Edward Dmytro Bayda is the son of Dmytro Andrew and Mary (Bilinski). Following elementary school, he attended City Park Collegiate in Saskatoon. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951 and two years later received his Bachelor of Laws Degree. He was admitted to the Bar in 1954.

Edward Bayda spent the next two decades practising civil and criminal law. Having graduated cum laude, it was his choice where to article. Fortunately, he chose to stay in Saskatchewan and began his distinguished career with MacPherson Leslie and Tyerman in Regina. As a young lawyer, he chose to move to Yorkton to work in a small law firm that offered him a wide variety of legal experience, from drafting wills to litigating criminal charges. After two years, Edward returned to Regina to work with Fredrick Johnson. The two personalities matched perfectly with a mixture of competiveness and communal ethos.

He served the legal profession as President of the Regina Bar Association, and Chair of the civil justice section of the provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association and as a bencher of the Law Society. He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1966, to the Court of Queen’s Bench in 1972, and to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in 1974. In 1981 Edward became the 7th Chief Justice of Saskatchewan. Edward was the youngest person ever to be appointed, the first Saskatchewan-born Chief Justice, and the first of Ukrainian descent to become the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice Bayda’s name is synonymous with significant judicial issues that faced Saskatchewan. Under his leadership, Saskatchewan developed one of the most respected Courts of Appeal in the nation. He made his mark early as Chief Justice in one of the most momentous cases to come before Canadian Courts -- determining through the interpretation and application of the Charter of Rights the extent to which the State might lawfully infringe on individual freedoms.

In recognition of his accomplishments, both the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina bestowed upon him honorary doctorates of Law. He is the recipient of many awards including the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2008.

After serving 25 years as Chief Justice of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Edward Bayda returned to the private practice of law.

Judge Bayda and wife Theresa Yvonne had six children.

Boris is an engineering and management consultant plus a visionary community activist. He has been an inspirational and innovative leader and role model in his professional and community activities for more than 50 years.

In 1956, he began his career as a Design Engineer at Canadair Ltd. in Montreal. In 1957 he moved to Ottawa and began a career in consulting which he continues today in the firm of Engineering Management Services Croscan Limited.

His community service began in organizations such as the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International where he served in executive positions.

Education has been Boris’ continuing interest. Boris served as a Trustee of the Saskatoon Board of Education. He was Chair of the Saskatoon Council for Continuing Education. He served as Chair, Saskatoon Region Community College Advisory Council. Boris was an Adjunct Professor in the International Business Studies Program in the College of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan for over ten years. For nine of those years, he accompanied and mentored six Masters of Business Administration international business students per year in Ukraine. The students were sponsored by Saskatchewan business firms who were interested in making contacts with similar firms in Ukraine.

A lasting legacy of Boris’ is the Canada-Ukraine Centre Inc., created in 2000. The mandate of the Centre is to establish contacts with Ukraine in the areas of business and technology. As President of the Centre, he has promoted business, technical and educational opportunities for citizens of Canada and Ukraine. Fifteen agencies from government, academia, research, trade and economic development currently support the work of the Canada-Ukraine Centre, Inc.

Saskatchewan health care has benefited from Boris’ skills and expertise. During the 1980s and 1990s, he served as Chair, Saskatoon District Advisory Committee on Long Term Care. This work has served as the basis for the present structure of the Saskatoon Health Region and other health regions in the province. He also provided engineering expertise to many health care facilities in the province.

Boris was a founding member of the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Saskatoon. He served as Parish President for five years. He facilitated growth and harmony among parish members and established viable youth programming.

Boris is the son of John and Anastasia (Gabora) Kishchuk. He married Marie Maduke in 1956. They have raised five children: Natalie, Daniel, Barbara, Thomas and Paul.

Pavlo Romanovich Yavorsky’s lasting legacy may be summed up as his unflagging commitment to building the Ukrainian spirit across Canada. Pavlo was the sixth of twelve children in the Yavorsky family, leaving home as a teenager to complete his education and to develop his creative talents primarily in the multi-faceted Ukrainian culture.

