Patricia (Wiwchar) Hawryliw is proud and passionate about her Ukrainian heritage and culture, which she shares with community. Educated in Saskatoon, she earned a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology and a B.Ed. majoring in Geography & minoring in Classroom Music from the University of Saskatchewan.

Pat has taught for 30 years in Saskatoon with the exception of two years in Germany with the Department of National Defence. Her love of music and teaching moved her to become the School Music coordinator, implementing a Ukulele program and directing the “HSM Pinafore” operetta; she also coordinated the Ecological School camping trips to surrounding lakes.

She was a founding member of the Greystone Singers, sang with the Quance and University Chorus, Saskatoon Chorale Society, Saskatoon Opera Society and Saskatoon Superannuated Teacher’s Chorus. The Orthodox Church is important to Pat. She served with the Cathedral CYMK from 1953-63 and CYMK provincial executive 1965-68, and participated in the church (for 60 years) and CYMK choirs. She performed with the CYMK choir at Expo ’67 in Montreal, in San Antonio in 1968 and around the province. Pat reorganized the CYMK choir in 1977/78 as it evolved into the Lastiwka Choir. She was awarded the “Golden Note” from the Sask Choral Federation in recognition of 50 years of active service to the choral arts of Saskatchewan. Pat is a mandolin player and instructor and a singer with the Dibrova Ukrainian Folk Ensemble.

Pat instructed classes and workshops (for children and parents) in embroidery, writing pysanky and the art of making and baking ritual breads at various schools, camps, Folkfest, Vesna Festival, Ukrainian Immersion Summer School at Mohyla Institute (coordinator in 1980) and Ukrainian Museum of Canada. She taught Ukrainian language classes at the Cathedral 1962-64 and 1980-93.

She holds various executive positions for the Cathedral UWAC, Olha Kobylianska Branch, coordinating various fund raisers. She represents the Branch at UCC meetings. She was a member of the founding group of Yevshan Dance Company.

Pat’s dedication to the local parish, schools and people extends to those in Ukraine. For ten years Pat has been involved with Nashi, a local fund raising group to help divert children in Ukraine from exploitation. She has travelled to Ukraine many times to teach English, and to set up and oversee sponsorship programs under Christian Child Care.

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Nestor and Doris (new Wintonyk) Wiwchar, she was raised in a supportive community that she continues to treasure. Pat and her husband Stan have co-published two books in Lviv: A Collection of Ukrainian Folk Songs (2002 and 2005), and A Collection of Koliady & Shchedriwky with an MP3 disk. They are presently working on a collection of songs and traditions for “Vinkopletennia and Vesilni Pisni”.

From his roots in the R.M. of Round Hill to attending high school while at Mohyla Institute, the seeds were planted for Slawko’s love of Ukrainian culture, community and faith. He has been actively involved in the community for over 60 years. He co-chaired the building of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was chair for the newly established Vesna Festival, long-time leader of the Karpaty Pavilion at Saskatoon Folkfest, past president of TYC, and chairperson of the 54th General Convention of the USRL of Canada. A dedicated volunteer to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Slawko has served as president of UCC-SB, where he increased membership, developed bylaws, articles of incorporation and chaired Ukrainian Day in the Park. He continued his time and efforts with two terms as UCC-SPC’s vice-president and has served as president since 2011. His strong marketing, organizational and leadership skills have helped shape UCC-SPC’s three-year strategic plan, along with marketing, communications, fundraising, and branch support and development plans.

In addition, Slawko has also raised wild boar, graduated from the Consensus Institute, and is a member of the Ukrainian Business and Professional Association of Saskatoon and owner of SJK Consulting.

Professionally, after Saskatoon Technical Collegiate he became a journeyman auto mechanic and service manager at Victory Motors, North Battleford. In 1964, he attended Teacher’s College and began teaching at the high school he had attended years earlier. There, he developed new programs and facilities to improve programming at Mount Royal and Walter Murray Collegiates. Later, at Victoria Elementary School he designed and piloted a new Industrial Arts program for Saskatoon’s public school system. He was awarded the Hilroy Fellowship for "Innovation in Education" and "Teacher of the Year" by the Industrial Education Association. Slawko retired after shaping policy and young lives for 31 years.

Slawko married Jean Palichuk and raised two children, Darren (Gillian) and Donni (David) whose three granddaughters grace his family tree. Sadly, Jean died in a vehicle accident in 1989. He met Carol Childerhose in 2001. They married in 2009. Sean (Kristy), Tiffany and D’Arcee joined the family. And he has recently been blessed by the arrival of another baby granddaughter.

Together, he and Carol are active in the Ukrainian community. They belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral congregation in Saskatoon, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, and the Kobzar Fellowship of the Shevchenko Foundation.

