Marie Nychka was born in Regina on July 14, 1955 to Walter and Mary (Boyachek) Nychka. Walter, a civil servant, and Mary, a devoted mother and homemaker, raised their only child as part of the Ukrainian Orthodox community and were very active in the Ukrainian National Federation.

Her father’s career moves meant transfers from Regina to Saskatoon and finally Calgary. Despite the moves, dance was a constant in Marie’s life. Her dance experience spans various forms, including Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Character, Ukrainian Folk Dance, Flamenco, and Tap. Marie credits training under Lusia Pavlychenko as perhaps the greatest influence of her life.

Marie began her dance career with such companies as the Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble and Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble in Saskatoon, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ballet de Roma, and Ballet Brazil.

Instrumental in creating and naming the Boyan Dancers of Saskatoon, Marie is the Founder of the Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble of Regina, and was that company’s first Artistic Director for many years.

Since expanding into theatre and film over 30 years ago Marie has worked as a freelance director/choreographer, adjudicator and actor throughout Canada. She is a regular faculty member and choreographer with Opera Nuova, training emerging artists of the Opera and Musical Theatre. Marie has developed Choreology, a method of teaching non-dancers how to learn choreography painlessly. Marie teaches in both the Bachelor of Arts – Drama and Bachelor of Fine Arts – Acting Programs at the University of Alberta, where she has received many awards for her teaching, including the William Hardy Alexander Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2016). She has been nominated eight times and twice been the recipient of the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for outstanding Choreography.

Marie is presently working with Lianna Makuch to develop a new dance/theatre collaboration called Blood of Our Soil. Based on the journal of Kateryna Hnat Makuch which recounts her World War II emigration from Ukraine on foot, it will connect her experiences of Bolshevik oppression then to current Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine.

When Marie is not spending free time with her husband, Mario, and her parents, who are now retired and living in Edmonton, she spends time riding her horse, "Indy," who also loves to dance.

Marie has two sons, Adam and Boyan (Andrea), and a grandson, Zen.

Alexander Topolnyski was born to George and Olena (Fedoruk) Topolnyski on December 12, 1900 in the village of Kyseliv, Bukovina,* Ukraine. He was the eldest child in a family of seven children. He attended six years of public school, and worked as a community shepherd, and later as a mailman.

At age 18, Alex was drafted by the Austrian army (1918), serving as a machine gunner on the Italian front. After the Armistice, with great hardship, he returned to Kyseliv and immediately joined the militia of the newly founded Ukrainian Republic. Three months later the militia was disbanded by the Romanian occupation forces. Later he served two years in the Romanian army as trumpeter for the Bucharest military hospital corps and was discharged in 1924.

In 1919 he married Paraska Babjek (daughter of Georgi Babiuk†) and they were blessed with a family of four children — Katherine, George, Nicholas and Olena.

Upon his discharge from the Romanian army Alex found employment at the sugar refinery in Kostryzhivka,* Ukraine and followed by successive appointments to municipal Treasurer and Secretary for the municipal government.

Predicting Europe’s political deterioration, Alex sought a better situation for his young family when he immigrated to Canada alone in 1929. Upon his arrival in Regina, he found employment with the Canadian Pacific Railway for the next ten years, during which time he learned the theory and practices of the cooperative movement and took bookkeeping through correspondence.

Alex was involved in establishing the Regina Ukrainian Savings and Credit Union and the Ukrainian Co-operative Association, whose grocery business he managed from 1939 to 1968. Alex kept in touch with his wife and friends. His youngest son, Nicholas, managed to escape to the West and was able to join his father in Regina in 1947. However, Alex was never able to reunite with the rest of his family. His wife remarried in 1949 and then in 1953 Alex remarried to Anna (Zalusky) Kristoff.

Alex was a dedicated activist in the Ukrainian community. In addition to the Ukrainian Co-operative Association Alex was also an active member in the Ukrainian Veterans Association, the Ukrainian Orthodox pro-Cathedral Church, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress; the Ukrainian Senior Citizens’ Association, the Ukrainian National Federation (as their first Treasurer in 1933), and the Ukrainian Savings and Credit Union. He held many executive positions throughout the years in the above organizations.

Alex is survived by his son, Nick, and grandchildren Cathy, Mark, George, Tania and Nick.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Very Reverend Father Bohdan Demczuk was born on December 9, 1950 to Emma and Fillip Demczuk in Hamilton, Ontario. His childhood and early youth were spent at St. Volodymyr’s Sobor, where he participated in religious and cultural classes offered at the V. Sarchuk Cultural Centre, led by the Very Rev. W. Fedak.

