Born July 24, 1962, Anthony grew up on a farm near Prud’homme, along with his two siblings. His father, Frank, a cantor, and mother Johanna sang for several Ukrainian Catholic churches in the area. Anthony sang in the choir or performed the duties of altar boy at these same churches.

After graduating from high school, Anthony moved on to the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). While there, he participated in an exchange program with the University of Chernivtsi, spending six weeks studying and travelling in Ukraine. One of his most cherished accomplishments is having had the opportunity to visit the village where his grandfather was born, meeting many of his family members, attending a family wedding, and then bringing news and photographs of that visit back to his grandparents in Canada.

Anthony received his Bachelors of Arts, Education, and Commerce degrees from the U of S. Following an internship, Anthony successfully obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 1993.

In 1999 Anthony left a decade-long career working as a corporate auditor to pursue his passion: writing. He is now the author of 11 novels. In 2003, his first novel earned a nomination for the Crime Writers of Canada – Arthur Ellis Award. In the second novel, Anthony introduced the character of Kay Quant, a Ukrainian mother who shows her love through Ukrainian cooking. Today, Anthony receives messages from readers who "know a Ukrainian baba just like Kay." Following the long-running Quant mystery series, Anthony then published three more novels, one a stand-alone suspense novel. His books have been nominated for Crime Writers of Canada Awards, Saskatchewan Book Awards, and a ReLit award. He received the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Anthony the first Canadian to win in that category.

In 2008, in partnership with the Faculty of Education – University of Regina and the College of Education – U of S, Anthony cofounded with his spouse, Herb McFaull, the successful Camp FYrefly-Saskatchewan, an educational, social, and personal learning retreat for sexual and gender minority youth (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning) and allied youth.

Anthony has sat on the boards of the Persephone Theatre, Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild, AIDS Saskatoon, Crime Writers of Canada, and International Association of Crime Writers. He was inducted onto the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Education Wall of Honour in 2011, and was named Saskatoon’s Citizen of the Year for 2014. Recently, Anthony received the Avenue Community Centre Community Service Award, and won the Peter Corren Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 2017 Breaking the Silence Conference. In his spare time, Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, and host a good party.

Savelia was born in Prince Albert on January 17, 1949 to Ukrainian immigrants, Joseph and Lydia Curniski. She has two brothers. Her parents’ "nomadic" lifestyle, moving to various communities as business owners, appealed to Savelia from a young age.

She completed a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Saskatchewan and went on to do Masters Studies in Curriculum Development. While at university, Savelia initiated the Church Historical Informational Project (CHIRP). She visited Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches throughout rural Saskatchewan, photographing them and collecting historical information from early residents. The Museum of Man in Ottawa had Savelia continue the project, documenting nearly 150 churches in rural Saskatchewan. The collection is housed in the Canadian Centre for Folk Culture Studies in Ottawa.

Savelia had a short but exciting career in teaching. She taught one year in Saskatchewan and two more years in Yellowknife, NT. While in Yellowknife, Savelia visited many communities across the high arctic.

In the mid-1970s, Savelia was a founding member of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon. She was encouraged by her parents and the love for the Church that they instilled in her.

In the 1980s, Savelia set up and ran Lydia’s, a European-style restaurant in the Broadway district of Saskatoon. During that decade, she travelled extensively throughout Canada, the U.S. and into Europe and China.

A trip to Ukraine in 1990 sparked Savelia to found Savelia’s Tours to Ukraine. The tours enabled Ukrainian Canadians to visit the land of their ancestors, but also made Savelia aware of the plight of some of the Ukrainian population. In 1998, she contacted the president of Christian Child Care International in Springhill, NS, asking the organization to take poor and orphaned Ukrainian children under their umbrella. To date, Canadian support has eased the poverty of over 3,500 children.

In 2004, Savelia witnessed first-hand human trafficking while leading a tour in Ukraine. This appalling atrocity of the 21st century, human slavery and sexual exploitation led to the formation of Nashi, a group of Canadian volunteers dedicated to making Canadians aware of human trafficking and building a safe house for at-risk young girls in Ukraine, known as the "Maple Leaf Centre."

