the sunflower became a personal theme
for him.
Mr. Baran extended his knowledge and love
of ecclesiastical art into the community by conducting tours
of the Saskatoon Cathedral for school children and adults
and lectures in other cities. His teaching skills were developed
during a six-year tenure as a teacher of Art at Polish and
Hebrew Schools and a teacher of Art and German in Ukrainian
Secondary Schools in Bibrka, Ukraine. He provided valuable
support to young people through the Ukrainian scouting movement,
Plast and its parent support-group, and through initiation
of an Ukrainian soccer club. He provided opportunities for
his children and other youth to become familiar with his art
profession by involving them in his iconostases and church
decorating projects.
His work as an administrator commenced in
Germany, from 1946 to 1949, when Mr. Baran served with the
International Refugee Organization of Displaced Persons in
Winzer. In Canada, he participated in many community organizations
including the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood and the Ukrainian
Catholic provincial and national councils where he occupied
executive positions. As the President of the Ukrainian Catholic
Council of Canada in 1984, he greeted Pope John Paul II on
behalf of Ukrainian Catholic Canadians. As one of the founders
of the Bishop Andrew Roborecki Foundation he provided for
the education of Ukrainian Catholic priests. A prolific contributor
to the Ukrainian newspapers Progress (Winnipeg) and
Ukrainian News (Edmonton), he also has credits for
publications on Bishop Roborecki and St. George’s Cathedral
Parish as well as an unfinished history of the Ukrainian Catholic
Brotherhood in Saskatchewan. |
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Reverend
Dr. James Hominuke
(1903-1989)
A Ukrainian Baptist minister, educator, radio
broadcaster, author, publisher, editor and generous donor,
Reverend Hominuke has received world wide recognition for
his exemplary pastoral and missionary leadership. His career
in theology began in 1938 when he left Canada to enter the
North Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, USA. He continued
his studies at North West Loyola University. His academic
degrees are: Bachelor of Divinity, Bachelor of Science, Master
of Arts and Doctor of Theology. In 1946, Reverend Hominuke
and his wife Ruth settled in Saskatoon where he embarked on
his lifelong pastoral career.
His major accomplishments include the establishment
of the Ukrainian Bible Institute (1946), the Ukrainian Missionary
and Bible Society (1946), the Ukrainian Gospel Hour (1948)
and The Gospel Press (1948). Reverend Hominuke served as director
in each of these institutions and contributed immensely to
their overwhelming success.
The Ukrainian Bible Institute in Saskatoon
was the first Protestant theological school in the history
of the Ukrainian people and became a major training centre
for missionaries, pastors, Sunday school teachers and Christian
workers. The Gospel Press published Ukrainian language literature,
Bibles, hymn books, brochures and numerous books, including
the Ukrainian-English Dictionary by Dr. K. Andrusyshen.
A man devoted to the Christian cause, Reverend
Hominuke headed the distribution of Ukrainian language Bibles
and Gospel literature to Ukrainians in Canada, the United
States, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Western Europe, Poland,
Great Britain, Australia and other countries where Ukrainians
lived. The Gospel literature was sent out free of charge to
those people who were unable to pay even the mailing charges.
Reverend Hominuke's greatest joy came from learning that through
certain channels the literature was also reaching Ukraine,
behind the "Iron Curtain."
The weekly Ukrainian Gospel Hour missionary
radio outreach program, produced by Reverend Hominuke for
41 years, covered Western Canada and adjoining parts of the
USA. In the early years, it was especially appreciated by
shut-ins and listeners in remote areas.
Reverend Hominuke was a highly respected and
influential leader who made a significant impact on the growth
and development of the Ukrainian Baptist missionary field.
His major driving force was the desire to raise the spiritual
consciousness in Ukrainians all over the world. His wife Ruth
was a supportive partner throughout his pastoral career, shared
his goals in life and worked diligently together with him
to achieve them. |
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Lillian
Kobrynsky
(1925-)
A highly creative and dynamic person, Lillian
Kobrynsky has made exemplary contributions in the areas of
cultural and community affairs, education and multiculturalism.
Working in the broader and Ukrainian communities, she has
applied organizational and research skills to the initiation
of countless programs, projects and events.