At the tender age of seventeen, Pavlo started work as an organizer for the Ukrainian Canadian Youth Association (CYMK), organizing the first CYMK branch in Norquay, Saskatchewan in 1932. By the end of 1937, under Pavlo’s leadership, fifty-three branches of CYMK were organized from British Columbia to Quebec, with the clear aim to safeguard Ukrainian language, culture, traditions and the faith of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, plus fostering a vision of self-reliance, initiative and self-respect. This was no small feat considering that the organizers had no steady source of income during the difficult times of the Great Depression. He was an enthusiastic organizer of youth conferences and served as a role model for countless young Ukrainians striving to develop careers in the business and professional world of Canada.

In 1937, after seeing the film, ‘Natalka Poltavka’ Pavlo Yavorsky began to work with Vasile Avramenko in his film production, ‘Cossacks in Exile’. His position expanded to include media liaison, public relations, dance instructor, script writer and performer in multiple roles. During the 1930s, Pavlo also served as a dance instructor with Vasile Avramenko and toured with him across Canada. In 1943, Pavlo served as a film consultant for the National Film Board’s production of ‘Ukrainian Dance’. He served in the Canadian Army during the Second World War, following which he worked for Canadian Customs until his retirement. Throughout the decades until his death in 1998, Pavlo Yavorsky was a regular correspondent in Ukrainian publications on varied subjects including multiculturalism, politics, current events, arts and literature plus other topics of historical significance.

During his lifetime, Pavlo served as Secretary and then President, Ukrainian Self-Reliance League (CYC), Eastern Executive; Member, Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada; and, President, Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association, Montreal Branch. His life is documented in the book, Show Them What You Can Do.

In recognition of his distinguished service and accomplishments, we are most pleased to posthumously recognize and honour Pavlo Romanovich Yavorsky as a Nation Builder.

Volunteerism and Cultural Preservation & Development

Alice is the daughter of Peter and Pauline (Filipchuk) Oucharek. She received her elementary schooling in a one-room school at Vionne, high school at Calder High School, and business college and the Yorkton Collegiate Institute.

In 1959 Alice married Clarence Derow. They both began working in Melville and later in Winnipeg. The couple moved to Canora in 1961.

Alice became an active member at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Her dedication to the various parish projects netted her the ‘Dedicated Participant’s Trophy’ for the dramatization of the ‘Mystery of the Passion of Christ’ in 2005.

Alice joined the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (UCWLC) in 1962 and has held executive positions of President and Treasurer. She was nationally recognized for her time spent with historical and cultural Archives and Publicity for the UCWLC.

In 1971 Alice joined the church choir and is still singing. She is also responsible for recruiting epistle readers and offeratory officers. She became an Eparchial Executive member in 1989 and continued to serve in various Eparchial positions, culminating with being chosen as Eparchial President and Commissioner for the years 2003-2005. In 2004, she was instrumental in organizing the National 60th Anniversary of UCWLC in Canora.

Since 1971 Alice has dedicated time to the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Canora Branch. She has participated in and supported the Ukrainian Arts Festival, the Ukrainian Community Choir and all Malanka programs. After the disaster in Chornobyl, Alice was instrumental in organizing a UCWLC aid blitz for the victims in Ukraine. In 1992 Canora was chosen to host the 100th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada. Alice involved herself by serving on many committees to facilitate this celebration.

Alice has been significantly involved in the preservation of the Ukrainian culture, arts and the language. Specifically she has participated in the formation of the Canora Veselka Dance School and Ridna Shkola. As a member of Canora Tourism, she has been instrumental in organizing bus tours to the Dauphin Ukrainian National Festival, Vesna Festival, Konkurs competitions, province-wide pilgrimages as well as tours to Ukraine.

Alice joined the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in 1962 and has been bestowed Life Member status.

Alice and Clarence are blessed with seven children and were actively involved in all organizations in which their children participated.