Savelia’s efforts have been acknowledged by receiving: Canadian representative status to NATO in Brussels, Belgium for an educator’s conference; Broadway Businessmen’s Award; "People of Courage" Award from Governor General Michaëlle Jean; Holy Great Martyr Barbara Order for dedication to humanitarian causes in Ukraine by Bishop Augustine; and, appointment to a 15-member Advisory Body for the Federal Government on Cross-Cultural Security.

Although Savelia has no children, the children of Nashi and those she has helped through Child Care International are truly the children of her heart.

Dr. Bohdan Stephen Kordan was born on April 8, 1955 and grew up in Toronto, Ontario with parents Andrij and Fenna (Kapeluch) and older sister Olya.

In 1977, Bohdan completed his Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History at the University of Toronto followed by a Masters in International Relations from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in 1980. His formal studies would then take him to Arizona State University where, in 1988, Bohdan would complete his Ph.D. with Distinction in Political Science.

Currently, Dr. Bohdan Kordan is a Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Studies, St. Thomas More College (STM), University of Saskatchewan (U of S). Prior to his appointment in 1993, he held research and teaching positions at the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto and MacEwan University in Edmonton. In this capacity, he has taught and inspired students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

Dr. Kordan was the founding Director in 1998 of the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage (PCUH) at STM, U of S. His efforts, leadership and vision would play an important role in the re-establishment of a U of S undergraduate Ukrainian studies program at STM. Additionally, Dr. Kordan was involved in the STM fundraising campaign, which raised $1.175 million in support of the PCUH. Dr. Kordan also contributed greatly to the evolution of a decades-old relationship between the U of S and the Yuri Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. He would be principal in the creation and formation of the Hnatyshyn Canadian Studies Centre at Chernivtsi National University.

Dr. Kordan has been a visible proponent of the development of Ukrainian political affairs in the public spectrum. He is a senior scholar with a national and international reputation in the field of Ethnic Studies, Multiculturalism, and International Relations. He has authored, co-authored and/or edited 24 books, chapters, catalogues, and reports, published 20 articles and curated seven national and international exhibitions. Over the years, Dr. Kordan has been recognized for achievements, contributions and service to the profession and the community, including: the Margaret Dutli Award for Community Service, STM College (2001); Justice John Sopinka Award for Scholarly Excellence (1994); Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2004); and the Jennifer Welsh Scholarly Writing Award at the 2017 Saskatchewan Book Awards. He has been shortlisted for the 2018 Kobzar Literary Award for his 2016 publication No Free Man: Canada, the Great War and the Enemy Alien Experience.

Dr. Bohdan Kordan is married to Bohdanna Kordan, and they are proud parents to their son, Christian.

Nadia, daughter of Mary Nowoselski and Joseph Bilinski, was born July 21, 1957. She grew up on a farm nestled between the pioneer family homesteads near Borshchiw-Prud’homme area. Like many others, the family worked hard, prayed faithfully, and lived frugally on a mixed farm production with a large vegetable garden.

The youngest of three siblings, Nadia was fortunate to be able to pursue her lifelong ambition of being a teacher. Following graduation from high school, she attended the University of Saskatchewan, completing both a Bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Education degree in language education and curriculum studies.

In the fall of 1979, Nadia became the first teacher in the newly-established Ukrainian-English bilingual program in Saskatoon. She created the curriculum for each grade, and was asked to be the lead curriculum writer for the Ministry of Education in combination with teaching. Later, Nadia held several administrative positions with Saskatoon Catholic Schools, including public relations, Byzantine Rite religious consultant, and assistant to the Director of Education. In 2000, Nadia began a career with the Ministry of Education as a provincial language consultant and was then promoted to Senior Program Manager for English as an Additional Language (EAL), a position she held until retirement from the ministry in 2016.

During her years with the ministry, Nadia was the principal author, developer, or team leader to produce more than 20 documents for Ukrainian bilingual education, high school language education, immigration, and EAL in Saskatchewan. She has been a frequent presenter at language workshops, conferences, and seminars, and has been a course instructor for teachers in Ukraine.

Currently, Nadia works with the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan as a course developer and instructor for teachers pursuing a specialization in second language education. She is also an associate member of the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage at St. Thomas More College.

