Tony is the second youngest child of a family of twelve children of George and Mary (née Yurkiw) Harras. He received his elementary education at Cheremosh School near Usherville, Saskatchewan, and his secondary education at Sturgis Composite High School in Sturgis, Saskatchewan. Tony earned a Bachelor of Engineering with Great Distinction in Electrical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Further to his academic degrees, Tony also received the Queen’s Commission in the RCAF as a Flight Lieutenant.

Dr. Harras was employed by the Saskatchewan Power Corporation from 1968 to 1999, reaching the position of Vice-President in 1988. He has dedicated considerable time and energy to his profession, to heritage languages, and to the enhancement of the Ukrainian-Canadian culture of Saskatchewan and Canada.

Tony continues to be involved with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at the local and national level. He served on many committees, and in the capacities of director, secretary, vice-president and president of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Regina. Presently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Foundation. Tony chaired the planning committee for the Descent of the Holy Spirit Personal Care Home, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the Personal Care Home.

Tony is a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) National Board of Directors, and the UCC – Saskatchewan Provincial Council Immigration Committee. He has served on the UCC-SPC Nation Builders Committee since its inception in 1995, chairing the committee from 2001 to 2008. He held various executive positions including president of the UCC Regina Branch. He served as president of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association of Canada from 2003 to 2009. For more than twenty years, he chaired the Steering Committee of the Saskatchewan Organization of Heritage Languages (SOHL).

Tony has received many awards, including the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and the City of Regina Community Volunteer Medal.

Tony is married to Sharon; they have two adult sons: Matthew and Michael.

Gerald Seniuk is the son of the late Gregory and Maria Seniuk (née Hlibchuk). His parents immigrated to Canada from Western Ukraine in 1928. Gerald was born and raised in Saskatoon, where he received his elementary and high school education. He received his B.A. (1967) and LLB. (1969), both from the University of Saskatchewan.

Chief Judge Gerald Seniuk enjoyed a distinguished legal career spanning 40 years. He was appointed a Judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan in 1977. He was appointed Chief Judge as of January 1, 2001 and served in that capacity until retirement in January 2008. He continues, from time to time, to preside as a judge of the Court and as an Umpire hearing judicial review appeals.

During his career, Judge Seniuk contributed to judicial education programs provincially, nationally and internationally. His involvement has furthered judicial independence in Canada and abroad through the media of published articles, video productions and educational programs. One example is the development and training of faculty on Judicial Fact-Finding and Decision-Making that has been used by judicial educators in Canada and other Commonwealth countries. He has presented widely on a variety of judicial topics. These have included many international presentations as requested by countries such as Uganda, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.

Through the office of the Federal Commissioner for Judicial Affairs, he has acted as judicial consultant to the Canada-Ukraine Judicial Cooperation Project. This project continues in retirement. A major conference in 2002 on court restructuring with a national team of leaders produced a publication of learned articles. It provides a significant international document on the issue of court structure and public access.

Judge Seniuk presently is a member of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatchewan Provincial Council is pleased to recognize the broad spectrum of Judge Seniuk’s work at provincial, national and international levels. This work has contributed to the growth of judicial independence, the development of a strong judicial system and is a lasting legacy for democratic ideals in Canada and throughout the world.

Gerald is married to Jeralyn (née Stedman). They have two sons: Andrew and Mark.

Born to the late Gregory and Agnes (née Melnyk) Warnyca, Orest was raised on the family farm near Montmartre, Saskatchewan. He completed high school in Regina, followed by Bachelor of Arts and Education degrees earned at the University of Regina. After a short career in banking and accounting, Orest joined the Regina Board of Education from which he retired as a school principal after 34 years of service.

Orest’s involvement with the Ukrainian Orthodox community of Regina includes serving as a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium building committee and as president of the operating committee for many years, president of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Regina, and currently as manager for the Ukrainian Orthodox Housing Corporation (Selo Gardens). He serves on the local and provincial executives of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association, and has served on the national executive of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada for six years, playing lead roles in organizing three national conventions. Orest is the Saskatchewan representative on the Ukrainian Fraternal Society of Canada.

