Вінніпеґ Український № 3 (49) (March 2019)

4 

Рієлтор 

5 

Announcements. 

6 

OPINION. 

12 18 28 

Люда Радить 

ЗНАЙОМТЕСЯ, TUXEDO 

оголошення 

КАНАДА ЗАПОЧАТКОВУЄ МІСІЮ 

СПОСТЕРІГАЧІВ ЗА ВИБОРАМИ В УКРАЇНІ 

ДУМКА / ТЕКСТ: Тетяна Яворівська 

НАСЛІДКИ ПЕРЕНЕСЕННЯ 

УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ПРОГРАМИ 

7 

INTERVIEW 

JAMES BEZAN 

8 

COMMEMORATION / TEXT: Oleksii Milian 

“Я ЇДУ ДОДОМУ, ДО СЕБЕ ДОДОМУ” – 

ANOTHER TRIP TO HOME 

10 

ОГЛЯД ПОДІЙ / TEКСТ: МИРОСЛАВА ПІДГІРНА ФОТО: НОРБЕРТ к. Іван 

ТРІО ТЕНОРІВ ЗІ ЛЬВОВА 

ВПЕРШЕ ВИСТУПИЛИ У ВІННІПЕЗІ 

11 

EVENTS RECAP 

FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR 2019 

12 

EVENTS RECAP / PHOTO: NORBERT K. IWAN 

HOOSLI UKRAINIAN MALE CHORUS 

CELEBRATES 50 TH ANNIVERSARY 

13 

ОГЛЯД ПОДІЙ / TEКСТ: Марія Кривошеєва ФОТО: НОРБЕРТ к. Іван 

ЦЕРКОВНИЙ СПІВ - СПРАВА, УГОДНА ГОСПОДУ: 

УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ ЧОЛОВІЧИЙ ХОР «ГУСЛІ» 

ЗАСПІВАВ БОЖЕСТВЕННУ ЛІТУРГІЮ 

14 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

16 

ФОТО МІСЯЦЯ / TEКСТ: Марія Кривошеєва ФОТО: НОРБЕРТ к. Іван 

ЧЕРГОВА МОНЕТА-ПИСАНКА ПОБАЧИЛА СВІТ 

18 

BUSINESS 

KOZAK FOODS 

20 

INTERVIEW 

БОРИС ТАРАСЮК 

22 

INTERVIEW / TEXT: Myroslava Pidhirnyj 

A CONVERSATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE 

METROPOLITAN ANDREY SHEPTYTSKY HOSPITAL IN LVIV 

24 

STATISTICS / TEXT: Peter J. Manastyrsky 

UKRAINIAN WINNIPEGGERS IN KILDONAN-ST.PAUL 

26 

CULTURE / TEXT: Marko Moroz 

NEW EASTER CD BY CHABLUK FAMILY 

28 

HISTORY. ІСТОРІЯ / TEXT: LUBA FEDORKIW 

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Рієлтор Люда радить 

T 

uxedo – це невеликий ексклюзивний район Вінніпегу, 

розташований на відстані 7 км від центра, на 

південному березі річки Assiniboine. Земля і нерухомість 

у Tuxedo є найдорожчими у місті. У 2018 році 

середня ціна хати у Вінніпезі була $318 тисяч, а у Tuxedo 

– $830 тисяч. 

Історія Tuxedo сягає у далеке 

минуле, аж до 17 – 18 століть. У ті 

часи земля належала до Hudson’s 

Bay Company. Видатний меценат 

Лорд Селкірк задумав заснувати 

кілька аграрних поселень для своїх 

співвітчизників – англійських 

фермерів. Щоб придбати землю 

на території сучасного Вінніпегу 

він мусив викупити частину акцій 

Hudson’s Bay Company. У 1811 році 

Лорд Селкірк дістав у своє розпорядження 

території під назвою Assiniboia і з того часу почалося 

заселення землі європейцями. 

Сучасна історія району починається з 1903-1906 років, 

коли рієлтор Frederick Heuback, разом з американськими 

інвесторами Kenaston, Warner і Douglas, заснував Tuxedo 

Park Company і почав скуповувати землю для будівлі 

“Suburb Beautiful” (Прекрасного Передмістя). Завдяки інвестиціям 

у районі почав розвиватися бізнес і в той час 

було засновано цілий ряд компаній, які зіграли значну роль 

у його подальшому розвитку. У 1910 році Heuback запросив 

американських ландшафтних архітекторів з компанії 

Olmsted Brothers створити план розбудівлі району. Для повного 

розуміння того, звідки походить ця вишукана чарівність 

району Tuxedo, треба згадати, що два брати Olmsted 

були видатними архітекторами, освідченими і талановитими 

– піонерами у своїй галузі. Вони багато подорожували, 

що збагатило їх професійний досвід. В Європі вони із захопленням 

бачили, що звичайним людям відкрито доступ до 

прекрасних садів і парків. Вражаючий лист досягнень братів 

Olmsted включав багато видатних проектів, серед яких 

– Yosemite National Park та New York’s Central Park. 

Місто Tuxedo було інкорпоровано у 1913 році і першим 

мером став Frederick Heuback. Tuxedo увійшло до складу 

Вінніпега аж у 1972 році. Сьогодні населення Tuxedo складає 

близько 5% від населення міста. У Tuxedo живе вдвічі 

більше людей із повною університетською освітою, ніж у 

середньому у Вінніпезі ; прихід на родину також у два з 

половиною разa більше. Українською мовою розмовляють 

приблизно 13% жителів Tuxedo, що відповідає демографії у 

цілому по місту. 