Nadia has been an active volunteer in the Ukrainian community and remains firmly committed to Ukrainian language education as a key element of culture and identity. Past affiliations include roles with UCC Saskatchewan, Metropolitan Sheptytsky Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Friends of the Shevchenko Foundation, Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian, and the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee. Current volunteer efforts have been directed to the provincial Holodomor Education and Awareness Committee, Musée Ukraina Museum, and the U of S Senate (UCC Saskatchewan representative). Nadia continues to be a long-standing volunteer liturgical responder/cantor at St. George’s Cathedral.

Nadia is married to Leonard Prokopchuk. They are blessed with two married children: daughter Dr. Oksana (husband Mykola Gauk and three-year-old son Valentyn); and, son Dr. Demyan (wife Natalia).

Volunteerism

Marjorie "Marj" Bodnarchuk was born in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan on December 4, 1953 to Leslie and Blanche Wilson. It was on a farm near the village of Silton, Saskatchewan, where she, her older sister and two younger brothers were raised. They were involved in church, school and community activities that included music, sports and 4-H programs. Her parents’ involvement in the community was an example to Marjorie to volunteer, serve and lead when they were needed.

After attending elementary school at Silton and high school in Strasbourg, Marjorie chose a career in nursing, studying in Saskatoon and Prince Albert with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Art and Sciences, graduating in 1974. Further nursing education was obtained through the University of Ottawa with studies in administration.

Upon settling in Prince Albert, she worked as a Registered Nurse at Holy Family Hospital, the Victoria Hospital and Pineview Terrace Lodge. Areas of work included general duty nursing, supervising and, later, managing as Director of Nursing at Holy Family Hospital, Coordinator of Acute Care at the Victoria Hospital, and Director of Care at Pineview Terrace Lodge. A highlight of her nursing career was a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region in 2014.

Marjorie married John Bodnarchuk, who is presently the owner and operator of a towing business. John and Marj have two daughters, Amy and Paula, who were in Ukrainian preschool, Ukrainian dancing, Ukrainian day camp, Ukrainian dance camp, and who studied Ukrainian while at the University of Saskatchewan.

As a family, John and Marj have visited Ukraine a number of times and spent time with the Bodnarchuk family in the village of Cherniatyn, near Horodenka in southwestern Ukraine. These visits resulted in them sponsoring a nephew and his wife to come to Canada from Ukraine. They have become Canadian citizens and they have four daughters, all born in Canada.

Marj retired from nursing and is actively volunteering in the following areas: church council, church choir, Ukrainian Veselka Choir, Prince Albert Exhibition Association, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, Veselka (Prince Albert & District Ukrainian Cultural & Heritage Association), City of Prince Albert at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Pineview Terrace Auxiliary, and the Association of Saskatchewan Care Home Auxiliaries.

In her spare time, Marj enjoys music, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

John and Marj live on an acreage several miles north of Prince Albert and plan to remain in the community of Prince Albert when John retires at some point in the future.

Ryan Boyko was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 25, 1980 to Sonia and Adrian Boyko. Ryan, along with his two sisters, grew up in a home where Ukrainian traditions were part of everyday life. He has fond memories of Ukrainian Christmas celebrations at his maternal grandparents.

Ryan received his early education in Saskatoon. While a student at Marion Graham High School, he experienced racism from a teacher who denied the internment of Ukrainian "enemy aliens" in Canada during World War I. Twenty years later, Ryan is still working to expose this injustice done to Ukrainian immigrants to Canada and educate the public.

Ryan earned degrees in Drama and English from the University of Saskatchewan and has pursued an acting and filmmaking career with a major focus on educating Canadians and documenting injustices done to Ukrainians in Canada. He is also the founder and CEO of Armistice Films Inc., with the mission to illuminate epic, untold stories for international audiences. His company is leading the way to create the first ever Canada-Ukraine Co-production Treaty for Film, which has been in progress since July 2016.

Ryan has performed in live theatre, including two seasons with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, two seasons at the Stratford Festival of Canada, and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He has appeared in several television series, including "Flashpoint," "The Listeners," and "Outlaw Bikers," played Bill Barilko of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and appeared in the movie "Chokeslam."

In 2016, Ryan wrote, produced and directed "The Camps," a cross-Canada journey into Canada’s first internment operations. This 33-episode series has been seen in 174 countries and has received two film awards.