Some thirty years ago, Orest was a founding member and president of the Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble. He helped organize the Ensemble’s three performance tours to Ukraine. Orest is currently serving his third term as president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Regina Branch. His leadership in organizing and promoting the 75th anniversary of the 1932-33 Holodomor famine-genocide in Ukraine was recognized by President Yushchenko with a Government of Ukraine medal for “noble work and virtue”.

Orest served as president of the Regina Multicultural Council, the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS), and the Saskatchewan Multicultural Centre Association. He continues to coordinate the program for the international visitors to the Canadian Western Agribition. Orest is UCC-SPC’s appointee to the University of Regina Senate.

Awards received include: Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada, Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada Award of Excellence, City of Regina Mayor’s Volunteer Award, Saskatchewan Culture’s Volunteer Award, MCoS Award “In recognition of Outstanding Contribution made to Multiculturalism in the Province of Saskatchewan”, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, the City of Regina Police Award for cultural assistance, and recently the Medal for Meritorious Work and Achievement presented by the Ammbassador of Ukraine to Canada.

Orest is married to Gwen; they have three adult daughters: Carolyn, Carla and Karen.

Creativity & Innovation / Leadership

Michael Dutchak was the son of Paul and Rose Dutchak of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. Michael’s formal education was displaced by his enthusiastic entrepreneurial spirit and an innovative business sense. At age twelve, Michael was seen in a horse and buggy, selling calendars and fish, and buying beer bottles and horse hair. At age seventeen Michael enrolled in a barbering school in Saskatoon, and thereafter set up a barbershop in Blaine Lake, charging 25 cents for a haircut and a shave. At age 21 he enlisted in the army during the Second World War. Michael was stationed first at Dundurn, then Port Alberni and finally Esquimalt where he spent 4 1/2 years barbering. It was during this time he met and married Ida Anderson, who became his partner in business. In 1946 the young couple moved back to Blaine Lake to buy the CNR cafй from his father. For the next ten years Michael sold appliances out of the store and Ida was the chief cook and waitress.

While in the army Michael studied basic first aid. After returning to Blaine Lake he was often called upon to treat and/or transport the sick or injured to the nearest hospital. In 1957, Michael devoted himself full-time to transporting patients in his black station wagon. His farthest trip was from St. Paul’s hospital to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This trip broke in his first brand new “ambulance”. He stayed there two weeks waiting to bring the patient back whom he charged a total sum of $450. In 1959 Michael became a founding director of the Saskatchewan Road Ambulance Association, which provided guidance, support and a common voice for road ambulance services in Saskatchewan. In the early ’70s Michael, with the assistance of his now adult children, expanded his ambulance services to Spiritwood, Prince Albert and finally Saskatoon where the North Central Ambulance Association was created to become the largest privately owned ambulance service in Canada.

From humble beginnings, ambulance services were expanded to include classes in Red Cross First Aid, CPR, Canadian Safety Council ATV, and safety training to local schools. Most of the ambulance services created by Michael are still owned and operated by his children and grandchildren. Michael once said, “If someone points my way saying, ‘there’s the guy who saved my life,’ that’s satisfaction enough for me.”

Michael and Ida had four children.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Stan is the son of the late Michael and Anna (née Klopoushak) Hawryliw. He received his elementary and high school education in Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, then attended Regina Teachers’ College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan.

At an early age, Stan became involved in activities within the Ukrainian community, both as a participant and a leader. These included the Ukrainian Canadian Youth Association (CYMK), Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Camp, Ukrainian dancing, diverse musical activities, cultural arts (particularly embroidery techniques) and language instruction.

Stan’s professional teaching career encompassed close to thirty years. He taught for 26 years with the Saskatoon Public School Board with a focus on music, art and drama for grades four to eight. He was instrumental in organizing ukulele and art workshops. His music and art students frequently performed publicly in competitions and shows.