Volunteerism and Cultural Preservation & Development

Harry Kardynal was born in Muchawaka, Ukraine to Filip and Teklia Kardynal. In 1939 the Kardynal family emigrated to Canada, settling in the Amsterdam district, north of Canora. Later the family moved to a farm north of Saltcoats. Harry attended numerous rural schools, completing high school in Saltcoats. Following completion of Teachers College in Moose Jaw, Harry began a lengthy career as a teacher while at the same time completing his studies for his Education degree. Even though Harry spent more than half of his teaching career as the school principal, he never left the classroom environment and in virtually every school he taught Ukrainian, initially after-hours and later as part of the formal curriculum. He passionately believed that one’s ethnicity was integrally entwined with language, which he promoted throughout his entire life, even in his second retirement in Yorkton.

Harry was appreciative and grateful for the opportunities provided by his new homeland; in response he started contributing back to society at a very early age. During the war years, as a young student, Harry would ride his bicycle or his horse to collect for the Canadian Red Cross.

In virtually every school community Harry’s leadership abilities were acknowledged; he was elected secretary, treasurer or president of the teachers’ associations. The community sought his talents in a vast variety of roles: Boy Scout Leader, President of Saltcoats Agricultural Society, the Snow Plow Club, and the Multicultural Council of Yorkton to name but a few.

Harry was committed to his church, serving St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on the Board, in the choir, as a Director of the Cultural Centre, President of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood and secretary of the Knights of Columbus.

Harry served the larger Ukrainian community as the President of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Yorkton Branch.

Harry chose to spend over 36 years on a farm where his entire family was involved in growing crops, raising animals from cattle and horses to geese and turkeys. The Agricultural Society presented his family with a plaque for his unique yard.

More recently Harry exhibited his athletic abilities by participating in Senior Games at the local, provincial, national and Masters and in the process earned 24 medals.

Harry is married to Evelyn (Hydeman); they are blessed with three sons, two daughters and eleven grandchildren.

Leadership in Cultural Preservation & Development

Music is in Larry’s soul. For 40 years, his dedication and commitment to Ukrainian choral music has inspired thousands. Through his tireless leadership and mentoring he has shared his vision, wisdom and his love of music with audiences throughout Saskatchewan, Canada and abroad.

The Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Choir and Orchestra have been under his tutelage for 25 years. Lastiwka excites audiences with colourful choreography, and energetic sound. Their repertoire includes sacred and folk music: from the Kozak era to interpretations of Taras Shevchenko’s poetry; from the piety of the Divine Liturgy to the majesty of Bortniansky’s sacred concert; from the melodies of the past to contemporary sounds. A 1967 performance by the Veryovka Ukrainian State Folk Ensemble at Expo ’67 in Montreal was a catalyst for Larry’s performing and conducting Ukrainian music. In turn, Larry has inspired others with his musical talents and leadership.

Currently, Larry is a high school music and drama teacher at Walter Murray Collegiate in Saskatoon. He has directed the choir at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Saskatoon for 37 years.

He began his musical training with the study of piano and accordion. He also participated in CYMK folk singers, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir, Pavlychenko Dancers, as well as high school musicals and jazz band. These activities formed the foundation for his love of music, especially Ukrainian.

A vibrant bass-baritone, Larry has studied voice with Dorothy Howard, Greta Clark and Maureen Forrester. He completed his Bachelor of Education at the University of Regina in 1978 and his Bachelor of Music at the University of Saskatchewan in 1989. He has performed major roles with the Regina and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras in Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah’. He has also performed with the University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers, Saskatoon Chamber Singers, Saskatoon Opera Association, Saskatoon Summer Players, Saskatoon Men’s Chorus, Sask Sings Chamber Choir and the Grace Westminster Dinner Theatre.

He has had workshops or master classes with Anatolij Avdievsky (director of the Veryovka Ensemble of Kyiv), Andrij Kushnirenko (director of the Bukovynian Ensemble in Chernivtsi), the Lviv Chamber Choir and Holos (Chernivtsi). He has also worked with conducting greats such as John Aldis, Elmer Eisler, Jon Washburn and James Fankhauser.