For some 28 years Mrs. Kobrynsky taught catechism
and ridna shkola at Canora and was a member of the Saskatchewan
Teachers of Ukrainian (STU). Mrs. Kobrynsky involved herself
in the development of teaching programs, teacher-training
workshops and preparation of visual aids in order to have
Ukrainian established as a school subject in its own right.
She worked with the Saskatchewan Ukrainian Curriculum Committee
of the University of Saskatchewan's Slavics Department and
served on the Minister of Education’s Advisory Committee for
Heritage Languages. Mrs. Kobrynsky organized school, church
and community activities which provided opportunities to use
Ukrainian. She well understood that language retention required
language usage. Two major sets of visual materials were prepared
for the use of schools and various organizations: "Ukrainian
Culture and Traditions in Canada", a 200 slide and tape
presentation with script and "The Folk Dress of Ukraine,"
a display of 45 dolls illustrating Ukrainian regional costumes
now housed at the Musée Ukraina Museum in Saskatoon.
Mrs. Kobrynsky's educational emphasis extended
into the preparation of costumes for the celebration of the
Millennium of Christianity, the display of mannequins at the
Yorkton Ukrainian Catholic Cultural Centre, an ongoing UCWLC
costume project concentrating on Ukrainian urban dwellers,
and as annual Malanka presentations.
In addition to her cultural work through the
Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Mrs. Kobrynsky was involved with
multicultural events ranging from festivals and mall displays
to preparation for major events such as a visit from Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and the Centennial of Ukrainian Settlement
in Canada. Currently, Mrs. Kobrynsky is the Chief Executive
Officer of the Canora Heritage Museum.
Mrs. Kobrynsky's work has been recognised
through the Volunteer Recognition Award presented by the Saskatchewan
Government and through the commitment to their own community
work from those exposed to her example. |
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Katherine
Malisky
(1912-)
A dedicated volunteer and leader, generous
donor, initiator of numerous projects, motivator and promoter
of Ukrainian culture, Mrs. Malisky has devoted countless hours
and untiring energy to community service in numerous local
and provincial organizations.
Membership and active participation in the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Women’s Association
of Canada (1927-present), Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Mohyla
Institute, Battlefords Ukrainian Seniors "Slawa"
Centre, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Battlefords Historical
Society, Battlefords Horticultural Society and other organizations
attest to Mrs. Malisky’s high level of personal dedication
and commitment to her community.
Her major accomplishments include serving
as President (1974-1985) of the Battlefords Ukrainian Historical
Society whose publication Follow the Furrow documents
the histories of Ukrainian pioneers in the Battlefords area,
developing the Ukrainian section at the Battlefords Western
Development Museum where she spent some 16 years as a volunteer
worker and committee member, assisting in reorganizing the
Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Congress Branch and forming
the Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council. Her outstanding research
skills became evident in 1983 when she participated in staging
Battleford's first and very successful fashion show illustrating
the various regional costumes of Ukraine. She also dedicates
many hours to organizing the annual commemorative Taras Shevchenko
program and initiated the annual Ukrainian Heritage Day.
A long-time supporter of youth, Mrs. Malisky
donated a trophy to the North Battleford Ukrainian Dance Festival,
established a bursary to motivate and assist youth from the
Battlefords area to attend the annual Ukrainian Cultural and
Language Immersion Summer School at Mohyla Institute and extended
her generosity to exchange students from Ukraine. Mrs. Malisky
and her husband Peter were generous donors to many Ukrainian
organizations, the Ukrainian press and for assistance to Ukraine,
a tradition she is actively continuing.
For her many years of dedicated volunteer
work, Mrs. Malisky received the Saskatchewan Volunteer Recognition
Award, was honoured with a long-time service award by the
National Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada and was gifted
with an honourary membership in the Redfield-Richard UWAC. |
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Bohdan
(Gordon) Panchuk, M.B.E.