Music has always been a strong component in Stan’s life. His musical heritage began at home within a musical family. In 1978, his father directed a senior choir; in 1995, Stan assumed his father’s role and became director of the Dibrova Ukrainian Folk Ensemble. In 2004, he produced an album of his favourite Ukrainian folk songs. Stan arranges music for the ensemble and collects Ukrainian music. He has been a singer with many choral groups in Saskatoon. Presently, he sings with the Saskatoon Men’s Chorus and the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Choir.

Stan has published two song books in Lviv, Ukraine. The first, a collection of Ukrainian folk songs, was published in 2002 and is entitled Пiсня Буде Помiж Нас (The Song Will Be Within Us). The second, Колядки та Щедрiвки (Carols and Shchedrivky) published in 2005, is a collection of 140 Ukrainian Christmas Carols and New Year’s songs with accompanying musical notation and text.

Stan has travelled to Ukraine on varied teaching and philanthropic missions. These included volunteer teaching of English as a second language in Horodenka, and overseeing sponsorship programs in several regions. In 2004 he was an international observer for the presidential election in Ukraine.

The qualities of creativity and innovation are exemplified in the life and work of Stan Hawryliw. He has been a teacher, mentor and inspiring role model across generations within the Ukrainian and larger Canadian communities.

Stan is married to Patricia, who shares his passion for Ukrainian arts and culture.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Albert is the son of Rudolph and Pauline (née Tymchuk) Kachkowski. At an early age his family moved to Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan where he completed his elementary and high school education.

After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with Bachelors of Arts and Education degrees, Al was in the teaching profession until 1970. He then became the Rector of St. Petro Mohyla Institute where he was involved in the establishment of the Ukrainian Summer Immersion Program. In 1979 Albert became the Development Officer of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Saskatoon Branch). In 1984 he became the Executive Director of that institution. From 1989 to 1992 he served as Director of Public Relations at the Museum. He has since served continuously as the secretary of the Ukrainian National Association. Since 1996 he has been the Development Coordinator of the Taras Shevchenko Foundation where he played an integral role in developing and initiating the Kobzar Fellowship.

Al’s volunteer involvements are extensive and ongoing. He devoted countless hours to the planning, organizing, fundraising and building of Saskatoon’s All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Furthermore, he was one of the individuals responsible for the establishment of the Brotherhood of Sts. Boris and Hlib at All Saints. The many hours he devotes to the organization has contributed greatly to its continued success. He also helped in the start-up of the Brotherhood’s sponsored Karpaty Pavilion at Saskatoon’s Folkfest.

Albert’s early involvement in the Ukrainian community included teaching Ukrainian and Sunday school in Melville, Saskatchewan. He acted as an advisor to CYMK -- Ukrainian Canadian Youth Association -- both locally and nationally. He has served in many executive capacities including secretary of Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian, treasurer of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatchewan Provincial Council, president of TYC – Saskatoon and president of the Saskatoon Ukrainian Business and Professional Club. Albert was one of the founding members of Saskatoon’s Vesna Festival and his knowledge of Ukrainian talent from across North America lead to the engagement of many of the performers at Vesna, contributing greatly to the early success of the Festival. He has authored numerous newspaper articles chronicling Ukrainian community activities in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

Internationally, Al has been a delegate to the Ukrainian World Congress convention and served as an international observer in Ukraine during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election.

Albert is married to Cecilia (Cec), a 2006 Community Recognitions Award Recipient. They have two children: Taras and Marusia.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Catherine was born to Dmytro and Maryna (née Podollan) Werboweski. She grew up on the family farm, the eldest of five children, graduating from the Kamsack Collegiate. She attended Regina Normal School and the University of Saskatchewan. In Saskatoon she resided at St. Petro Mohyla Institute, where she became totally immersed and involved in Ukrainian culture.