From 2010 to 2015, Ryan was MC for the Toronto Ukrainian Festival. He was involved with the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund’s CTO Project, culminating in placing 100 plaques from Halifax to Nanaimo in 2014, and he has been on the board of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation from 2010 to 2017.

"That Never Happened: Canada’s First National Internment Operation" is Ryan’s first directorial debut, which began its festival circuit in June 2017. It was recently selected for an award at the Montreal Film Festival. Ryan’s next film, "Enemy Aliens," is in process to be the first jointly funded production with international investors.

Ryan is married to Diana Cofini Boyko and they have two cats, Patch and Stellina.

Cultural Preservation & Development

Vera Evhania Feduschak was born on October 28, 1938 to Joseph and Rozalia (Barabash) Feduschak. She completed her first three years of elementary school at Wetmore School in Regina and, in 1946, moving to Mutrie, Saskatchewan, completed grades 4 to 9 in Philomath School in Mutrie. Vera then took her high school and first year university at Luther College in Regina.

During the year 1957-58, she worked at Montmartre Co-Op. In 1958, Vera enrolled at Teachers’ College in Moose Jaw, graduating with a standard Teacher’s Certificate in June 1959. Over the next seven years she took night school and summer school, completing her Bachelor of Education degree with the University of Regina in 1967. After concluding her teaching career in 1974, Vera returned to Regina and commenced a 30-year career with the federal government as Human Resources officer specializing in staffing and classification. Vera retired in 2005.

Vera is heavily involved in the Ukrainian Canadian community with many organizations. She became a member of the Ukrainian National Youth Federation. Later, she became a member of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization, where she held various executive positions, including cultural representative, Secretary, Treasurer and President. She also served on the board of the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF), Regina, in various capacities, including President.

Her support of other Ukrainian Canadian organizations included a Director and Secretary for the Ukrainian Cooperative Association in Regina, Secretary for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Regina Branch for several years, as well as President (2001-2003), and, recently, she was an election observer to Ukraine on two different occasions.

Vera is an accomplished singer in both church and folk music. She sang with the UNF choir as well as the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church. From 1990 to the present, she is the choir director and cantor at the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Regina and voluntarily assists as cantor for the St. Volodomyr Church in Moose Jaw, and St. Michael Church in Candiac. In 2005, Vera attended a summer school on church music in Lviv, Ukraine, and participated in the Choral Conductor’s Seminar in Edmonton in 2013.

Predeceased by her parents and sister Nadia, Vera has the support of sister Luba, niece Natasha, nephew Jason, and brother-in-law Harold and their families.

Vera is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Natalia Maruschak was born on June 14, 1940 to Anna (Kapitan) and Wasyl Wasylyk in Cudworth, Saskatchewan. Natalia and her brother were raised in a traditional Ukrainian family. Natalia married Ben Maruschak and together they had three daughters: Lesia, Nadia and Patricia, and now in turn they enjoy nine grandchildren.

Natalia’s desire to pursue learning resulted in her obtaining a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. This enabled her to be a teacher for the Wakaw School Division teaching in Alvena, Wakaw, and Aberdeen. She then returned to school and obtained her Local Governing Administrator Certificate. This training provided her with the necessary skills to be the Administrator for the Village of Alvena from 1984 to 1995. In addition to her teaching and administrative careers, Natalia is also the successful president of the Alvena Insurance Agency.

One of Natalia’s passions is writing, as proven by her publication of KRAÏNA: My Canada, "A Little Girl Remembers." Another publication Natalia is recognized for is My Mother’s Trunk – Vesna Festival Commemorates 125 Years of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada. Her love of the Ukrainian culture combined with her passion for writing is also evident in her role as the reporter for the Wakaw Recorder, covering Ukrainian events in the Alvena area. This is a role that she has faithfully served for over 50 years and has earned her the reputation of being a Ukrainian cultural resource person. Her articles on Ukrainian subject matters have also been published in the StarPhoenix and the Ukrainian Voice Newspaper.

Natalia’s volunteer involvement is substantial. She has contributed her time and skills to the following groups: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Cure: Blood Cancer, Immigration Project, Green Grove Camp, Folkfest, and the Ilarion Outreach Program. On a local level, Natalia has served on the Alvena cookbook committee, Alvena Willing Helpers, and the Alvena Community Centre. Volunteering not only benefits the people she is serving, but also provides an outlet to be active within the Ukrainian community.