(1915-1987)
A community leader and activist, active serviceman,
teacher, journalist, radio announcer and producer, lecturer,
free-lance writer, editor and social worker, Mr. Panchuk achieved
war-time decorations, recognition and numerous awards for
his many contributions to humankind. Mr. Panchuk's major accomplishments
include founding the Ukrainian Canadian Servicemen's Association
(1943) during his active service in the Royal Canadian Air
Force in the United Kingdom (1941-46), helping to establish
the Central Ukrainian Relief Bureau (1945) to assist Ukrainian
displaced persons and refugees in Europe. He headed the Joint
Canadian -American Relief Mission for Ukrainian Refugees,
Displaced Persons and Victims of War (1945-1952) and served
as a consultant to various world-wide organizations that worked
with refugees and immigration.
Mr. Panchuk obtained a First Class Teaching
Certificate in 1935, taught at Yellow Creek for several years,
then continued his education at the University of Saskatchewan,
residing at Mohyla Institute. He volunteered for service in
the Royal Canadian Air Force, graduated first as a Wireless
Operator, then as a Wireless Mechanic First Class and was
posted overseas. His active service took him to Britain, Ireland,
France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He met and married Ann
Cherniawska while serving in London, England. Upon completing
overseas service, he studied at the University of London's
School of Slavic and East European Studies. His academic degrees
include a Bachelor of Arts (1956) from Sir George Williams
University (Concordia), a Master of Arts (1961) from the University
of Montreal. Mr. Panchuk's War Service decorations include
Canadian Decoration (1941-46), Canadian Voluntary Service
Medal and Clasp, 1939-45 Star, General Service Medal, France
and Germany Star, Defence Medal (Great Britain), Member of
the British Empire.
He assisted in setting up and then headed
the Ukrainian Section of the CBC International Service (1952-55),
broadcasting daily Ukrainian language programs to the former
Soviet Union. Mr. Panchuk continued reserve and militia service
in various capacities from 1952 to 1968. He was an active
member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, Ukrainian
Self-Reliance Association, national organizer for the Ukrainian
Canadian Youth Association (1936-39), founding member of St
Volodymyr's Institute in Toronto, Mazeppa Credit Union and
St Sophia's Cathedral (Montreal) and the Ukrainian Canadian
Veterans' Association. He served on numerous public service
organization executives. Mr. Panchuk also taught high school
in Montreal (1955-80). Upon retiring, he returned to Saskatoon
as Rector of Mohyla Institute. Mr. Panchuk's memoirs were
published in 1983 as Heroes of Their Day. He is remembered
for his determination and commitment to the Ukrainian cause. |
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Archpresbyter
Right Reverend Dr. Seman Volodymyr Sawchuk
(1895-1983)
One of the first three Ukrainian Orthodox
priests to be ordained in Canada (1920), writer and editor,
Rt. Rev. Sawchuk was an outstanding ideological leader in
student organizations and in the revival of the Ukrainian
Greek-Orthodox Church of Canada. He was active in the Orthodox
Brotherhood and in the initiation of the Ukrainian Orthodox
seminary at Mohyla Institute in 1919 where he became one of
its first theology students. He also devoted untiring energy
to the organization and promotion of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance
League of Canada and the Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada
(CYMK). Rt. Rev. Sawchuk was the first head of the UOCC Consistory
Council of Ukrainian Language Schools.
Early in his priesthood, Rt. Rev. Sawchuk
served Canora, St. Julien and Saskatoon district parishes
(1920-22). One of his major accomplishments was celebrating
the first Ukrainian-language liturgy in Canada in Saskatoon
on June 18, 1922.
Rt. Rev. Sawchuk was active in numerous organizations,
including: Kameniari Student Society at Mohyla Institute (President)
and the Society's newsletter (Editor), the UGO Church of Canada
(Administrator, 1924-51), the Orthodox Herald (first editor,
1924-51), the Ethnic Press of Canada (President, 1964-67).
As Rector of the UGO Theological Seminary in Winnipeg (1932-45),
he was instrumental in the establishment of St. Andrew's College
in 1946, a Ukrainian Orthodox theological college, which became
an Associated College of the University of Manitoba. He served
as its Principal until 1969.
Rt. Rev. Sawchuk promoted national consciousness,
active Canadian citizenship and played a major role in the
unification of the Ukrainian community into the Ukrainian
Canadian Committee (Congress) in 1940, served as its Vice-President
(1940-56) and was named Honourary President in 1980. He volunteered
for WWII military service and was inducted as the first Ukrainian
Orthodox Chaplain to serve in the Canadian Forces.