Father was enrolled in 1969 at St. Andrew’s College and convocated with a degree of Licentiate of Theology in 1972, which was upgraded in 1989 to a Bachelor of Theology. Later he enrolled in the Religious Studies Program in Supervisory Studies (1978), Community Relations (1980) and Management Studies (1980) at Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario. He enrolled in Graduate Studies at the University of Waterloo.

On October 19, 1980 Father was ordained into the deaconate at Holy Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), Waterford, Ontario and into the priesthood, on October 26, 1980 at St. Volodymyr’s Sobor, Hamilton, Ontario. He was designated as an assistant at St. Volodymyr’s Sobor and in addition, after the repose of Rev. Kristafelusy, he served at St. Volodymyr’s UOCC in Sarnia, Ontario until August 1981, when he was assigned a parish in Roblin, Manitoba. From 1990 to 2011 he served at All Saints Parish in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Father has taken an active role in many organizations: "Windows to the East" Committee at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, Chaplain of the Venerable Ilarion of Kyiv Chapel, member of Green Grove Camp, Lastiwka, and many more too numerous to mention. Another important accomplishment is that Father served as a member of the Sunday school curriculum board of the UOCC of Canada for nine years. This term produced Our Faith Levels I, II, III as well as Our Icon Book. He also served three terms as Vice-Chairman of the Central Diocese of the UOCC and was a member of UOCC’s Constitutional Committee, as well as many others. In 2000 Father Bohdan was chosen as a member of the consistory governing body of the UOCC 20th Sobor.

In his spare time he has written more than 185 articles, published in Canada, Australia, Ukraine, and the USA. He has travelled to Ukraine three times and lectured on various topics. Another huge milestone is that Father received the Jewelled Cross on November 27, 2004.

In August 2011 Father Bohdan was granted indefinite compassion leave to care for Dobrodiika Olya. He cared for her unconditionally until her repose. On October 1, 2015 he was granted a temporary assignment to the North Battleford district.

Through his many contributions, Father continues to inspire and encourage members of the Ukrainian community.

Boris Derow was born on August 9, 1971 in Canora, Saskatchewan to Clarence & Alice (Oucharek) Derow. As a child he was surrounded by music from the piano and band instruments as well as singing with siblings and cousins. When the family went to church, Boris joined the choir with his mother. The Cantor noticed how quickly the little boy learned to sing the hymns and responses. At home he sang harmony with his siblings. Boris learned to play the piano and took part in Ukrainian dancing. He was educated at the Canora schools until Grade 11 when he continued his education at St. Vladimir’s College in Roblin, where he learned to play the tsymbaly. During this time he became a member of the student choir and the dance ensemble. His leadership skills became apparent when he formed a small folk orchestra and choreographed a dance number for the two tours they took across Canada, and the eastern and western United States. In 1989 he enrolled at Brandon University as a voice major.

In 1993 Boris moved to Vancouver, joined the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church choir and danced with the Surrey Society of Performing Arts under the direction of Cinda Herndl 1994-95. He participated in a month-long dance seminar in Lviv, Ukraine and in the Macau World Dance Festival, performing to sold-out audiences and forming a new dance group, Tropak. Boris also performed with Fortune 500.

In 1998 he entered the Basilian Order in Edmonton, then spent two years in Glen Cove, NY at St. Josaphat’s Monastery, where he and his fellow Canadian brothers travelled to neighbouring parishes singing at different functions. During this time Boris composed music and organized a monastic choir. Back in Canada in 2002 he continued writing music and worked with Fr. John Sembrat, OSBM. Boris sang on the recorded Divine Liturgy in 2004. The choir was renamed Axios and recorded "Nativity" in 2006.

In 2005, he began serious vocal studies with Darcia Parada, a professional opera singer/producer, whom he married that December. He sang the roles of Sylvio (Pagliacci 2008), Tinca (Il Tabarro, 2009, 2013), Beppe (Pagliacci 2010), and Goro (Madame Butterfly 2011). Boris prepared the male choir for many public performances in Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa — performances that were met with rave reviews by sell-out audiences.