Чимало цікавих і відомих людей мешкало у Tuxedo. У 

ЗНАЙОМТЕСЯ, 

TUXEDO 

Люда Козлова 

Рієлтор 

2007 році Manitoba Historical Society офіційно визнала 

Frank Trafford Taylor новатором і видатним резидентом 

Tuxedo. Він був адвокатом і громадським діячем; його поховано 

на Elmwood Cemetery. Вулиця Taylor носить його 

ім’я у відзначення його внеску у розвиток провінції. 

Assiniboine Park – це справжня 

перлина району і найулюбленіше 

місце відпочинку жителів Вінніпегу. 

Він був закладений ще у 

1909 році на площі 450 гектарів, 

з яких 280 гектарів займає ліс – 

Assiniboine Forrest. На території 

парку розташовані зоопарк, оранжерея, 

історичний павільйон, 

сади, включно із садом українського 

скульптора Лео Мола, розкішний 

дитячий майданчик із залізницею, 

зелений театр та інше. 

На перехрестях вулиці Kenaston з вулицями Grant і 

Taylor буде заснований Urban Reserve, де аборигени Манітоби 

планують будувати готель, торгівельні і спортивні 

споруди і відкривати свої бізнеси. Це великий і унікальний 

проект, на повне завершення якого можна сподіватися 

через 10-20 років. 

Ринок нерухомості представлений переважно хатами, 

більшість з яких побудовано за індивідуальними проектами. 

Від 2011 року середня вартість хатів підросла із $583 до 

$830 тисяч. За 2018 рік було продано 64 хати в ціні від $460 

тисяч і вище. Найдорожча нова хата розміром 330 кв. метрів 

пішла за $1,8 мільйонів. При цьому, тільки ділянка під 

забудову коштувала $390 тисяч. На час, коли цей матеріал 

готувався до друку, одна хата була запропонована в оренду 

за $2700 на місяць і 13 хатів було виставлено на продаж в 

ціні між $475 тисяч і $2,35 мільйона. Також на ринку було 

25 кондомініумів в ціні від $160 до $700 тисяч. 

Цікаво, що в районі є досить великий вибір кондомініумів, 

в тому числі відносно недорогих. Так, за минулий рік 

було продано 73 кондо за $140 - $855 тисяч; при цьому половина 

з них – в ціні до $255 тисяч. Нова квартира площею 

90 кв. метрів, із балконом, двома спальнями і підземною 

парковкою була продана за $255 тисяч. 

Яке різноманітне і цікаве місто – наш Вінніпег! Воно 

складається із багатьох відмінних районів, які мирно співіснують 

близенько один від одного. При цьому, кожний 

район зберігає через роки свій унікальний характер, вигляд, 

історію і традиції. 

Радо відповім на всі питання відносно нерухомості. 

Моя електронна адреса lkozlova@xplornet.ca. УВ 

4 Український Вінніпеґ - БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 2019 -

КАНАДА ЗАПОЧАТКОВУЄ МІСІЮ 

СПОСТЕРІГАЧІВ ЗА ВИБОРАМИ В УКРАЇНІ 

ANNOUNCEMENTS. ОГОЛОШЕННЯ 

CANADA LAUNCHES OBSERVATION MISSION 

FOR UKRAINE ELECTIONS 

Достойна Христя Фріланд, Міністр 

закордонних справ, і Достойна Марі-Клод 

Бібо, Міністр міжнародного розвитку, 

сьогодні зробили наступну Заяву: 

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister 

of Foreign Affairs, and Marie-Claude Bibeau, 

Minister of International Development, today 

released the following statement: 

анада надає потужну підтримку Україні і виділила майже 

24 мільйони канадських доларів на втілення електоральної 

реформи, спостереження за виборами, гендерну 

рівність та інклюзивне управління в Україні. 

Цього тижня CANADEM офіційно започаткував Канадську 

місію і 50 спостерігачів розпочали свою роботу в Україні на 

довготривалій основі. Канадці спостерігатимуть за всіма аспектами 

виборчого процесу в період до президентських виборів 

в Україні, під час виборів і після них, зокрема буде проводитись 

моніторинг участі жінок, внутрішньо переміщених 

осіб і меншин в електоральному процесі. В майбутньому до 

них приєднаються короткострокові канадські спостерігачі. 

Канада також виділяє 2,8 мільйона доларів на ініціативи 

спрямовані на протидію негативного впливу дезінформаційної 

діяльності стосовно виборів в Україні. 

Канада виступає за демократію в усьому світі. Місії спостереження 

за виборами роблять ключовий внесок у зміцнення 

демократії. Ми будемо і надалі підтримувати втілення реформ 

в Україні, включаючи організацію влітку в Канаді конференції 

«Реформи в Україні» 

"K "С 

anada is a strong supporter of Ukraine and has committed 

up to $24 million to support electoral reforms, election 

observation, gender equality and inclusive governance in 

Ukraine. 

“This week, CANADEM officially launched Mission Canada, 

with 50 Canadian long-term observers beginning their work on 

the ground in Ukraine. The Canadians will observe all aspects of 

the electoral process leading up to, during, and following the presidential 

elections in Ukraine, including monitoring the participation 

of women, internally displaced persons and minorities in the 

process. More Canadian short-term observers are planned to join 

them in the weeks to come. 

“Canada is also providing approximately $2.8M for initiatives 

that will counter the negative impact of disinformation activities 

in association with the Ukrainian elections”. 