Rt. Rev. Sawchuk's publications include Yak
postala ukrainska pravoslavna tserkva v Kanadi, 1924 (How
the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada was Formed), Tserkovni
kanony v teorii i praktytsi, 1955 (Church Canons in Theory
and Practice, Istoriia ukrainskoi hreko-pravoslavnoi tserkvy
v Kanadi, 1985 (History of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox
Church in Canada) and the first volume of the mammoth history
of the UOCC. His plays and short stories appeared under the
pseudonym Matvei Semen.
Rt. Rev. Sawchuk's commitment and devotion
to the church earned him all the ranks to which a priest may
be entitled, including Archpresbyter and the Metropolitan's
awards. For his leadership and dedication he was awarded a
Doctor of Theology Honourary Degree from St. Andrew's
College in 1950. A scholarship in Graduate Studies in Theology
as well as the Museum and Archives at the Consistory of the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada were established in his
memory. |
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Anna
Shudlik
(1903-1990)
An active and devoted member of the Ukrainian
community in Saskatoon from 1932, Anna Shudlik developed strong
administrative skills and broad personal contacts in her involvement
at the executive level with the Ukrainian Catholic Women's
League ( local and eparchial), the Ukrainian Canadian Committee
(Congress) and the Knahynia Olha Organization at St. George's
Cathedral Parish.
These attributes served Mrs. Shudlik well
as she worked with devotion and determination in establishing
the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchial Museum of Cultural Art. Mrs.
Shudlik quickly grasped the value of a museum in preserving
heritage treasures for posterity. Her far-sighted focus on
building a museum rich in content and information drove her
to spare neither herself nor her family nor her co-workers
and not even her personal finances. In her undaunted fashion
she succeeded in assembling an eclectic collection of items
from Saskatchewan, Canadian, American and Ukrainian sources.
Today, as the Musée Ukraina Museum in Saskatoon, Anna
Shudlik's vision of a museum has been developed by inspired
workers and board members, into a creatively-assembled collection
of close to 10,000 items.
Mrs. Shudlik was elected the first Chair of
the Museum Committee of the UCWL in 1953. She continued in
this capacity until her retirement to Toronto to join her
daughter, Jean Buczynski, who had been her long-time assistant.
During her tenure, Mrs. Shudlik organized displays, classes
in pysanky-decorating and embroidery, along with countless
fundraising projects. She studied costume history and design
from an extensive book collection.
Prior to the 1955 opening of the museum at
the Sheptytsky Institute in Saskatoon, Mrs. Shudlik worked
at carpentry and mammoth painting tasks to prepare the building
and museum premises. These activities were repeated in 1965
when the museum relocated to the former St. George's Cathedral
Parish Hall on Avenue M and 21st Street, Saskatoon.
Gifted with a fine singing voice, Mrs. Shudlik
continued her choral singing activities with various groups
throughout her community life.
She was recognized for her work by trophy
awards from Rome and the city of Saskatoon, as well as a Papal
medal. |
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Right
Reverend Dr. Stefan Semchuk
(1899-1984)
A Ukrainian Catholic priest from western Ukraine,
with an established reputation as a poet and writer, Rt. Rev.
Semchuk came to Canadian 1928, serving first in Saskatchewan
communities and then a long tenure in Winnipeg. A highly-cultured
man and visionary activist, he worked with missionary zeal
in establishing the Ukrainian Catholic Church and community
in Canada. Between 1932 and 1937, Rt. Rev. Semchuk applied
his skills to the development of Ukrainian Catholic communities
in several Saskatchewan centres including: Kulykiv, Canora,
Kuroki, Smuts, Vonda, Buchanan, Nora, Rama, Alvena and Yellow
Creek. Rt. Rev. Semchuk was the first priest to serve six
of these parishes. He arranged land and building acquisitions
and guided parish formations. Aware of the need for cohesiveness
for community survival, Rt. Rev. Semchuk initiated the formation
of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood at a Saskatoon convention
in 1932. The constitution he prepared for this fledgling group
served as a model for other organizations including national
Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood.