Boris is the resident conductor with Edmonton’s Mercury Opera, where he has scored and arranged two Operascapes. He continues to direct Axios and to participate in his own singing engagements with the Edmonton Opera and the Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble of Detroit, as both a chorus member and soloist. His stepson, Dominic, also hopes to pursue a career in music.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Ann Ewanchuk was born August 10, 1928, on the family farm near Redfield, Saskatchewan, to Mike and Erinka (Lukowich) Spak along with four other siblings. Ann completed Grade 8 at Howard School and then helped with the family farm. It was her father who had profound influence on Ann, enrolling her in the Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association (CYMK) and encouraging her to be a part of all things pertaining to Ukrainian culture. Besides taking dancing and bandura lessons, Ann was a player on an all-Ukrainian baseball team.

After moving to North Battleford she began work in the hospitality industry. It was here that she met her husband, Uhan. They married in 1949 and moved to the community area of Whitkow. In 1950, Ann joined the local branch of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (UWAC) and later served as President for 17 years and 23 years as Secretary. In 1989, she was elected as the Provincial President of UWAC for a term position. She received the National Award in 1996 for her dedicated involvement in UWAC and was honoured in October 2016 for having the longest membership — 66 years.

Since 1973, Ann and her husband operated the Whitkow Hotel and committed themselves to provide exceptional service, for which they won an award from the Saskatchewan Hotel Association in 2008.

In 1977, Ann began a Ukrainian school in the hamlet of Whitkow with 31 students and four mothers as drivers and adult students. The program ran successfully for three years. A few years later, Ann ran the Green Grove Summer Youth program at Wakaw, teaching the youth many aspects of Ukrainian culture.

Ann’s vibrant volunteerism and commitment to organizations enables her to preserve Ukrainian culture. She is a strong supporter of various cultural causes in the North Battleford community, particularly the Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council summer day camp sponsored at Slawa Hall, where children are taught various aspects of their culture. She also assists in many work bees, which assist in the upkeep of her church, to which she is extremely faithful.

Ann also stays involved in her community by being a senior exercise instructor at her seniors’ complex and a volunteer at the North Battleford Union Hospital.

Ann’s family consists of her children: Roman, Evhan, Orest, and Erinka, their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Stanley Ganczar was born to Joe and Jessie Ganczar on November 2, 1945. Stan comes from a family of two brothers and one sister. Stan completed his elementary education in a one-room school named Trembowla and his high school in Dauphin, Manitoba. During his early days he also completed his Journeyman Status for Plumbing and Steamfitters.

Upon graduation Stan was employed for 15 years as a grain ship loader at the port of Churchill in northern Manitoba. During this time he met the love of his life, Eileen. They married in May 1974 and in December of 1975 they were blessed with a daughter, Karen.

In 1976 Stan rented a boxcar and moved his family to Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He was employed by the Weyburn Inland Terminal and became a grain buyer with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. During this time Stan opened his own business (carpet cleaning and janitorial services), which he operates to this day. During this time a son, Joe, was born.

Stan’s roots to the land means that he still farms a parcel of land east of Weyburn. This love of farming prompted Stan and Eileen to operate a chicken plant, where they sold baby chicks, ducks, and geese and offered a processing assembly line for mature birds. To this day Stan still supplies baby chicks to all the Weyburn district farmers.

Stan’s community and cultural activity is outstanding. To date Stan has volunteered on fifteen boards, either as founding member or director. The majority of his activities are associated with Ukrainian churches, language, culture and dance. Some of note are: founding President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress local council in Weyburn/Estevan area; Board Director of Ukrainian Credit Union of Regina; Board member of Saskatchewan Parents for Ukrainian Education; Board Director of the "Care-a-Van" Society; Board Director, Saskatchewan Organization of Heritage Languages (SOHL); Rural Municipality (R.M.) Councillor for 29 years; President of Weyburn and District Multicultural Council for 15 years; founding member of the Weyburn Verhoy Dance Ensemble; and, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

Stan has been awarded the following: Canada 125 Medal; Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan’s Betty Szuchewycz Award; Weyburn and District Volunteer Award; Weyburn Ukrainian Language Award; SOHL Dedicated Service Award; South Saskatchewan Volunteer Award for Culture; R.M. of Griffin for exemplary service; and, Wildlife Conservation Award.

Stan and Eileen continue to reside in Weyburn maintaining constant contact with issues affecting the Ukrainian community and community in general.

John Kornylo was one of three children born to parents Michael and Anna (Dzariuk) Kornylo on June 6, 1931. While living on the farm John attended Lorenzo School, six miles away. Upon completion of Grade 12 at Redleaf School in Mayfair, John went teaching as there was a shortage of teachers at the time.

Professionally, John furthered his education by taking accounting and business courses.

John has been a member of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Saskatoon since 1955 and has supported his church by serving multiple terms as Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of the Membership Committee. He also served as Cathedral archivist, photographer, and parish property manager. He assisted as a fundraiser and volunteer at the Youth Centre. John also served as Secretary/Treasurer for St. George’s Cathedral School.