“Canada stands for democracy around the world. Electoral observation 

missions are key contributors to the strengthening of 

democracy. We will continue to support Ukraine in its efforts 

to implement reforms, including by hosting the Ukraine Reform 

Conference this summer.” УВ 

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УВ 

- MARCH 2019 - UKRAINIAN WINNIPEG 

5

OPINION. ДУМКА 

НАСЛІДКИ ПЕРЕНЕСЕННЯ 

УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ПРОГРАМИ 

Тетяна Яворівська 

ано чи пізно для кожного з нас настає час вибору 

місця нашого проживання та школи для дітей. 

P 

Люди наймають чи купують житло саме біля обраних 

ними шкіл. Вибір навчального закладу для моєї дочки 

був зроблений майже одразу на користь Bernie Wolfе 

Community school – саме через наявність двомовної програми. 

При реєстрації до школи мене не повідомляли, що 

програма є тимчасовою. 

5 лютого цього року я отримала лист-повідомлення про 

закриття українських програм у двох школах: Bernie Wolfe 

та Springfield Heights, та перенесення їх до Prince Edward 

School. Для мене це означає покинути стіни закладу, де 

дитина тільки адаптувалася і звикла. Залишитися вона не 

зможе, хоч проживаємо поруч, оскільки територіально не 

належимо до англійської школи. 

З точки зору психологічно-педагогічного виховання, це 

є злочин – прийняти, а потім виставляти дітей за двері 

навчального закладу. Наші школярі під впливом цих новин 

висловили свої почуття та думки через листи-збори 

підписів однокласників у підтримку школи та запропонували 

ініціювати збір коштів на відбудову додаткових класів 

для української програми на другому поверсі Bernie 

Wolfe School. Це не просто слова, це емоції та психологічні 

травми дітей, у яких відбирають цінне. 

Спілкування з іншими батьками, які опинилися в подібній 

ситуації, засвідчило, що кількість дітей, яка планує 

перейти в нову школу, слідуючи за двомовною програмою 

– майже нульова, адже розташування Prince Edward 

school є не зручне. Наприклад, деяким батькам, які проживають 

на сході Транскони, потрібно буде добираючись 

до школи, долати відстань у більше, ніж 15 кілометрів. 

Біля Prince Edward school немає гостьового паркінгу, а це 

означає, що немає достатнього місця для паркування особистого 

транспорту, на якому можна привезти дитину до 

школи та забрати її додому. Більше того – при збільшенні 

кількості студентів це може бути небезпечно. 

11 лютого 2019 року ми мали зустріч батьківського комітету 

та шкільної дивізії Рівер Іст Транскони, де би мала 

відбутися дискусія, обговорення ситуації, що склалась, 

але нас просто повідомили щодо прийнятого рішення 

про релокацію української програми. Батьківский комітет 

не отримав відповіді на жодне із проблемних питань, 

що хвилюють нас: ані щодо транспорту, ані щодо шкільної 

програми тощо. Автобус взагалі не буде надаватися 

дітям, які живуть праворуч від Lagimodiere Blvd. Рішення 

про релокацію прийнято, але як воно вплине на чисельність 

студентів – не враховано, а очевидно, що це призведе 

до закриття української програми. Все це відбувається 

напередодні святкування 40-ка річчя української 

двомовної програми у Манітобі та Саскачевані. 

Опісля, батьківський комітет написав три офіційні листи-звернення 

до представників шкільної дивізії та, на 

жаль, останні ігнорують їх, не даючи жодної відповіді. 

При цьому шкільна дивізія порушує норми своєї «Policy 

FBC» (School Facilities Review), де при подібних реорганізаціях 

передбачено створення комітету з розгляду шкільних 

питань, до складу якого мають бути залучені відповідні 

представники: директор школи, батьки, викладачі, 

інші особи (див. Policy FBC) який і приймає узгоджене 

спільне рішення. 

Нічого з цього не було створено та узгоджено, з огляду 

на що ми маємо нагадати представникам шкільної дивізії 

– хто є платниками податків, з яких зокрема, утримуються 

і школи. 

Наразі ми маємо дуже потужну українську спільноту в 

районах Кілдонан та Транскона, про що свідчить нижченаведена 

статистика-порівняння за 2006 і 2016 роки населення 

Манітоби і Вінніпегу зокрема: 

Населення Манітоби 2006 року становило – 1 133 515 

та 2016 рік – 1 240 700, з них українці : 2006 рік – 167 170 

(14.7%), 2016 рік – 180 055 (14.5%). 

Населення Вінніпегу 2006 року становило – 625 705, 

2016 рік – 696 475, з них українці: 2006 рік – 96 255(15.38%), 

2016 рік – 101 770 (14.61%). 

Населення Рівер Іст (2006 рік) – 80 925, з них українці 

– 17 495 (22%). 

Населення Транскони (2006 рік) – 30 755, з них українці 

– 7 270 (24%). 

(Див посилання: 1. A Demographic Portrait of Manitoba. 

Volume 3 Population Groups and Ethnic Origins (Ethnicity 

Series)2. Census Profile, 2016 Census. Winnipeg, City 

[Census subdivision], Manitoba and Manitoba [Province]. 

Received from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/censusrecensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&G 

eo1=POPC&Code1=1036&Geo2=PR&Code2=46&Data=Count 

&SearchText=Winnipeg&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01 

&B1=Ethnic%20origin&TABID=1). 