Rt. Rev. Semchuk broadened his community impact
by serving as the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood representative
on the presidium of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee (later
Congress), successfully lobbying Ottawa for the removal of
"the" before Ukraine, organizing women's groups
to send CARE packages to Europe after the Second World War,
and by assisting Ukrainian refugees to immigrate to Canada.
Rt. Rev. Semchuk firmly believed that Ukrainians
had a significant role to play as active Canadians. To that
end he served as mentor to individuals demonstrating leadership
capabilities. As a pastor, he taught catechism classes to
all the young people in his parishes, exposing them to a high
level of knowledge about their faith.
A prolific writer, Rt. Rev. Semchuk published
the Brotherhood Bulletin, The Future of the Nation,
a bi-weekly newspaper out of Winnipeg; and penned, in Ukrainian,
volumes of history, biographies, poetry and prose, many of
them having Canadian themes. His literary collections are
found in libraries in Ukraine and North America. |
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Justice
Walter Surma Tarnopolsky
(1932-1993)
An outstanding scholar, professor, writer,
judge, dean, constitutional advisor and quintessential Canadian,
Justice Tarnopolsky was a leading human rights advocate and
proponent for multiculturalism. His integrity, sensitivity,
generosity, capability and humility earned him genuine respect
throughout the world. He was aptly described by a magazine
writer as "the greatest freedom fighter Canada has ever
produced." Justice Tarnopolsky lived by the same principles
of human rights that he so often emphasized and promoted in
his public addresses.
Justice Tarnopolsky's academic achievements
include a Bachelor of Arts (1953) from University of Saskatchewan,
a Master of Arts (1955) from Columbia University, LL.B. (1957)
from University of Saskatchewan, LL.M. (1962) from the University
of London. His distinguished career in Law began at the University
of Saskatchewan (1959-60, 1963-67) and included the University
of Ottawa (1962-63, 1980-83), Osgoode Hall Law School (1967-68,
1972-80), University of Windsor (1968-72), York University
(1972-80) before his appointment to the Supreme Court of Ontario
(Appeals Division) in 1983. He was the recipient of honourary
doctorates including: LL.D. (1982) from St. Thomas University,
University of Alberta, Trent University (1986) and was admitted
as a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for his vigilant
scholarship on the many aspects of human rights.
Justice Tarnopolsky was active in national
and international organizations and held numerous executive
positions including President of the Federation of Canadian
University Students (1957-58), member of the United Nations
Human Rights Committee (1977-83), president of the Canadian
Civil Liberties Association (1977-81), vice-president of the
Board of Directors of Mohyla Institute (1964-66) where he
had previously resided as a student, president of the Canadian
Foundation of Ukrainian Studies (1976-77). He headed several
boards of inquiry for the Ontario Human Rights Commission
and under a United Nations fellowship studied human rights
in Malaysia, India and Japan. When Ukraine gained independence
in 1991, Justice Tarnopolsky worked with Ukrainian officials
on developing constitutional rights protection and served
on the Board of Foreign Advisors to the Ukrainian Legal Foundation
based in Kyiv.
Justice Tarnopolsky’s published works include
The Canadian Bill of Rights (1996 and 1975), Some
Civil Liberties Issues of the Seventies (1975), Discrimination
and the Law in Canada (1982), The Canadian Charter
of Rights: A Commentary (1982). He has written numerous
articles, chapters in books and has had public addresses published,
dealing with human rights and constitutional law issues, as
well as Ukrainian issues. |
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Mary
Tkachuk
(1912-)
A prominent community leader, visionary thinker,
educator, music and choral director, business woman, mentor
and role model, Mrs. Tkachuk has served the Ukrainian and
Canadian communities for over 65 years, developing and promoting
Ukrainian culture, fine and folk arts, music, heritage museums
and multiculturalism on local, provincial, national and international
levels.