Slawko still enjoys cooking, reading in the fields of marketing and organizational development, ballroom dancing and comedians like Brent Butt and Bob Newhart.

From humble beginnings in Veregin, Saskatchewan, Nestor spent a lifetime as an exemplary role model for his family, friends, church, community and professional industry. His love of Ukrainian culture and faith was woven through all facets of his life earning him respect and recognition in whatever arenas he was involved.

Nestor attended various country schools, Yorkton Collegiate, and undergraduate studies at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As a student and young man he embraced his Ukrainian culture by being a member of CYMK, and establishing the Ukrainian Student’s Club Alpha Omega at the U of M. He continued his education in Saskatoon while staying at Mohyla Institute.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church had always been constant in Nestor’s life. He assumed various executive positions with CYMK, the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada and the Order of St. Andrew. Nestor helped preserve and promote Ukrainian culture and traditions and actively supported numerous Ukrainian organizations and community projects.

Nestor held several positions on local, provincial and national boards including the Saskatchewan Motor Club, Massey Ferguson and General Motors Dealers’ Councils and the General Motors President’s Council. Nestor and his brother Peter established Canora Central Motors in 1947, and in 2005 Nestor was honoured by General Motors for 50 years of dedicated service. The dealership, renamed Key Chevrolet Cadillac, remains a viable business in the community and continues to support community events.

Nestor was actively involved in many community organizations including the Canora Fire Brigade, Red Cross, Kiwanis Club and Masonic Order, Canora Agricultural Society and Chamber of Commerce.

He valued strong family ties, loved preparing meals for relatives every week and enjoyed the pleasures of home, garden and cottage life. He also loved visiting the dealership in Canora on a daily basis to stay in touch with his customers. He kept up-to-date with the latest automotive news and trends and enjoyed conversations with his sons on their business and automotive industry trends.

One of seven children born to Joseph and Mary (Chocholik), Nestor wed Jennie Lys on July 16, 1952. This loving union of 61 years proudly brought them two sons: Evan (Brenda) and their children Joseph, Nathan and Mikaila; and Terry (Linda) and their daughters Stephanie, Vanessa and Natalie.

While Fred tilled the soil, planted kernels and watched crops grow, he also spent a lifetime reaping and sowing the seeds of community, culture and charity. Unassuming and humble, this lifelong farmer quietly donated to important causes and strived to enrich his community. His upbringing provided him a special love and concern for medical aide to improve the quality of lives of untold Ukrainian children in Ukraine. Fred was guided by his philosophy of life: work hard, build community and give back to those in need. This moral compass served him well and he left an indelible mark on the rural landscape.

His upbringing had a great influence on his later interests in social and cultural philanthropy. Long-time member of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Melfort, he supported their many causes. This upbringing gave him a passion and interest in his parental homeland of Western Ukraine. The Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster in 1986 had a profound personal effect on him. Even though the nuclear reactor explosion occurred a considerable distance to the east of his parents’ homeland, Fred became keenly interested in the welfare of the thousands of people affected by the nuclear fallout. Fred inquired about land productivity, but worried particularly about the children and their welfare. Thus, Fred Tkachuk decided to help the children by bequeathing a gift through his estate to the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund. This fund aims to support medical research, social-health programs, and education in Ukraine. The fund has resulted in significant benefits for the medical professionals and improved the care provided for the sick children. It partners and brings Ukrainian doctors to Canada for specialized training and, in turn, increases the pediatric health care quality and capacity in Ukraine upon their return.

Fred Tkachuk was born and raised on the family farm in the Star City area on August 29, 1935 to William and Mary Tkachuk. After graduating from high school, he worked briefly in a bank and then he pursued his passion for farming full time with his parents. He retired to the City of Melfort following the tragic passing of his only sibling and sister. In the community, Fred was known and respected with many friends making time for visits, coffees and lively discussions of current events. Fred also had a passion for fishing and enjoyed filling his catch for the day. Tragically it was a fishing trip that took his life on June 21, 2010.

In recognition of his vision and philanthropy, we are most pleased to posthumously recognize and honour Fredrick W. Tkachuk as a Nation Builder.

Youth Achievement

From the very beginning, Nissa was immersed and raised with Ukrainian language, faith, and culture in her life. Her parents, Bohdan and Sylvia (Pryma) Baran, shared with Nissa a love for giving back to community. Currently, Nissa is recording secretary and Board member of Musée Ukraina Museum, on the executive of Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir and on the annual donor appreciation fundraising event for the Saskatoon Friends of the Shevchenko Foundation. She has spent most of her life involved in different organizations and activities. Early years in Plast, youth choir, Church, formal piano training, Ukrainian dance, jazz bands, and a 10-year membership with the renowned Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir helped to develop her confident work ethic, organizational abilities, and attention to detail. Leadership roles are a natural fit for her. During university her involvement and leadership skills were beyond her years. She was a pysanka workshop teacher; high school band assistant and basketball coach; St. Petro Mohyla language camp counsellor and a volunteer with projects at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Park, and more. She was also director, St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Eparchial Camp; member and athlete Water Polo Saskatoon; member Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian and TEMA newsletter editor. She volunteers her time with Nashi (Our Children) and has donated to the cause, raising money, fighting human trafficking and supporting a safe house project in Ukraine.