Отже – робимо висновки… 

Я обурена відсутністю будь-яких зворотних зв’язків від 

шкільної дивізії, представники якої є не лише не компетентні 

у вирішенні подібних проблемних питань, а і байдужими 

до думки громади. УВ 


INTERVIEW. Інтерв’ю 

James Bezan 

about petition E-1757, Russia and 

elections in Ukraine 

ister Bezan, despite the rejection what do you think the petition 

to declare Putin a War Criminal and refer him to the 

International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague for crimes 

of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and for sponsoring 

terrorism has been able to achieve? What was the response 

from other MPs? 

JAMES 

I was disappointed in the response of the Liberal government. 

All they did was reiterate their ‘talking points’ regarding Canadian 

support for Ukraine. I think there are a number of parliamentarians 

who think that more needs to be done. The petition 

clearly laid out why Vladimir Putin is responsible for shooting 

down the MH17, why there is an illegal annexation of Crimea 

and why there is a war in Donbass, Ukraine. This is something 

that must be seriously considered. That is why I was proud to 

support the petition. I wish we had a better response. 

Do you actually see Putin ending up in The Hague? 

JAMES 

It is going to be next to impossible for Putin to end up in the 

Hague, as the Russian Federation is not a signatory to the International 

Criminal Court. It does not stop certain countries from 

putting him on Red Notice (international arrest warrants issued 

by the Interpol – Ukrainian Winnipeg) – something which he, 

himself has done many times to Bill Browder (a British financier 

and economist and at one time was the largest portfolio investor 

in Russia – Ukrainian Winnipeg). There is always that opportunity, 

but a politically strong men such as Putin seem to escape 

conviction for the most notorious crimes. 

You are probably following the events in Russia. What appears to 

be happening now is that an increasing number of people think the 

country is heading in a wrong direction and are ready to participate 

in political and economic protests. The “Crimean consensus” – the 

surge in political cohesion following the annexation of Crimea has 

ended, ushering in more of a flammable and less predictable era. 

Do you think Canada should support these changes? Do you think 

Putin will continue hold office until the end of his term? 

JAMES 

M 

We definitely should be supporting anything that looks like 

Russia is moving away from the Kremlin kleptocracy, political 

interference in elections and embracing a fulsome political opposition. 

I think that is great for Russia. I have never been opposed 

or against the people of Russia. I think they deserve to 

have the same powers and opportunities 

according to the rule of law, human rights 

and freedoms that we enjoy in Canada. I 

think we need to wait and see whether 

Putin is going to stay until the end of his 

term. Anything beyond that is speculation. 

There is also a concern I have heard from 

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Bill Browder and 

Boris Nemstov, before he was assassinated: 

“Putin is terrible, but you do not know 

who is coming next, because it could be 

worse.” All we can do is support and encourage 

democracy and work with those 

who trying to achieve that goal in Russia. 

What are your thoughts on the upcoming 

presidential elections in Ukraine? There have 

been over 40 candidates registered so far. 

JAMES 

PHOTO: jamesbezan.com 

It is ridiculous. Because there are so 

many candidates, the results are impossible 

to predict. I am not going to sign up 

for the Monitoring Mission in the first 

round of elections. We have our own 

elections here in Canada where I must be 

focused first and foremost. I am anticipating 

that there will be cyber- attacks, political 

interference and ‘fake news’. I am 

hoping that Ukraine has a robust democratic 

system that is fair and transparent. 

I have participated in four previous Election-Monitoring 

Missions and have seen 

a progressive move toward fair elections. 

We hope that this trend continues in these 

elections. УВ 


7

“Я ЇДУ ДОДОМУ, 

ДО СЕБЕ ДОДОМУ” – 

ANOTHER TRIP 

TO HOME 

Oleksii Milian 

ive years ago, on March 16, a controversial “referendum” 

on the status of Crimea took place during 

F Russian military takeover of the peninsula. This date 

was pulled in twice starting from the original May 

25. Separation scenario was imposed on the population, for 

the wording of the questions did not allow for an option to 

leave the status of Crimea unchanged. These events changed 

lives of many ordinary residents of Crimea dramatically, not 

to mention their political impact globally. 

I can hardly add any additional substantial information to 

the journalist’s captivating article in the Globe and Mail (Feb 

9, 2019), where Mark MacKinnon describes his trip to Crimea 

five years after Ukraine’s territorial integrity was breached 

and the peninsula forced under the Russia’s rule. This account 

reminded me of my own trip to Crimea early last summer. I 

would like to share my observations of an ordinary person 

who used to reside there, with an emotional perspective. 

To say that it became much more difficult, expensive and 

time-consuming to get to Crimea from the mainland Ukraine 

would not be an understatement. In the eyes of the government 

of Ukraine, it is illegal both for Ukrainian citizens and 

foreigners to bypass Ukraine’s checkpoints and enter Crimea 

from the Russian territory. When passengers started to disembark 

from the train that arrived in Khersonska oblast - the 

farthest Southern part of the country controlled by Ukraine, 

I could literally hear the “survival of the fittest” phrase in 

my mind, though not in its positive connotation. Anticipating 

long lineups at the border, the passengers of the whole train 

would rush in taxi, private cars and buses to get there faster 

in a hope to reduce waiting time. The cars would speed and 

pass each other on the beaten dark road, which was never 

designed to be a route for heavy traffic. 