Larry’s parents are Stanley and Anne (Hankewich) Klopoushak. Larry is married to Alicia (Syrnick). They have two children, Carrisa and Mark.

Leadership in Cultural Preservation & Development

Olga is the daughter of Fred and Anna (Ikaliuk) Kalyn and was raised on the family farm in the Hafford district. After completing her high school and post secondary education, she came to the Dominion district near Richard as a young teacher in 1947. This small community would soon realize her energy, enthusiasm and desire to preserve and nurture its Ukrainian heritage.

Olga met her husband Roman in this community and stayed to teach, mentor and share her many gifts and talents. She channelled her musical abilities by leading, directing and coordinating many concerts. Olga was always involved with the youth and under her leadership emerged the formation of the Whitkow-Redfield CYMK. This group of young people were given the opportunity, under her direction, to enhance their knowledge of their Ukrainian heritage. Involving the youth in learning the art of dance, writing of pysanky, making the traditional breads, learning folksongs, and reading the prose and poetry of Ukrainian authors will forever remain in the hearts and minds of the young people she instructed.

Olga has been an active member and choir director of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church since 1949. Recordings were made of the choir, special performances were arranged in the communities of the Parish District and all the music was written by hand for all the voices (since this was before the advent of photocopiers!). Over the years she coordinated many Mother’s Day, Taras Shevchenko and St. Nicholas concerts. Given her gift and talent of music, she accepted the choir director’s position when the Millennium Choir was formed in the North Battleford Parish District. This choir performed for Metropolitan Wasyly during the millennium celebrations in 1988 to commemorate the 1000 years of Christianity in Ukraine.

Olga has maintained her membership in the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada for 58 years. During this time she has held most executive positions and also served on the Provincial UWAC executive. In 2000, she was honoured by the National UWAC with a Certificate of Recognition for 50 years of dedicated membership and service.

The community in which she lives has benefited from her role as a volunteer, canvassing for charitable organizations, or being an advisory parent in the school her children attended.

Olga and Roman have three children, Myron, Pat and Wesley. They are also blessed with four great-grandchildren.

Leadership in Cultural Preservation & Development

MaryAnn was born in Canora to Paul and Doreen (Gregory) Ortynsky. She grew up in a community-minded family with sisters Dianne, Lesia and Audrey. She graduated from the Canora Composite High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan. She has practised pharmacy in Yorkton for 28 years.

As President, for fifteen years, of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, sponsored by the Olena Pchilka Ukrainian Women’s Association, she worked with committed individuals to create a vibrant and respected Ukrainian dance club. The executive has always challenged the dancers by teaching choreography from the many regions of Ukraine, thereby increasing the dancers’ appreciation of the diversity and richness of Ukrainian culture. Instilling in the dancers a sense of community has always been important and she has encouraged them to give back to the community through performances, charitable appearances or simply by exhibiting their pride in being Ukrainians.

Taking on leadership roles has enabled MaryAnn to promote Ukrainian culture by incorporating Ukrainian traditions in ceremonies held within the community. Two of her favourite projects were a Ukrainian Fashion Pageant on the history of Ukrainians in the Yorkton area (working with the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Parish and priest) and producing a TV documentary on Ukrainian Christmas customs. MaryAnn has worked with Troyanda parents in hosting ‘Obzhynky’ annually in Yorkton and has had Troyanda perform at events such as the Western Premier’s Conference, Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn Event, National Leadership Student Conference, Dance and the Child International (The Hague) and Dance Saskatchewan’s annual Dare to Dance.

MaryAnn’s other involvements include the Provincial UWAC, the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Museum Society, University of Saskatchewan Senate for two terms, past president of the Canadian Federation of University Women, opening and closing ceremonies for the Summer Games held in Yorkton, organizing member with the Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Celebrations and Yorkton 125 Sub commission. As one of the original members of the Sunrise Health Foundation Gala she is working on its thirteenth fundraising Gala for the Region’s health facilities. MaryAnn’s involvement in the community also includes Yorkton Music Festival and the Yorkton Arts Council.