She participated in the Ukrainian bilingual program and with her family’s active participation in the Ukrainian community, passion for her roots grew. Having worked hard to hone her language skills, she was able to participate in the Chernivtsi Ukraine Student Exchange. This experience fuelled her desire to make return trips to Ukraine to feed her love of Ukrainian culture and faith so she could share even more. She received her Bachelor of Science Physics degree in 2005 from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Education majoring in mathematics, physics, and Ukrainian studies in 2007. After her internship at Esterhazy High School, a brief period on the substitute teaching list, she began teaching at Bishop Filevich Ukrainian Bilingual School in Saskatoon.

Nissa and husband Gavril Tarasoff are proud parents of Petro. Currently on maternity leave she is enjoying her time with Petro and continuing her active role in the Ukrainian community in Saskatoon.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Methodius Kushko has developed and cultivated a lifelong love of learning and adventure. This enabled him to achieve many educational and spiritual milestones while promoting his Ukrainian culture. As teacher, Redemptorist Father, priest, humanitarian, actor, civilian pilot and media personality he made the most of his many talents.

After Grade 12 at St. Joseph’s College in Yorkton, he attended Saskatchewan Teacher’s College. He taught for 11 years and was principal in many Saskatchewan schools. Hungry for more knowledge, Methodius received his Bachelor of Education degree (1962) and his Bachelor of Arts degree (1964) from the University of Saskatchewan. Next came a Bachelor of Theology degree (1967), University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus) with distinction from St. Paul’s University. His proudest educational achievement was his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honours (1992) from the University of Regina where he was also granted the rare status of "scholar".

Fr. Methodius Kushko’s spiritual journey began with the Redemptorist Fathers in Yorkton in 1965. He was ordained to the sub-diaconate and then diaconate in Toronto in 1970. In the summer of 1970 he was ordained into the priesthood at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton. He then served as a Ukrainian Catholic pastor in Roblin, Ituna, Preeceville, Newark and Hillside – New Jersey, USA and Moose Jaw. Today he serves as the Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Yorkton. All of his pastoral responsibilities have been characterized by compassion and a sincere desire in reaching out to the "poor and most abandoned". He held the honoured position of Spiritual Advisor to the National UCWLC and was a strong advocate in its promotion and advancement. Additionally, he is a long-time Knight of Columbus (4th Degree) and board member of Habitat for Humanity.

Proud of his Ukrainian culture, he promotes many rich traditions by offering Ukrainian language programs, broadcasting Christmas greetings in Ukrainian and English, and creating and hosting The Ukrainian Hour on the local radio and cable stations.

A three-year member of the Saskatchewan Government Advisory Committee, the child of immigrants Matheas Martin Kushko and Anna (Zubyk) Father Kushko continues to help thousands. His compassionate generosity of spirit and his advocacy of education, faith, culture, community service, mental health, youth and the disadvantaged indeed make him a worthy recipient.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Helen has spent a lifetime sharing her many talents with the church and community. By the young age of 14, she assisted Nell Semenko to stencil borders on their church during its restoration.

In Portage la Prairie, 1937, she joined “Sodality” for girls, run by the Sisters. The organization emphasized liturgical and parish/community service. As a young bride in 1939 she undertook the important work of sending parcels to Armed Forces personnel from their district. She also worked with the Red Cross sewing and knitting for the Armed Forces and war-torn children overseas. Her efforts as a volunteer earned her the War Work Pin.

In addition to her art and community service, she was also active in civic and political affairs. As a member of the Young Liberals she got to meet Prime Minister St. Laurent. Years later one of her many paintings adorned Prime Minister Turner’s residence. She also belonged to a choral group which performed for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip during community visits.

Helen joined the newly formed UCWLC in 1944. On the 50th Anniversary of the organization she was recognized as the only chartered (founding) member present in the province of Saskatchewan. The award recognized a lifetime in service as a member and leadership at the branch, eparchial and national levels. She also served on the Ukrainian Catholic Council of Saskatchewan and was founding president of St. Anthony’s Branch in Moose Jaw and delegate to over 15 national congresses and eparchial conventions.