In one hour or so, you would start zigzagging around a series 

of large painted concrete blocks – an unsettling view of 

this landmark makes you understand that you are approaching 

the first checkpoint. At the beginning of this defense line, 

there is also a small watch tower for Ukrainian border services 

patrol to monitor any unexpected objects approaching the 

deference line. A co-passenger beside would whisper their 

guess: “perhaps, these soldiers are there on duty in case they 

receive a command to blow up the bridge in response to the 

military attack from the direction of Crimea”. Anyhow, but 

the ride is intense because of the very unusual setting. 

Once we approached the Ukrainian checkpoint, a set of 

simple buildings and very basic infrastructure would appear. 

The outdoor lighting is poor in the evening – with all this you 

can clearly perceive the political message of the government 

of Ukraine: “this is a temporary checkpoint only”. A popular 

wisdom phrase came up to my mind: “something temporary 

tends to become permanent more often than not”. 

Having passed the Ukrainian checkpoint, depending on the 

type of transport, a traveler would either have a ride or walk 

for one kilometer to the next checkpoint. Two large metal 

cannons from the Soviet era pointed towards the Ukrainian 

checkpoint. This would mark the entrance to the Russian 

checkpoint area, accompanied by long rows of powerful 

heavy-duty light posts. In contrast to the Ukrainian checkpoint, 

the infrastructure and permanent roof tops look much 

more fundamental and the overall appearance of the checkpoint 

sends its own political message. The connection between 

politics and landscapes is as visible as ever. 

Lack of transparency of the procedure at the border crossing 

is dominant at both checkpoints. The sight of the border troops 

with assault rifles and sound of dogs barking in sheds remind 

me that the carefree journey to home is just memories that 

are taken away to happen again for the foreseeable future. УВ 

Земле моя, мій краю, де ти тепер – не знаю. 

Так швидко ти змінилась, без мене. 

Приймаєш нових, віддалилась від мене. 

Дистанція – то була, але ж не такою, пам'ятаю. 

Виростав я в Криму, не свóїм. 

Проходив самоідентичності двобої. 

Ніби і свій – та в школі всі знають. 

Це ж діти – про відмінності нагадають. 

П'ять років студентсва на материку, 

І стільки ж – пояснень про свою українську. 

В Криму чимало номінальних українців, 

Тож багатьох цікавило: чому така позиція? 

В розмовах у Вінніпезі на стандартне «а звідки саме?» 

Відповідаю: «я з Криму, але моя мама...» 

Та решту історії не сильно дослуховують, 

«Некласичним» українцем в думках собі змальовують. 

Та це дрібниці, а от драма моя в тому, 

Що на землі, де народивсь, мене зробили іноземцем вперше, 

І за океаном, в Вінніпезі, відкрито українцем бути легше, 

Ніж в ці часи в Криму – вдома. 


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ВПЕРШЕ У ВІННІПЕЗІ 

Мирослава Підгірна 

Фото: Норберт К. Іван 

неділю 24-го лютого у Вінніпезі пройшла незвичайна 

B подія. В просторому залі Канадійсько-Українського Інституту 

Просвіта, заходами місцевого Відділу Ліґи Українців 

Канади, виступило тріо тенорів зі Львова з концертом 

призначеним Пам’яті Небесної Сотні. 

В склад Трьох Тенорів входили: 

ОЛЕГ ЛИХАЧ Народний Артист України, відомий соліст Львівської 

Опери, бувший член гурту ‘Не Журись’ 

ІВАН ЛИХАЧ Соліст Львівської Консерваторії та Філармонії, син 

пана Олега 

О. АНДРІЙ ДУДА Священник Українського Православного Храму св. 

Миколая у Львові, капелян на передовій, поет 

Перша частина програми була повністю присвячена Небесні 

Сотні - мирним протестувальникам на Майдані в Києві п’ять 

років тому, які виступили проти диктатури та анти-української 

політики тодішнього президента України, Віктора Януковича, 

і які були за це брутально знищені. Меланхолічні й до серця 

промовляючи пісні, сольні партії, дуети і тріо на тлі прозірок 

з самого Майдану і з вже п’ятирічної війни з російським окупантом 

в східній Україні були вміло переплетені з поезією Т. 

Шевченка та власними творами о. капелана А. Дуди. 

Друга частина програми була більше оптимістичною, навіть 

розважальною. Тут, між відомими народними і естрадними 

піснями, лунали також відомі італійське O Sole Mіo та My Way 

Сінатри. Можна було собі уявити, як вояків на передовій ці 

пісні розвеселяють і піднімають їх військовий дух, бо ж наші 

гості-співаки часто їздять під самий фронт, щоб підбадьорити 

хлопців і показати що вони не забуті. 

Чисельна публіка (а було присутніх на залі біля 200 осіб) обдарила 

виконавців квітами та щирими оплесками і довго, довго 

їх не відпускала. При каві і солодкім була ще нагода поспілкуватись 

і запізнатись краще з гостями, нагода яку багато і використали. 

Велике спасибі місцевому Відділі ЛУК за організацію 

такого чудового заходу. Ввесь прихід з квитків і пожертв був 

переданий виконавцям на гуманітарну допомогу воїнам на 

передовій. 

Ліґа Українців Канади (ЛУК) - це громадсько-політичнa неприбуткова 

організація, метою якої є допомога в утвердженні 

і розбудові незалежної демократичної української держави на 

основі об'єднаної та міцної українсько-канадської громади. 