John has served in a number of leadership roles: board and committee member for the New Community Ukrainian Credit Union, Treasurer for 15 years for the Rushnychok Ukrainian Dancing Association, and President of St. Maria Goretti Home & School Association, including the committee to build a new playground.

In the early 1960s John campaigned for funds to build St. Joseph’s Home, which turned into a lifetime commitment as he continues to support the home today.

Since 1966 John has been a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada (UCBB) – Bishop Roborecki Branch #304. He has served as Secretary and Treasurer, and is responsible for their archives and acts as their official photographer. He has served on the executive of the provincial UCBC, as well as Treasurer of the National Ukrainian Catholic Council.

St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Park, outside of Saskatoon, has seen John spend hundreds of hours helping to develop the park infrastructure. John has also filled the role of Treasurer for St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Eparchial Camp, assisting the camp with maintenance, custodial, and security duties.

St. George’s Senior Citizens Residence is dear to John’s heart. In 1980 he accepted the role of Treasurer on the board of directors, and has never looked back. For the past 36 years he has dealt with all financial matters. He can be found daily at the residence preparing deposits, making payments, overseeing audits, and visiting the residents.

John married Helen in 1957. They have been blessed with three children, Elaine, Michael and Kenneth, and have six grandchildren.

Patricia Mialkowsky was born on April 4, 1945, the youngest of three daughters, to Mike and Alice (née Martynuik) Hook residing in the village of Elstow. Patricia’s father was the Section Foreman for the CPR at Elstow and her mother was a homemaker and seamstress.

In 1960 her parents moved to Saskatoon and Patricia completed her secondary education at Bedford Road/Mount Royal Collegiate. After graduation in 1963, she enrolled in a Medical Laboratory Technologist program at the University Hospital.

Patricia married Micheal Mialkowsky on September 18, 1965. She worked as a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist at University Hospital. In 1973 she started working at Canadian Blood Services. She retired in 2000. It was during this time of employment that she earned the nickname "church lady."

Patricia and Micheal are members of Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Patricia’s contributions in promoting faith, culture and history have been significant, and she is recognized as an exemplary model for leadership and collaboration.

Patricia served as an Assistant Ambassador for the Kyiv Pavilion for Folkfest 1999 and Ambassador in 2000.

Her involvement with Musée Ukraina Museum has been significant since being called to the Board in 2000. She has served as Membership Chair, Secretary and became President of the Board of Directors in 2007. She also chaired the construction committee for the new museum building. Along with her executive positions on the Museum Board, she can be found hosting tours, setting up displays, and coordinating fundraisers and volunteers.

Patricia is also a strong voice for the importance of recognizing Canada’s First World War Internment Operation in which her father was an internee.

Patricia has also been a very active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (UCWLC) for more than 46 years, serving in multiple roles, most recently as the First Vice-President of the Eparchial UCWLC.

In 2012 Patricia was awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her service and contributions to the community.

The Mialkowskys have three children: Lisa, Bryan (Lynda), and Terry (Shannon), who live all across Canada. They also have three grandchildren — Courtenay, Alexander and River.

Steven Rudy was born and raised on a family farm in northeast Saskatchewan (close to Nipawin) on January 9, 1940 to Peter and Nellie Rudy. Steven is the eldest of four children. Through his parents he was brought up in a traditional Ukrainian environment, which he has maintained to this day.

At the early age of 16 Steven became the district church choir director. He was also very involved with CYMK–Ukrainian Orthodox Youth (UOY), where he served as president for many years. Through his determined demeanor he also studied one summer at St. Andrew’s College.

In the late 1950s Steven attended Teachers’ College and received his Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1970 Steven furthered his education at Kelsey Institute and received his Journeyman’s Certificate in carpentry.

In 1964 Steven was the Director of St. Petro Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon and that summer was the Director of Green Grove Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Camp at Wakaw Lake. The rest of Steven’s career had him teaching in other communities such as Cudworth, Alvena, Aylsham and Carrot River. After retiring from active teaching in 1991, Steven became CEO of Cumberland College in Nipawin for the next five years.

Steven’s love of music led him to create the band ‘The Prairie Sons’ of which Ukrainian music was the main element. The band loved entertaining and performing for various events, including Sts. Peter and Paul Annual Malanka for 25 years. Also upon retirement, Steven’s interest in gardening expanded from an orchard of fruits and vegetables to currently Rudy’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm.

