Saskatchewan UCC honors 10 as "Nation Builders" (01/23/05)

Saskatchewan UCC honors 10 as "Nation Builders"

SASKATOON - What started out a decade ago as a neat idea has turned into a tradition. Sunday, November 7, 2004, marked the 10th time that the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) has held its annual recognition event, the Nation Builders Award (NBA) luncheon.

This year, 10 individuals from the province were formally acknowledged for outstanding achievement and for service to their community. Over 200 family members, friends, guests and community representatives gathered at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cultural Center in Yorkton to pay tribute to the following:

the late Olga Andruschak (Hafford), a community organizer who spent much of her life as a teacher and leader in women's and youth organizations plus the Ukrainian Arts Program of the UCC-SPC;
Dr. Fred Cenaiko (Wakaw), a long-time physician from Wakaw who has supported the community generously, financially and professionally plus working with charitable organizations overseas;
the late John Chyzowski (Saskatoon), an educator by profession and community worker who over the years helped numerous parishes and projects like the St. Volodymyr Villa succeed;
Bernie Federko (Foam Lake/St. Louis, Mo.), the NHL star from Foam Lake who brought fame and glory to the St Louis Blues;
Ben Hladun (Prince Albert), an artist and architect whose art creations and architectural works have been acknowledged internationally;
the late Hon. Ray Hnatyshyn (Saskatoon/Ottawa), Canada's 24th governor general and supporter of the arts and volunteerism and recognized internationally for his contribution to justice and liberty;
Dr. Ed Klopoushak (Regina), University of Regina professor emeritus, acknowledged supporter of numerous Ukrainian institutions and charitable organizations and a tireless community worker;
Morris Korpan (Saskatoon), an ardent supporter of a wide range of Ukrainian community and church organizations, as well as provider of aid to Ukrainians in Ukraine;
Iryna Lazurko (Canora), a teacher of Ukrainian language and culture an organizer of cultural events and a tireless supporter of community and church organizations;
the late Molly Lenhardt (Melville), the acclaimed artist who expressed a deep passion for her Ukrainian heritage and compassion for Ukrainian pioneer women through her paintings.

Also attending were Sen. A. Raynell Andreychuk and Councillor Janet Hill, who brought greetings from the City of Yorkton.

The dining hall was tastefully decorated and guests were greeted at the door by Harry and Evelyn Kardynal, the host and hostess for the event, while in the lobby a tsymbalist and violinist played a medley of traditional favorites.

The master of ceremonies for the afternoon was Ed Kucey and official greetings were brought by UCC-SPC President Eugene Krenosky. Citing the contributions of the honorees were Harry Kardynal, Merle Maximiuk and Paul Ortynsky. Each honoree, or their representative, received a trophy acknowledging the bestowed recognition.

Concluding the formal portion of the program was NBA Recognition Committee Chair Dr. Tony Harras, who acknowledged the work of the volunteers in staging the event and the generous support of donors.

Among the attendees were clergy - from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, the Rev. Roman Kocur, who led the opening prayer and the singing of Vichnaya Pamiat in memory of those who gave their lives in all wars; from the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor in Regina, the Rev. Brent Kuzyk; and, from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton, the Rev. Methodius Kushko, CSsR, who led the closing prayer.

The NBA program was established by the UCC-SPC to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding service or exceptional community involvement in an area that is beyond the performance of the individual's normal duties or the exercise of the responsibilities of a profession to which that individual belongs, and/or who have made a lasting impact on Saskatchewan and/or Canada through their contribution to Canadian or Ukrainian-Canadian community development, goals and ideals.

Honourees hail from all parts of Saskatchewan and represent a broad range of volunteer and professional activities including the arts, community advocacy, community and/or political leadership and sports. One hundred and fifteen such individuals have now been honored since the program's inception in 1995. Information on honorees can be viewed at www.ucc.sk.ca/programs/NBA.htm.

The Nation Builders Awards project is made possible by funding through Saskatchewan Lotteries and the generous donations of many individuals, organizations and businesses from within the Saskatchewan Ukrainian Canadian community.

The UCC-SPC is an inclusive, self-sustaining, vibrant organization that serves the Saskatchewan Ukrainian community to maintain, develop and share its Ukrainian Canadian identity, culture and aspirations.

| Home Page |