Про ЛУК і її діяльність напишемо більше в наступному числі 

нашого журналу. УВ 


Festival du Voyageur. SOLD OUT 

К 

оли у міста стає по-справжньому холодно, місцеві 

франкофони замість того, аби жалітися влаштовують 

велику вечірку. І так 50 років поспіль. Про історію 

фестивалю та самих вояжерів ми писали минулого 

року, тому просто хочемо поділитися світлинами і висловити 

вдячність організаторам за невичерпне натхнення 

аби дивувати та урізноманітнювати програму кожного 

року. Вечірка холодного зимового вечора в великому наметі 

наповненому веселим людом – це чудово (особливо, 

коли ритм зі сцени задає наш гурт «Зрада»), але подивіться 

скільки роботи пророблено для висвітлення історичного 

та культурного аспектів заходу! Ми декілька годин 

провели лише спостерігаючи за роботою ковалів в дивовижно 

аутентичній кузні. «Де я цьому навчився? В сво- 

єму гаражі…там би за допомогою сучасних 

інструментів я цю роботу виконав 

би за 5 хвилин», - сміється коваль 

після майже півторагодинного сету 

нагрівання та стукання по металу. 

Це прекрасно, що є такі люди, які 

замість сидіння перед телевізором 

організовують кузню у себе в гаражі 

і прекрасно, що є такий фестиваль, 

де ці люди можуть поділитися своїми 

уміннями та привідкрити вікно у минуле. 

Не дивно, що вивіску SOLD OUT можна 

було побачити коли надворі навіть не вечоріло. 

Чудова робота, Festival du Voyageur! УВ 


11

Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus 

Celebrates 50th Anniversary 

Photo: Norbert K. Iwan 

he well-known 

T 

Hoosli Ukrainian 

Male Chorus is celebrating 

50 years of spirit 

and song in 2019 with a full 

schedule of exciting events 

and performances. The Winnipeg-based 

choir held an 

event January 27at Oseredok 

Ukrainian Cultural and Educational 

Centre to launch its 

50th anniversary celebrations. 

“Hoosli is thrilled to embark on a year-long celebration of its 

continued commitment to Ukrainian culture and music,” said 

Dr. Mark Karpa, chair of the 50th anniversary committee. “We 

want to share our passion with a wider audience and invite all 

Manitobans to join together with our alumni and longtime supporters 

to help us mark this important milestone.” 

the Cossacks. The name Hoosli is derived from an ancient 

Ukrainian stringed musical instrument similar to a zither. 

“The singers’ talents and dedication have made this group 

the institution it has become to our community today,” said 

Christopher Sklepowich, chair of the Hoosli board of directors. 

“The 32 singers in our group this year are fortunate 

enough to be part of these celebrations, and we do so because 

of the men who built this group to be what it is today and for 

the future singers who will carry on this legacy and tradition 

into the future.” 

On January 27th the group also unveiled a multimedia exhibit 

to chronicle the evolution of Hoosli over the past five 

decades that includes photographs, posters and programs and 

will travel to events throughout the year. УВ 

Hoosli began as an idea among high school friends in 1969, 

when alumni of the former St. Vladimir’s College in Roblin, MB 

formed a choir in Winnipeg to preserve and promote Ukrainian 

culture and its unique tradition of male choral music. Since 

then, nearly 200 men have poured their hearts and soul into the 

choir and captured the attention of audiences within Winnipeg’s 

Ukrainian community and well beyond with their majestic fourpart 

harmonies and lively performances. 

The internationally-acclaimed chorus has performed across 

North America, released ten albums and sung the anthems at 

Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Goldeyes 

home games. The group’s repertoire includes solemn liturgical 

music, traditional folk songs and patriotic songs of Ukraine and 


Церковний спів - справа, 

угодна Господу: 

Український чоловічий 

ХОР «ГУСЛІ» заспівав 

Божественну Літургію 

років тому випускники одного з коледжів канадського 

міста Роблін (провінція Манітоба) об’єдналися у 

50 

чоловічий хор, відомий у той час як Хор випускників 

коледжу Святого Володимира. Незабаром молодий співочий 

колектив здобув не аби яку популярність завдяки співу Божественної 

літургії а також участі у громадських заходах і 

концертах. Тоді їхніми першими концертними майданчиками 

були різні українські католицькі парафії у Вінніпезі та 

інших містах Манітоби. 

Минуло пів століття… Сьогодні всесвітньо відомий Український 

чоловічий хор «Гуслі» без перебільшення можна назвати 

візитною карткою Вінніпегу. У репертуарі колективу 

- урочиста літургійна музика, традиційні українські народні, 

патріотичні та козацькі пісні. 

24 лютого у рамках святкування 50-річного ювілею під диригуванням 

Сімеона Руснака «Гуслі» заспівали Божественну 

Літургію у Свято-Троїцькому Українському Православному 

Соборі. Послухати професійне виконання церковного 

співу було запрошено колишнього міністра закордонних 

справ України та дійсного депутата Верховної Ради України 

Бориса Тарасюка. 

Серед тих, хто прийшов до Собору того морозного ранку 

було і подружжя Павлишин. «На мою думку, спів, так само 

як і мова, є засобом вираження високого почуття шанування 

Бога. – Говорить Маріанна Павлишин. – Я сама багато років 

співаю у хорі імені Олександра Кошиця тому глибоко переконана, 

що саме музика чинить благотворний вплив на 

людину, розвиваючи у неї смак до прекрасного. Тим більше 

підносить душу людини і наближає її до Бога спів церковний. 