Throughout Steven’s years he has been a member on approximately 18 boards where he held different executive positions. He has served on the executive of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church for many years. Steven’s love of the church has had him host and emcee many related church (district) events. He is known throughout the district for his knowledge, leadership skills, and public speaking abilities.

Behind every successful man is a supportive spouse. Steven married Mary Kozun and just recently celebrated 54 years of marriage. Through this union they have four children, Marianna, Corinne, Carol and Robert along with six grandchildren. They have passed on their love and pride of Ukrainian culture and tradition to each through church, music, song, dance and participation in Ukrainian cultural traditions and involvement in Ukrainian organizations.

Ashley Halko-Addley, born September 1, 1995 in Regina, Saskatchewan, is the youngest of three children to Kathy and the late Wayne Halko. Throughout school, in addition to maintaining a high academic average, she was involved in many extra-curricular activities, including figure skating, music, student leadership clubs, and sports teams. She particularly enjoyed Ukrainian dance and danced with the Chaban Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Zabutnyy Dance Company in Regina, and the Cudworth Ukrainian Dance Club. While attending university in Saskatoon she is also a member of the Solovei Ukrainian Dance Group and the Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir.

Ashley is currently in her final year of studies at the University of Saskatchewan, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Anthropology with a minor in Ukrainian Studies. After convocation, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Anthropology. Ashley has finished in the top five per cent of students in her program each year and has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the John Russell Kowalchuk Award in Ukrainian Studies, the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association Language Award, the Rose Semko-Hrynchuk Scholarship, and the Leo J. Krysa Family Undergraduate Scholarship.

Ashley spent five weeks in Ukraine this past spring studying Anthropology and language at the Ternopil National Pedagogical University as part of the St. Thomas More College Spring Session program.

In her first two years of university, Ashley was a resident of St. Petro Mohyla Institute. During that time, she sat on the executive of the Kameniari Ukrainian Student Society, serving her first term as Treasurer, and second term as President. In addition, she is currently serving her third term on the executive of the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Association, this year as co-President. Recently she was elected to the National Executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) as Alumni Director.

Through her volunteerism and employment, Ashley actively works to preserve Ukrainian culture. She has worked as a Museum Assistant at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon, Marking Assistant for Ukrainian language classes at the University of Saskatchewan, and this past summer as Assistant Director in the two sessions: children and teens at Green Grove Camp, Wakaw Lake, as well as counsellor at St. Petro Mohyla Institute’s Ukrainian Summer Immersion Cultural & Language Program.

Natalya Marie Shevchuk was born in Saskatoon on September 24, 1999 to Jim and Sandra Shevchuk. Jim, a teacher and now Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction with the Living Sky School Division, and Sandra, a nurse, have devoted their time to raising Natalya, her sister, Marusia, and her brother, Ivan. Natalya is currently a Grade 12 student in the International Baccalaureate Program at North Battleford Comprehensive High School.

Natalya is very active in her school and community while maintaining a high academic standing. A passionate dancer, Natalya studies Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Pointe as well as dancing with two Ukrainian dance ensembles — the Svoboda Dancers of North Battleford and the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble of Saskatoon, a group that her father danced with for many years.

Natalya attends St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in North Battleford and loves to volunteer within the community. She enjoys sharing her love of dance and her Ukrainian culture, often visiting seniors’ homes and spending time with the residents, performing dances and carolling at Christmas.

Natalya is a passionate environmentalist, working to stop litter. She has made presentations to the 2015 Gone Wild Expo, the 2016 Living Green Expo, the Battleford and North Battleford City Councils, and various schools. Leading by example, Natalya purchased and installed a cigarette butt receptacle near her high school so that butts can be recycled through "Terracycle."

In 2015 Natalya organized a fundraiser called "Dancers Who Care" to help raise funds for a new Battleford Trade and Education Centre (BTEC). This has become an annual event that brings together Centre clients, staff, performers, and the broader community.

Natalya enjoys canvassing for various charities, including the "Who Let the Dogs Out" fundraiser for the Humane Society, the 2016 Can-Am Bowl in Hafford, and the 19th annual United Way Golf Tournament.

Natalya has been a member of her school Debate Club and was Vice-President of the Interact Club. She finds time to bake, decorate cakes, make crafts, sew and photograph. She enjoys helping out in various church and community events. She has been an assistant instructor in Ballet and a substitute Ballet teacher at Sonia’s School of Dance.

Along with her long list of academic awards, Natalya has received numerous trophies and awards in dance, horticulture, and photography.