Helen belongs to the Art Guild, was a National Art Museum docent, a 15-year member of St. Anthony’s Auxiliary, the Providence Hospital Auxiliary vice-president for four years and former board member of Children’s Aide Society. Helen received the Visual Arts Talent Award; Certificate of Appreciation from Providence Hospital for Holistic Health; Certificate of Appreciation from St. Anthony’s Home; and, Apostolic Blessing recognition from the Ukrainian Catholic church.

Helen is also well known for her artistry with baking of Ukrainian traditional breads. Hundreds of her “korovai” adorned head tables for weddings, anniversaries and cultural events across the country. Married to Michael Kushner, daughter of Anna and Samuel Toduruk, and servant of God, she continues to make contributions at 95 years young. Her talent, dedication, and involvement continue to awe and inspire younger generations.

Merle Maximiuk credits her parents, John and Nellie (Evaniw) Kinaschuk, for laying a foundation rooted in tradition, culture and faith. From an early age, leadership, dedication and involvement became the building blocks she used to share this legacy.

In her youth she participated in Ukrainian youth organizations such as CYMK, Ukrainian school, and church camps. Later, Merle had the opportunity to teach both at Camp Kiev in Ontario, and Camp Trident near Canora. In 1977, 1978 and 1982 she served as Camp Trident’s administrator. Her years as a young wife and mother were spent in Grenfell where she continued being a leader and volunteer in many areas, even forming a small Ukrainian dance group. Wanting her children to have even more opportunities within the Ukrainian Orthodox community, she and her husband moved from Grenfell to Yorkton in 1980. Merle and her family became involved with Ukrainian cultural programs offered at church camps, the Ukrainian Immersion Summer School at Mohyla Institute and the Ukrainian bilingual classes offered in Yorkton.

Merle became involved with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration, serving as church secretary and elder sister, and with the UWAC Olena Pchilka Branch. As advisor, she remains committed to the Simon Petlura CYMK branch. For a number of years, Merle chaired the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Yorkton and was co-editor of the Sasktanets Newsletter.

Merle’s committed involvement with UCC Yorkton, plus UCC Saskatchewan provincial executive spans over ten years. In Merle’s own words, "Through the UCC, I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful individuals along the way. I truly enjoy my work of helping new immigrant families from Ukraine adjust." Merle has organized: Nation Builders Awards Luncheon, Ukrainian Day, Holodomor commemorations, and Taras Shevchenko and other concerts as well.

Merle was married in 1964 to the late John Maximiuk and was blessed with four children: Rev. Fr. Gene, Tania, Rev. Fr. Evan, and Ilaria. In 1995, Merle fulfilled a dream by travelling to Ukraine with her father. She had the opportunity of touring and visiting the Kinaschuk family in the village of Vyniatyntsi. The greatest sense of accomplishment for Merle has been her family and the fact that they all value the importance of the Ukrainian Orthodox faith, culture, and language. In fact, the legacy continues with her seven beloved grandchildren.

When Michael moved to Saskatoon he found a new world of cultural and spiritual possibilities. Little did he know that he would eventually dedicate more than 81 years in leadership roles with over 22 organizations. He joined the Saskatoon Ukrainian Orthodox church choir. He took Ukrainian dancing lessons at Mohyla Institute from Gene Glisky and a dance seminar by Vasyl Avramenko. Years later Avramenko visited his class and then stayed with him for a week. During this period Michael joined the UNF youth group and started dance groups there and at the Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals. Soon there were 120 children aged 4 to 12 between the three groups. At age 26 Michael was promoted to Territory Manager, Kramer Tractor, Yorkton district. He taught Sunday school, instructed Ukrainian dance at Camp Trident and shared his talent and leadership in many cultural areas.

Michael belongs to and held leadership positions within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and his community at large: vice-president of UCC Regina; provincial UCC board member; board and finance committee member, national UCC; national president, the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada; board member, Ukrainian Voice newspaper; board member, St. Andrew’s College; chair, St. Andrew’s Foundation for several years; chaplain and camp administrator at youth camp in Gimli, MB, executive board member of Selo Gardens Housing Corporation. He was also executive director, Alzheimer Association for six years where he spearheaded seminars on eldler abuse and the forming of support groups. Many honours have been bestowed on Michael: the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal; Award of Excellence from Ukrainian Self- Reliance League of Canada and the Shevchenko Medal to name just a few. He has also had the unique experience of observing and helping in three national elections in Ukraine.

In 1969 Michael changed careers pursuing theology at St. Andrew’s College in Winnipeg. A deacon in 1970, he continued working and studying until his ordination in 1976. Michael has always devoted extra energy towards youth and their programs. Altar boys club, CYMK clubs and a program for youth called SAD (Sex, Alcohol, and Drugs) are just a few that owe their start to him.

Currently, Michael enjoys retirement with his wife Rhonda. He also loves visiting his children and grandchildren in California, Ontario and British Columbia. He continues to make significant contributions as leader and friend.