Catherine taught in Clair, Stornoway and Parkerview, bringing to these communities Ukrainian after-school programs. From 1952 to 1982, Catherine was employed by the Yorkton School District, and for the last 20 years at Simpson School. As an exceptional classroom teacher, she established a “resource room” concept which continued after her retirement. She was instrumental in providing a multicultural aspect to all musicals and concerts for the students. Catherine always found time to run Ukrainian classes after school. In her retirement, she dedicated many evenings, tutoring and teaching English to teens and adults of Ukrainian immigrant families who made Yorkton their home.

In 1991, Catherine chaired Yorkton’s Celebrations of the Centennial of Ukrainians in Canada. After the year’s events concluded, with support from UCC-SPC, Catherine was instrumental in helping to establish Yorkton’s UCC branch. As an active member, she continues to help organize local events and promote Ukrainian dance ensembles, visiting choirs, and other cultural groups.

Catherine’s affiliation with the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada spans more than 50 years both locally and provincially. As president and charter member of the Kamsack local, involvement and active membership continues today with the Olena Pchilka Branch in Yorkton, where she held numerous positions over the years. As president and with her interest in education and culture, she was instrumental in establishing a scholarship program through the UWAC for graduating high school students in Yorkton. Perhaps her greatest contributions were in the role of Educational and Cultural chairperson for this group as she continually researched Ukrainian literature, stories, and political issues for presentation.

Catherine is a choir member and is active in the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Superannuated Teachers Association, Busy Bee Club, and supporter of the Yorkton Arts Council. She is a strong advocate of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, St. Petro Mohyla Institute, St. Andrew’s College and UCC.

Catherine stands as an excellent example and support to her family, friends, church, Ukrainian heritage and our province. Catherine and her late husband Norman had one son, Wayne.

Leadership / Volunteerism

Paul is the son of George and Katherine (née Komarnisky) Bunka.

He attended elementary and high school in Saskatoon, then moved to Moose Jaw where he worked for six years.

Paul was a ticketed welder and his work-life was spent plying that trade firstly in refinery construction in Moose Jaw, then from 1964 to 1972 with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters in Saskatoon, following which he was employed by SaskPower until his retirement in 1997.

Paul has tirelessly dedicated countless hours to a variety of Ukrainian church and cultural organizations. Whether it is providing night security duties at St. Volodymyr Childrens’ Eparchial Camp, working on renovations and maintenance jobs for St. George’s Cathedral, being the Ambassador for the Kyiv Pavilion at Saskatoon’s Folkfest, or performing Hetman duties for the Bayda Vyshnevetsky Kozaks at Ukraine Day in the Park, Paul’s commitment is total. He believes in the strength and value of upholding traditions and emphasizes the necessity for following correct protocol and procedure. He has a keen appreciation, pride and love of Ukrainian traditions and promotes them in both the religious and cultural realms.

Paul has been a member of many Ukrainian and broader community organizations including: the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada (president of Bishop Roborecki Branch from 1993 to 2000 and eparchial president 2000 to 2002 and 2007 to the present), the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatoon Branch (president from 2000 to 2005), Ukrainian Canadian Social Services – Saskatoon Branch (treasurer from 1998 to 2005), Vesna Festival, the Bayda Kozaks (currently serving as president), Power Pioneers Association of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. He was the Kyiv Pavilion’s delegate for the Folkfest board from 1998 to 2002.

While president of the UCC – Saskatoon Branch, the membership of organizations increased from five to eighteen. Further, the men’s and women’s UCCs were amalgamated into a single branch. Paul also oversaw the process which saw the drafting and adoption of a new constitution and by-laws for the organization. Under his presidency, the Saskatoon Branch established the Ukraine Day in the Park outdoor festival.

In recognition of his efforts relating to Ukrainian Canadian Social Services he received the organization’s Merit Service Award in 1999. The Bayda Kozaks named Paul as “Kozak of the Year” for 2003. UCBC awarded Paul the Order of Merit in 2001 and the Order of the Knights of St. Volodymyr in 2004.

Paul and his wife Linda, who unfortunately passed away in 1993, had six children.

