Thirtieenth Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence

P. Semenuik

UCC Yorkton President Harry Kardynal (left) and Combined Choir

"O Great and One Almighty God, protect our Motherland Ukraine". All patriotic Ukrainians pray for the land of their forefathers, and with this intent, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Yorkton Branch, organized a Commemorative Thirteenth Anniversary of the Proclamation of Ukraine's Independence, which was held on Sunday, August 22/04 at St. Mary's Cultural Centre, at 3 P.M. Because of uncertain weather conditions, it was decided to have it indoors instead of at the Ukrainian Pioneer Park as was the case in all previous years.

A Thanksgiving Prayer Service was served by Rev. Father Methodius Kushko, CSsR from the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Rev. Father Roman Kocur from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Members of a combined choir, from both parishes, under the direction of Mr. Eugene Hnatiuk, sang the responses during the Moleben and Memorial Prayer Service.

Program Chairperson, Merle Maximiuk, co-ordinated this afternoon's items which were as follows:

Merle Maximiuk

• Ms. Maximiuk read a brief resume of the inception of the Ukrainian Pioneer Park to recollect that 2004 is the tenth year of its existence, being developed in total co-operation with the Yorkton City Council. Mayor Phil De Vos, on behalf of City Council, brought warm greetings in this regard. We also received from MP Gary Breitkreuz a certificate of recognition of the 10th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Pioneer Park as a Tribute to our early Ukrainian immigrants.

• Ukrainian dance students Mary and Jessica from the Willowbrook Veselka Dancers

• Instrumental orchestra organized by Mr. Reinhold Hrushka with his talented group of Emil Minken, and Mike & Betty Baraneski

• Alexis, solo dance, from Vesnianka Academy of Ukrainian Dance from Saskatoon

• Timothy and Stephanie from the Yorkton Troyanda Dance Ensemble

Karen Pidskalny

• Our guest speaker, Karen Pidskalny from Saskatoon, as a current researcher with the Saskatchewan Ukrainian Historical Society, reiterated the congenial and informative "In Baba's Trunk" Conference held in Saskatoon; she encouraged us to further research and preserve our precious ancestral heritage

• The Combined Choir, directed by Mr. E. Hnatiuk, sang several songs during the program

Many, many words of gratitude are expressed to co-ordinator Ms. Maximiuk, our parish priests, all those individuals who volunteered their time and commitment to participate; to St. Mary's Cultural Centre staff and administration and to all people in attendance for making this important commemoration a success.

Our program concluded with singing of the Ukrainian national anthem and prayer before the pot-luck supper.