At the age of 95, Michael Ewanchuk is working on his 16th book (01/11/04)

At the age of 95, Michael Ewanchuk is working on his 16th book

by Mary E. Pressey

PORTAGE LA PRAIRE, Manitoba - Dr. Michael Ewanchuk, author of many books, is an exceptional man. At the age of 95 he is writing yet another book - his 16th.

He has a diverse background, one that makes Ukrainians in Canada and abroad proud.

On any given day he is invited to speak at various functions. His knowledge of facts, be they of past or present events or on any given subject - but especially pertaining to the struggles and achievements of the Ukrainian pioneers and younger generations in Canada - are articulated with detail recalled to the delight and enlightenment of the audience.

To outline all of his achievements in life would take volumes of written words and much space, thus follows a brief synopsis as presented in his autobiography, in several of his books, particularly in "Vertical Development: A New Generation of Ukrainian Canadians," submitted by Borislaw N. Bilash.

Mr. Ewanchuk was born on March 14, 1908, in Gimli, Manitoba, to pioneer parents Wasyl and Paraskeva Ewanchuk, who arrived in Canada in 1902 from Kopychentsi, western Ukraine. He attended the Dnister School and was one of the first four students to complete the Grade 8 Entrance Examination. Upon completion of elementary school he entered high school in Gimli. Having a need for social interaction, he joined the Ukrainian National Home and the Taras Shevchenko Library, and participated in drama and debates.

Following high school, Mr. Ewanchuk worked temporarily as section hand for the Winnipeg Electric Railway, then took employment at the Ford Factory in Detroit. He worked the midnight shift and this gave him the opportunity to attend daytime classes at the Detroit Institute of Technology and later Detroit City College, now Wayne State University. He joined and became secretary of a Ukrainian students' club and was a member of the International Students' Club of the YMCA as well as the Ukrainian National Home.

In 1930 Mr. Ewanchuk returned to Canada and attended Wesley (United) College and the Provincial Normal School in Winnipeg. While there, he became a member of Petro Mohyla Institute, where he served as assistant to the rector and as president of the student club Prometheus.

After becoming a teacher, Mr. Ewanchuk completed his academic work and received B.A., B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Manitoba. His first teaching position was at Beckett (Svoboda) School. He then accepted principalships at high schools in East Selkirk and Springfield.

In Springfield he met his primary teacher, Muriel Smith, whom he married and who was an inspiration to him throughout his endeavors. He became active in the Ukrainian Teachers Society and was president of the South Eastern School Teachers' Convention.

After their marriage, Dr. and Mrs. Ewanchuk moved to Cartwright, where he accepted the principalship at the high school. While in Cartwright he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in which he served as instructor of navigation and as officer in charge of airmanship. He also served as a personnel counselor to the retiring servicemen. His last assignment was as an instructor in mathematics and English. He retired from the RCAF with the rank of flight lieutenant. His beloved wife died in 1997 after a prolonged illness.

Following his retirement from the RCAF, Dr. Ewanchuk became the first Ukrainian Manitoban to receive a permanent appointment as inspector of schools. After serving in that capacity in the Roblin and Carman inspectoral areas, he was transferred to Winnipeg, where he served for 20 years as inspector of elementary and high schools, evaluating, in particular, instruction in science and mathematics at the senior grade level. His special assignment was the statistical analysis of the high school examinations then conducted by the Department of Education.

During his years as inspector of schools, Dr. Ewanchuk served as president of the Manitoba Educational Research Council, the University of Manitoba Alumni Association, the Manitoba School Inspectors' Association, the Canadian College of Teachers and the Canadian School Superintendents' and Inspectors' Association (CASSI). He represented CASSI at the American Science Seminar in Washington and at the conference of the American School Administration in Chicago. Additionally, he represented, as president, the University of Manitoba Alumni Association at the American Conference in San Francisco and was consultant to the Educational Show Place in Toronto. He also served as chairman of the editorial board of the Canadian Superintendent.

In 1964 Premier Roblin appointed him to take charge of a curriculum committee to prepare the first Ukrainian program of studies and to select appropriate textbooks for the teaching of Ukrainian in Manitoba high school.

Dr. Ewanchuk's credits as an educator are a showcase to be admired. He is honorary life member of the Canadian Association of School Administration and of the Canadian College of Teachers. He has received recognition from the Manitoba Modern Language Association, was awarded a certificate and a medal of recognition by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and received a certificate of recognition from the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in June 2000.

For his many books he has received the Margaret McWilliam Award from the Manitoba Historical Society. For his contribution to education he was awarded a doctor of law degree from the University of Winnipeg and a doctor of canon law degree from St. John's College at the University of Manitoba.

In 1973 Dr. Ewanchuk retired as inspector of schools and began devoting his time to writing articles and books. His articles have appeared in the Ukrainian Canadian and Ukrainian American newspapers. His many books comprise stories and history of the Ukrainian pioneers in Canada, their struggles and achievements, and the achievements of their children. For this purpose he has conducted historical research not only in various archives in Manitoba, but also in the Canadian Archives in Ottawa and the U.S. Archives in Washington.

Dr. Ewanchuk now resides in Winnipeg.

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