Він і за змістом пісень, і за мотивами, і за дією на людей 

набагато вище, гідніше і благотворніше мирського співу і 

музики. Церковний спів - справа, угодна Господу, а люди, що 

співають у Церкві, користуються особливим заступництвом 

Божим.» «Наше подружжя, є давніми шанувальниками хору 

«Гуслі», - приєднується до розмови чоловік пані Маріанни 

«Ніщо не окрилює так дух, ніщо так не відчужує його 

від землі і уз тілесних, ніщо так не наповнює любов›ю 

до мудрості та байдужістю до життєвих справ, як 

спів стрункий, як пісня священна...» 

Іоанн Златоуст 

Марія Кривошеєва 

Фото: Мар'яна Склепович 

Ігор, – вдома ми маємо декілька CD альбомів цього чудового 

співочого колективу. Слухаючи Божественну Літургію 

у виконанні Хору «Гуслі», щоразу переконуюсь, що 

саме хористи задають присутнім у храмі особливий молитовний 

тон, створюють атмосферу, яка здатна подолати 

гріховну розрізненість і об›єднати всіх у Святій молитві.» 

Того дня окрім виконання Божественної Літургії, хор 

«Гуслі» взяв участь у панахиді за Героями Небесної Сотні, 

яку очолив першоієрарх Української Православної Церкви 

в Канаді митрополит Юрій. 

Урочисті заходи з нагоди святкування півстолітнього 

ювілею українського співочого колективу «Гуслі» тривають. 

Попереду багато виступів, ознайомитися з розкладом 

яких можна на офіційному сайті hoosli.com. Відтак, протягом 

усього 2019 року поціновувачі хорового співу мають 

нагоду слухати та вітати улюблених виконавців! УВ 


13

CALENDAR of EVENTS 

IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: 

184 Alexander Avenue East 

Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0L6 

(204) 942-0218 

Monday – Saturday 

10 AM to 4 PM 

www.oseredok.ca 

info@oseredok.ca 

КАЛЕНДАР ПОДІЙ 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Щоб бути в курсі останніх подій, відвідайте наш сайт: www.ukrainianwinnipeg.ca/events 

Хочете додати Ваш івент в календар? Пишіть нам: info@ukrainianwinnipeg.ca 

БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 

MARCH 

book launch 

Rusalka: 

The Legend and The Legacy 

WHEN: March 18, 7 pm 

WHERE: McNally Robinson 

(1120 Grant Ave) 

A 168-page commemorative book is a beautiful 

celebration of one of Canada’s most renowned 

Ukrainian dance ensembles. 

Ukr. Catholic 

Women’s League of 

Canada, Sts. Vladimir and 

Olga Branch 

Annual Spring Tea 

WHEN: Mar 24, 1 pm - 3 pm 

WHERE: 115 McGregor St. 

The Ivan Bobersky 

Collection Exhibition, 

1914-1920 OFFICIAL OPENING 

WHEN: March 21, 6:30 pm - 8 pm 

WHERE: Oseredok 

(184 Alexander Ave East) 

A Centenary Tribute. The Fight for Freedom of 

the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic. 

Rare and unreleased restored images. 

18 

21 

24 

30 

MON 

THU 

SUN 

SAT 

КВІТЕНЬ 

APRIL 

5 

6 

FRI 

SAT 

Everyone welcome! 

Celebrating our Ukrainian 

youth and song. 

7 

13 

SUN 

SAT 

ТРАВЕНЬ 

MAY 

4 

5 

23 

24 

25 

SAT 

SUN 

THU 

FRI 

SAT

Upcoming 

Exibitions: 

The Ivan Bobersky Collection Exhibition, 1914-1920. STILL STANDING. НЕСКОРЕНІ. 

March 21 to July 6, 2019 

A Centenary Tribute. The Fight for Freedom of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic. 

Rare and unreleased restored images.

Марія Кривошеєва Фото: Норберт К. Іван 

Дякуємо Наталії та Роману Демчишин за надані для зйомок монети 

Чергова монета-писанка побачила світ 

К 

оролівський канадський монетний двір випустив кольорову срібну монету 

у формі української писанки. Про це йдеться на офіційному сайті 

установи. 

Монета стала вже четвертою "писанкою" в колекції канадського монетного двору. 

Цього разу вона буде присвячена величезному пам'ятнику українській писанці, 

встановленому в канадському місті Вегревіль в провінції Альберта. 

"У східній частині міста Вегревіль – одного з найбільших українських поселень 

у Канаді, розміщений символ гармонії у формі яйця. 2300 кілограмова писанка - 

це присвячений сторіччю Королівської канадської кінної поліції монумент. Диво 

комп'ютерного дизайну виконано у кольорах, які символізують світ, історію і традиції. 

Наша четверта писанка - це зменшена версія всесвітньовідомого вегревільського 

українського пасхального яйця", - йдеться в описі монети на сайті. 

На реверсі монети нанесені кольорові візерунки, які включають в себе п'ять 

ключових елементів: розбіжні сонячні промені, що символізують зростання, щастя 

і вічне життя; трикутники, які позначають святу Трійцю і єдність; прямі смуги, 

щоб представити вічність; шестиконечні зірки, які символізують вітряні млини - 

символ доброго врожаю, і, нарешті, зуб вовка, як данина поваги до Королівської 

канадської кінної поліції. Кольори також символічні. Золото і срібло уособлюють 


PHOTO OF THE MONTH 

вдачу, а бронза зображає землю, яку підкорило попереднє населення Vegreville для 

своїх нащадків. На аверсі монети - профіль королеви Єлизавети II. Монета була 

викарбувана з 31,82 гр чистого срібла і має номінал в 20 канадських доларів. Її випуск 

розпочався 5 лютого, а загальний тираж складає 5 тисяч штук. 

