UCC-SPC 2008 Nation Builders & Community Recognition Honourees

September 26, 2008 -- (Saskatoon) This year marks the fourteenth year that the Ukrainian Canadian community of Saskatchewan, under the auspices of the UCC-SPC, will be celebrating the accomplishments and distinguished contributions of some of its notable citizens.

The 2008 Nation Builder & Community Recognition Awards will be presented to the honourees on Sunday, November 2nd at a luncheon to be held at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza in Regina. Cocktails are at 12 PM with the luncheon served at 1 PM.

Nation Builders Awards are presented to persons who have, without reward or gain, made meritorious contributions which have had a significant impact; left a legacy; and/or provided an exemplary role model to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada. Recipients of the 2008 Nation Builders Awards are:

Hon. Edward D. Bayda (Alvena-Regina): Retired Chief Justice of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal (youngest ever appointed, the first of Ukrainian descent and first Saskatchewan-born); a leader in his profession; left legacy of one of the most respected Courts of Appeal in the nation; Queen's Counsel; former Chair of Law Reform Commission; recognized for well-balanced decisions, which balanced the well-being of community with the rights of individuals.

Boris W. Kishchuk (Buchanan-Saskatoon): Accomplished engineer; founder Canada-Ukraine Centre Inc.; former Chair of Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel; former School Board trustee; leader and role model in Orthodox church community; dedicated volunteer; promoter/activist.

Pavlo R. Yavorsky (1914-1998) (Swan Plain-Montreal): Cultural and dance instructor; Orthodox Church activist; an organizer of CYMK (Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Association); Ukrainian dancer and ballet master; Ukrainian press correspondent; musician; champion of the Ukrainian Canadian cultural identity.

Community Recognition Awards are presented to persons who have made meritorious contributions in one or more of the areas of youth achievement; leadership; volunteerism; cultural preservation & development; and/or creativity & innovation to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada. Recipients of the 2008 Community Recognition Awards are:

Volunteerism / Cultural Preservation & Development

Alice (Oucharek) Derow (Rhein/Dnieper District-Canora): Devoted member of Ukrainian Catholic Church, organizer of humanitarian projects for Ukraine; long-served national archivist for the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada; organizer of many tours to Ukrainian cultural and other events; activist with Musée Ukraina Museum; promoter and teacher of Ukrainian cultures and traditions; committed volunteer - Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada, UCC Canora Branch, Parkland Music Festival.

Harry Kardynal (Muchawka, Ukraine-Saltcoats-Yorkton): Educator; school principal; Ukrainian language teacher; committed volunteer - Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, Yorkton Teacher's Association, Saltcoats Agricultural Society, Ukrainian Professional and Business Club, Yorkton and District Multicultural Council, Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Yorkton Branch (President); athlete in provincial, national and Masters Seniors Games.

Leadership / Cultural Preservation & Development

Lawrence B. Klopoushak (Saskatoon): Educator for over 30 years; skilful musician and band member; accomplished Director of the Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Choir and Orchestra; long-serving Church Choir Director; founding member of Saskatoon Chamber Singers; member of 20 productions with Saskatoon Opera Association; cultural innovator; mentor; community leader, staunch youth supporter.

Olga (Kalyn) Nikiforuk (Hafford-Redfield-Richard): Educator; became cultural backbone in community; events organizer; singer; musician; Ukrainian language, dancing and embroidery teacher; local CYMK organizer; promoter of Ukrainian language, culture and traditions; church activist and Choir Director; long-time member of North Battleford Band Association and Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada.

MaryAnn L. (Ortynsky) Trischuk (Canora-Yorkton): Dedicated volunteer - Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble; long-time member of Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Dance Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy, Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Yorkton Music Festival, Canadian Federation of University Women (Yorkton Branch), Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (Olena Pchilka branch); 2-term University of Saskatchewan Senator.

Creativity & Innovation

William Warnyca (Montmartre): Breeder of purebred Herefords; self-taught veterinarian; community volunteer - St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Candiac, local Co-Op Board; 4-H Beef Club; Moosomin Hereford Breeders Association, Saskatchewan Cattle Breeders Bull Test Station; held public office as Councillor and Deputy Reeve for RM of Montmartre; named to Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll.

Youth Achievement

Stacia Vesalia Horbay (Saskatoon): Dedicated volunteer; youth ambassador; Ukrainian dancer; Sunday school and first holy communion preparation class teacher; summer camp counsellor and Ukrainian teacher; member of Vesna Choir (past) and Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Choir (current); volunteer host of Ukrainian radio program on community radio CFCR; Musée Ukraina Museum Board member; involved with community development work in Ukraine; currently University of Saskatchewan student in College of Education.

Tickets are $40 (includes $20 tax receipt) and $20 for youth. MasterCard and Visa orders can be made by calling toll-free 1-888-652-5850 (652-5850 when calling in Saskatoon, 586-6805 when calling in Regina), or drop by the UCC-SPC office in Saskatoon at 1219 8th Street East.

For more information please contact either Danylo Puderak, Executive Director of UCC-SPC at 1-888-652-5850 or Dr. Tony Harras, Chair of the UCC-SPC Recognitions Committee at 306-586-6805.