Leadership / Volunteerism

Glen was born to Metro & Olga (née Boyko) Tymiak. He attended elementary school in Tadmore, high school in Sturgis, Teachers’ College in Regina and received B.Ed. and B.A. degrees from the University of Saskatchewan.

His teaching career of 33 years began in Estevan. He then moved to Yorkton’s Catholic schools and spent 24 years as principal at St. Mary’s School. Glen’s strong commitment to Ukrainian culture and its promotion involved him with the Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian (STU) Curriculum Committee, and as provincial Treasurer for STU. In 1994 Glen participated in the Ukraine-Canada Educational Conference in Ukraine. Glen retired in June 1995 but continues as a substitute and is a continuing member of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan.

Glen has been a member of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton since 1965, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Council Board member, St. Michael’s Camp Board member, St. Mary’s Cultural Centre Board Member and Assistant Manager since 1996.

A member of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada since 1973, Glen has served as branch president and treasurer, as National vice-president and Eparchial president, and is currently president-elect of National UCBC. He was instrumental in compiling the UCBC National Directory in 2000 and 2006, and in printing and distributing the UCBC bookmark crosses for the past twelve years. He compiled and printed the Rosary Cards which are used by many parishes throughout the eparchy.

Glen is a member of the Knights of Columbus – Father Delaere Council, and is a 4th Degree of the Bro. Stanislav Council in Yorkton. Other boards that have received or continue to receive Glen’s time are: the Ukrainian Professional and Business Association in Yorkton, the Saskatchewan Catholic Health Corporation, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Yorkton Housing Corporation, and the Yorkton Stamp Club.

Glen and his wife Lena share an interest in gardening and have received the “Best Vegetable Garden” Award fourteen times. Glen is on the Boards of the Yorkton Horticultural Society, and the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association, currently serving as president.

Glen has been awarded the UCBC Order of the Knights of St. Volodymyr in 2001, the Eparchial 50th Anniversary Lady of Victory Medallion in 2006, and the UCBC Order of Merit Award in 2007.

Glen and Lena were blessed with two children: daughter Lori and son Geof.

Youth Achievement

Carissa is the daughter of Larry (Community Recognition Award Recipient – 2008) and Alicia Klopoushak.

Carissa attended elementary and high school in Saskatoon. She speaks Ukrainian fluently and was very involved in the Ukrainian Summer School offered at St. Petro Mohyla Institute as a student, then as counsellor, and finally as director of the program.

Carissa has contributed much to the Ukrainian community musically. In addition to singing in her church choir, she taught music and choral at the Green Grove summer church camp, was a member of the Lastiwka Choir for 12 years, and performed at many celebratory events and festivals as a member of the ensemble “Zvook” and the “TYT I TAM” dance band. She was acknowledged for her activity within the Ukrainian community as the inaugural recipient of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada’s “Diane Ortynsky Memorial Bursary”.

Carissa was a member of the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra (1995-2000) and served as concertmaster during her last two years. She was the alto section leader of the University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers, became the principal second violinist in the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the Prairie Virtuosi chamber orchestra. She is a distinguished performer as an instrumentalist and vocalist in Canada and Ukraine. In addition to the violin, she plays drums, electric bass, mandolin, sopilka, and guitar.

Carissa graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree (Great Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004 and completed her Masters Degree in music at McGill University in 2008. Carissa is currently working on her Doctorate in Performance Studies (Violin) at McGill. She has received numerous scholarships and awards and twice garnered the U of S Department of Music – Murray Adaskin Music Award as the student who contributed the most to the advancement of music in the community through works with University band, choral groups and other service activities to the public. Carissa won the prestigious Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition in May of 2009 receiving reviews that noted she was “the complete package of sensitive and powerful musicianship, effortless technique and a charismatic and engaging stage presence.”

She has been described as a “natural leader” and is admired and respected by both her peers and mentors for her talents, sense of commitment, energy and enthusiasm in all that she has brought to the community.