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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

 


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
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.


Photo Album

Boyko with Kobrynsky
UCC-SPC President Adrian Boyko presents Nation Builders Award to Lillian Kobrynsky

Boyko with Malisky
Adrian Boyko with Award recipient Katherine Malisky
Boyko with Tkachuk
Mary Tkachuk receives Award from Adrian Boyko
 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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