MaryAnn and her family are avid supporters of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Mohyla Institute and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

MaryAnn is married to Dr. Bernie and together they have raised 4 children, Greg, Devan, Taisa and Lucia.

Creativity & Innovation

William (Bill) Warnyca was born to Gregory and Agnes (Melnyk) Warnyca. In 1928 Bill’s family emigrated to the farming community of Candiac in Saskatchewan. Bill took over the family farm in 1954. He understood the challenges of farming sufficiently to believe and practise diversification as being the key to survival and thus began the development of his purebred cattle operation. In order to better care for cattle, Bill became a self-taught veterinarian, not only for his own herd, but as well for those of his fellow cattlemen.

Bill worked diligently to develop the cattle industry in Canada. He assisted the local 4-H Beef Club to ensure that the youth in the community understood cattle farming, he served as President of the Moosomin Hereford Breeders Association, was a Board member of the Saskatchewan Cattle Breeders Bull Test Station near Regina, and was a long-time member of Whitewood and Arcola Herford Breeders Association.

Bill was well known in the international cattle industry, particularly through the Canadian Western Agribition, as an exhibitor for over 30 years and the Regina Bull Sale as an exhibitor for 35 years. Annually, for more than a quarter century, his W-T-K Herefords Corporation held sales first at the Regina Exhibition Grounds, and then at his farm which became known as the place to purchase quality cattle with genetic excellence. Of the many prestigious awards he received, two are particularly noteworthy: the Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll (1989), and the Canadian Herford Association 50 Year Pin (2007).

While Bill embraced his new life in Canada, he never forgot his roots. He maintained his heritage through language and cultural activities both in his home and community. As a young man he served as President of the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Club and later took on the role of President of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Candiac, a position he held for 13 years. Bill dedicated his life to not only developing excellence in the cattle industry, but also making life better for his family and community. He served as a Councillor for the Rural Municipality of Montmartre for almost a decade and as a Deputy Reeve. Bill was also a Board member of the local Co-operative.

The same year Bill started farming, he married Michaelene Zrymiak and the couple are blessed with two children, Thomas and Kathryn.

Youth Achievement

Stacia is the youngest daughter of Diane (Boyko) and John Horbay and was raised in Saskatoon. She completed her elementary education at St. Goretti’s bilingual elementary school in 2000 and her high school at E. D. Feehan in 2004. Having completed her Arts degree in Native Studies, she is now enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan.

An active member of St. George’s Cathedral in Saskatoon, Stacia involves herself as a teacher of catechism and the first communion program. She is a member of the choir, a reader and participates in all parish events. Her devoted interest in the youth of the parish has had Stacia spending many hours as a councillor at the youth and cultural camps at St. Volodymyr Park. Representing her church, she was overjoyed to attend the World Youth Day in Toronto for Ukrainian Catholic Youth.

To help ensure that the Ukrainian culture is kept strong, Stacia shares her talents of song, language, customs and traditions with those around her. Since 2002 she has co-hosted a weekly Ukrainian hour-long radio program. She belongs to a female quartet ‘Tsyhanochky’, plays a number of musical instruments and coordinates the Malanka skits for the parish New Year celebrations. Another part of her commitment to her heritage is to bring the joy of Christmas carols to shut-ins and members of her community.

Stacia is an active member of the board for Musйe Ukraina Museum. She assists in fundraising and the development and delivery of various programs.

As a member of the broader community, Stacia contributes her time and talents to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, volunteers at the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op and assists children in the ESL program. She volunteers in many other capacities such as canvassing for the Food Bank and a classroom volunteer.

Stacia is a confident and caring young lady who offers her time and abilities to support and build her community. She is an outstanding role model because of her willingness to welcome, lead and support. Her church community benefits from her gentle spirit and cooperation. The cultural community benefits from her strong sense of her Ukrainian heritage and the broader community benefits from her eagerness to help where help is needed.

It is an honour to recognize Stacia Horbay with the Community Recognition Award for Youth Achievement for 2008.