Mrs. Tkachuk's leadership roles in Ukrainian
organizations include: the Ukrainian Women's Association of
Canada (National President, 1939-42, Vice-President, 1936-38,
1968-73), the Ukrainian Women's Council (Saskatoon) of the
Ukrainian Canadian Committee (Congress) (President, 1966-68)
and first woman President of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League
of Canada (1989-91). Mrs. Tkachuk is a founding member of
the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (1936) serving on its board
since that time, including as Vice-President, President and,
from 1991, Honourary Past President. She has co-authored and
served on editorial committees for Ukrainan folk arts publications,
spearheaded and implemented plans for the Ukrainian Museum
of Canada in Saskatoon and is currently participating in its
expansion project. Mrs. Tkachuk chaired the Canadian Museums
Association National Steering Committee (1974-77) to form
the Association of Ukrainian Museums of Canada.
Locally, she helped found the Saskatoon Folk
Arts Council (1964). She represents the Riversdale Business
Improvement District on the Saskatoon Municipal Heritage Advisory
Committee and holds membership in the Saskatoon Heritage Society.
A highly respected music and choral director,
Mrs. Tkachuk conducted the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox
Cathedral Choir (1955-73), the Saskatoon Ukrainian Massed
Choir for commemorative festivities, the Ukrainian Folk Singers
(CYMK) choir that performed in Montreal at Canada's Expo '67
and trained choruses to appear with the Saskatoon Symphony
Orchestra's two programs of Ukrainian classical music. Her
extensive musical arts activity includes three publications:
Complete Musical Collection of Composer Mykola Leontovych,
Ukrainian Song Book by M.O. Hayvoronsky (1946) and
The Divine Liturgy by Reverend T. Zayets (1963).
For over 60 years, from their family-oriented
business Paul's Music and Book Supply, located on 20th Street
in Saskatoon, Mrs. Tkachuk and husband Paul provided an essential
service to meet the numerous and varied educational, musical,
handcraft, costume and other needs of their clientele.
Mrs. Tkachuk has been recognized for her exemplary
community service including the City of Saskatoon in the Year
of the Woman, Saskatoon YWCA Woman of the Year (Arts), Honourary
Life Membership in the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada,
Ukrainian Canadian Congress Centennial Medal and Shevchenko
Medal, Friend of UCC Saskatchewan Council Ukrainian Arts Program,
Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada Award of Excellence,
St. Andrew’s College (Winnipeg) Distinguished Service Award,
Folkfest Honourary Ambassador, American Association for State
and Local History Award of Merit, Saskatoon Centennial Society
Multicultural Award, Saskatoon Century Award and Saskatoon
Multicultural Award. |
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Olena
Wolchuk
(1907-1995)
A teacher from Ukraine, Olena Wolchuk came
to Canada in 1948, where she distinguished herself as an untiring
community worker, a creative and caring teacher and, together
with her husband, Orest Wolchuk, as an enterprising business
person. Her work in the Ukrainian community included: long-term
membership in the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League; the Olha
Basarab Women's Organization within the Ukrainian National
Federation, and as a founding member of the Ukrainian Catholic
Eparchial Museum of Culture.
Through her work as a Ukrainian-language teacher
at the Ukrainian National Federation Hall in Saskatoon and
the Sadochok at St. George's Cathedral, Olena Wolchuk exerted
a deep cultural and intellectual influence on the development
of the young people who came under her direction. Today, her
students take an active and exemplary place in their communities.
With Mrs. Wolchuk as a model of a person of refined grace
and one who possessed an academic background in Ukrainian
history and culture, those who studied or worked under her
charge came to understand and appreciate the depth of beauty
and status value of their Ukrainian heritage.
Her expert knowledge of Ukrainian costume
design and drama was evident in the stage presentations she
directed and produced as a teacher and organization worker
and as a consultant to the developing Yevshan Ukrainian Folk
Ballet Ensemble. This is particularly evident in their costumes
of the Hutsul region. Her knowledge and contacts also played
a major role in the evolution of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchial
Museum. This includes the contribution of items from her personal
collection and from her contacts in Ukraine.
Olena and Orest Wolchuk demonstrated that
survival depends on diversification when they successfully
established a business enterprise in their new homeland. In
1975, following the death of her husband, Mrs. Wolchuk joined
her family members in Winnipeg, devoting herself to benevolent
activities for them.
Olena Wolchuk worked tirelessly with young
people and never refused assistance to anyone who called upon
her cultural and informational resources. |
Compiled by Mary Cherneskey & Vera Labach
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