All of Natalia’s efforts and interests in preserving and growing Ukrainian culture have earned her the respect of her peers and her community.

If Natalia is not writing, working or volunteering, you will find her pursuing some of her interests, which include gardening, carolling, baking Ukrainian breads, photography and public speaking.

Connor was born on July 13, 1993 to Lenore (Yaworski) and Keith Moen of Saskatoon. Connor is an immensely proud member of Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community. Despite not having a traditional Ukrainian upbringing and with little involvement in the community growing up, Connor still always felt connected to his heritage through his Baba, Dido, and sister.

Inspired by his heritage, he decided to take Core Ukrainian courses at Bethlehem Catholic High School in Saskatoon. Following high school graduation, Connor attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he graduated with a B.A. of Political Studies/Ukrainian Studies minor. At the university, he participated in two exchanges to Ukraine in Chernivtsi and Ternopil which led Connor to become fluent in the Ukrainian language.

While at university, Connor helped revive the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Club. Though a small group initially, the club became one of the largest Ukrainian student movements in the country by the time of Connor’s graduating with several accomplishments like raising over $8,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, attracting new youth to the Saskatoon Ukrainian community, and sharing the vibrant Ukrainian culture on campus. From there, Connor joined the national student body of the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK), organizing their immensely successful conference in Saskatoon in 2016 — the first time it was held in Saskatchewan in 25 years and aptly titled "SUSKatoon."

During his time at the University, he received the Dave Mysak Award for Youth Leadership, Rose Semko Hrynchuk Scholarship, and University of Saskatchewan Vera Peza Award for Volunteerism. Conner also sang with the Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir and Orchestra for a number of years, served on the University of Saskatchewan Students Union, board member of UCC Saskatchewan, and youth ambassador for Saskatoon Folkfest – Karpaty Pavilion.

Shortly after convocation, Connor was hired to be SUSK’s first full-time staff. Today, Connor is the National Coordinator for SUSK and the national Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Ottawa, helping over 25 student clubs across Canada, and running communications for the leading voice of the Ukrainian community in Canada.

Vladyslav "Vlad" Osatiuk was born on October 27, 1993 in Haivoron, Kirovohrad, Ukraine. The eldest son of Fedir Tsymbal and Tetiana Osatiuk, he moved to Canada with his family at the age of 14, settling in Regina, where he and his younger brother, Mykhailo, were raised. He completed his high school at Martin Collegiate in 2011 and obtained his Bachelor of Education (Music major/Mathematics minor) in 2015 at the University of Regina.

At an early age, Vlad became involved with musical cultural programs in the Regina Ukrainian community. He worked at the Ukrainian National Federation and served as a counsellor/children’s choir director at Camp Sonyashnyk in Regina. He encouraged children to appreciate Ukrainian culture through music. Later, he joined the Poltava Orchestra, where he, with trumpet in hand, travelled to the 2015 Folk Monaco Festival in Portugal to perform for thousands of people daily during the cultural tour. Vlad also works as a band director with the Horizon School Division in the schools of Imperial and Holdfast. Presently, he is the conductor of the Poltava Orchestra.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Trident Camp became a big part of Vlad’s life where he began as a kitchen helper, improving his English and, in turn, teaching the Ukrainian language to students. Later, he became the music and camp director, a position he held for three years.

Having a strong work ethic, Vlad worked in school performances at Thom Collegiate, employing creative ways to teach students. He would also spend extra time teaching complicated musical movements or just have students challenge themselves by attempting a new instrument to play.

To ensure the Ukrainian culture remains strong and relevant, Vlad shares his talents of song, language, customs and traditions with those around him. His commitment to his heritage is shown by bringing the joy of Ukrainian music to seniors at Selo Gardens or at UCC Saskatchewan functions in Regina through his performances.

A confident and caring young man, Vlad offers time and abilities to support and build his community. He is an outstanding role model because of a willingness to welcome, lead and support. His local community benefits from a gentle spirit and cooperation.

For his achievements, Vlad received the Early Service Excellence in Teaching Award.