Ukrainian-Canadian author Marsha Skrypuch visits
Saskatchewan

Nadia Prokopchuk, Ukrainian Education Consultant, Saskatchewan Learning

October 21, 2005 -- Marsha Skrypuch, well-known author of the popular children's books Enough, Silver Threads and the teen novel, Hope's War, made a positive and lasting impression on the communities of Regina, Yorkton and Saskatoon during her visit to Saskatchewan in September 2005.

Marsha (right) speaking to three senior Ukrainian students at Athabasca School, pictured with Roma Barnes (teacher). Photo: Eugene Krenosky Marsha spoke to an enthusiastic audience at St. Mary's Cultural Centre in Yorkton. Photo: Eugene Krenosky Yorkton community members lined up to receive autographed copies of Marsha's books. Photo: Eugene Krenosky

This dynamic author impressed audiences of various ages with her detailed research on the themes of genocide and internment, combined with a special ability to transform these tragic crimes against humanity into historical fiction suitable for young audiences. Although Marsha's writing has focused mainly on the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide and Ukrainian Canadian Internment, she has also spent time researching and writing about the Armenian Genocide.

Marsha has a fascinating autobiography. She was mislabelled as 'slow' in school and didn't learn to read until she was in Grade 4 for the second time. To defy this label, she became a voracious reader during the remainder of her school years, all the while hoping to become a writer one day.

After diligent efforts to overcome her reading difficulties, Marsha went on to receive an Honours BA in English from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Library Science degree several years later. To help fund her education, Marsha worked at various jobs such as selling industrial supplies, working as a librarian for Agriculture Canada, writing book reviews and freelance articles.

Eventually she turned her hand to historical fiction in 1992. Although she received well over 100 rejection slips with her first attempts, she persevered and her first book, Silver Threads, was published in 1994.

Marsha's paternal grandfather was born in Ukraine and came to Canada in 1912. Unfortunately, other family members remained in Ukraine, only to experience the horrors of Stalin's man-made famine in 1932-33 and Hitler's war crimes during WWII.

Marsha's writing has been inspired by her family's history as victims of these atrocities against humanity. Some of her characters are based on information received in letters from Ukraine and stories which she has been able to piece together from Ukrainian history.

Marsha Skrypuch's visit to Saskatchewan was the result of an invitation by CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) to be a presenter at the Prairie Horizons Convention in Lumsden. Prior to her visit, Marsha contacted UCC-SPC President Eugene Krenosky and offered additional time to Saskatchewan's Ukrainian community for school visits and community presentations.

While in Regina, Marsha was hosted by Athabasca School Ukrainian teacher Roma Barnes and Miller Ukrainian Program teachers Helena Demchuk and Katie Oleski. Katie also made arrangements for Marsha to do a formal reading at Davin School.

Marsha's presentation at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon was well-received. Photo: Nadia Prokopchuk Signing books -- one of the pleasures of being a popular author! Photo: Nadia Prokopchuk Marsha read an excerpt from 'Hope's War' to students at Holy Family School. Photo: Nadia Prokopchuk

The Yorkton UCC Branch organized an evening program with Marsha as guest speaker at St. Mary's Cultural Centre.

In Saskatoon, Marsha's presentation took place at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, hosted by the Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian and the Saskatoon Branch of the UCC. In order to share Marsha's stories with the broader community, the Yorkton and Saskatoon UCC Branches presented complete sets of Marsha's books to the local libraries.

While in Saskatoon, Marsha also spent a good portion of time with students from K-12 in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program. E. D. Feehan High School Bilingual Program students had the opportunity to listen to Marsha speak on the topic of Ukrainian Canadian internment at the Eaton Internment Memorial near Saskatoon. Students from several classrooms at Holy Family School listened attentively as Marsha told her personal story and gave advice on how to become a good reader and writer.

Marsha also took time to speak to post-secondary students at the University of Saskatchewan. She encouraged students in the Level Two Ukrainian language class to take an interest in their own family stories and the history of Ukrainians in Canada, because "If we do not record our own history accurately, then others may, in fact, write it inaccurately for us."

Although Marsha's schedule in Saskatchewan was very hectic, she enjoyed every moment. In each centre (as seen in the photos) she took time to speak about her writing, research, interest in Ukrainian Canadian history and deep commitment to the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA). Before leaving, Marsha expressed her thanks to the UCC-SPC and to Saskatchewan Learning for their assistance in organizing her visits to various communities and schools.

Marsha's upcoming publications include Kobzar's Children, An Anthology of Ukrainian Stories and contributions to the Dear Canada Series, published by Scholastic Books.

UCC Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian sponsored a wine & cheese reception, program and book-signing at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon on September 19 . Below are photos from the event taken by UCC-SPC Executive Director Danylo Puderak.

Marsha Skrypuch recounts experiences in getting published her works on the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine and Canada's 1914-1917 Internment of 'enemy aliens.'	UCC Saskatoon president Slawko Kindrachuk, Skrypuch, and manager of public services / planning department at the Saskatoon Public Library Anne Craggs.
UCC Saskatoon president Slawko Kindrachuk and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada executive director Janet Danyliuk.	Rose Blush makes presentation to Marsha Skrypuch on behalf of the Saskatchewan Teachers of Ukrainian.