Найбільший у світі пам'ятник українській писанці було встановлено торговою 

палатою Вегревіля в 1975 році з нагоди святкування 100-річча Королівської канадської 

кінної поліції. Спроектував писанку канадський митець українського походження 

Павло Сембалюк, а комп'ютерне моделювання дозволило використовувати 

двомірні плитки для створення тривимірного яйця. На розробку проекту, виготовлення 

і складання гігантської головоломки, що містить 524 зоряні візерунки і 2208 

рівносторонніх трикутники, пішло більше 12000 годин. Монумент має висоту 7.8 

м і ширину 5.5 м. та обертається у напрямку вітру за принципом флюгера. Щоліта 

поруч з монументом проходить український фестиваль писанки. Біля підніжжя 

пам'ятника встановлена табличка, у якій на чотирьох мовах (англійська, французька, 

німецька та українська) ідеться про багатокультурну історію місцевої громади. 

Всі попередні монети-писанки були розпродані дуже швидко. Тому бажаючим 

придбати особливу грошову одиницю варто поквапитись, попереджає своїх клієнтів 

монетний двір. УВ 


17

KOZAK 

FOOD 

An IKIGAI story 

hile interviewing Lesia Harasymyak for this 

W article your correspondent could not stop thinking 

about Japan. Not because instead of pyrizhky 

or cheburek I was craving sushi, it is the atmosphere of 

Kozak Food located in Silver Heights that reminded me 

of Sukiyabashi Jiro - a ten counter-seat sushi restaurant, 

tucked away in an office building basement in Tokyo, 

Japan. Despite its location and limited seating capacity, 

this is one of the most renowned sushi restaurants in 

the world. The restaurant is owned and operated by Jiro 

Ono, a 93 year- old sushi master who has devoted his life 

to the art of making sushi. Jiro Ono is often portrayed as 

a man owning an Ikigai: a Japanese term that translates 

into: “reason for being.” 

Ikigai is about finding joy, fulfillment, and balance in 

the daily routine of life. This balance is found at the 

intersection where your passions and talents converge 

with the things that the world needs and is willing to pay 

for. Sometimes ikigai is described as “a reason to jump 

out of bed in the morning.” 

Although it is not validated by worldly recognition - 

only you can discover and affirm your own ikigai - we 

have the feeling that Lesia has found hers! 

Before immigrating to Canada from Peremyshliany (a 

small town 50 km from Lviv, Ukraine), Ms. Harasymyak 

and her husband, who is a butcher, owned a small restaurant. 

“My mother, my aunt, my whole family were in the 

catering business. We specialized in catering weddings.” 

Recalls Lesia. “We really enjoyed it!” 

The Harasymyaks relocated to Portage La Prairie, 

Manitoba from Ukraine in 2000. They never gave up 

their dream of owning a catering business, but as most 

of us know, it takes time to establish yourself in a new 

county and culture. Lesia has been nudged into start- 

ing her own venture when after 12 years of working for the 

same company, she lost her job. “ ‘Danier Leather’ closed all 

of their Canadian stores” she recalls. Being unemployed and 

collecting Employment Insurance was not exactly how she 

had imagined her life in Canada, so she enrolled in a Business 

focused educational program with the goal of becoming 

an Entrepreneur. 

After graduation, Lesia began the process of establishing a 

restaurant and catering business. The Harasymyaks ideally 

were searching close to their home, but also for a location 

where a Ukrainian food business would capture the public’s 

attention. Although location is a factor for successful business, 

Lesia believes that the quality foods of Kozak Food, 

is more important. “I have people coming from Stonewall, 

Manitoba every week. They say our borscht and pierogi are 

worth the 45-minute one-way drive.” 

Pierogi is not difficult to find in Winnipeg, but it is not an 

easy mission to find them made with thin rolled dough, a 

heaping amount of potato and real cheese filling topped with 

bacon and onions. 

“They taste like home,” say a couple of regulars, who were 

counting the days of Harasymyak’s return from holidays. 

“We mean it when we say ‘HOME MADE’” confirms Lesia 

“We never use cheese powder in our pierogi or canned beets 

in our borscht and compromise quality.” 

“Every morning I wake up excited about the upcoming day 

at Kozak Food. I usually come in at 8 a.m. and leave after 7 

p.m.” Before 11 a.m., when the store officially opens, she answers 

emails, voice messages, makes the place look ultraclean, 

and cooks fresh pierogi, holubtsi, pyrizhky, chebureks 

and mlyntsi for the entire day. 

“Kozak Food is fresh food!” emphasizes Lesia. “although we 

carry some frozen food for people who are unable to drive 

here on a daily basis.” Before leaving for his job outside the 

restaurant, Mr. Harasymyak, assists his wife with food preparation 

and cooks his famous borscht. Mr. Harasymyak’s 

family borscht recipe made with pork ribs is a hit! “It is 

more popular than pierogi” says Lesia. 

The success of the Kozak Food borscht is not a surprise, 

considering that probably every second Manitoban has tried 

some variation of borscht at least once. The popularity of 

cheburek (deep-fried turnover with ground pork and dill fill-

ing) is truly remarkable. “At first we did not know how to explain 

what cheburek is,” recalls Lesia. “Now it is one of the best-selling 

items on the menu. People call them ‘Ukrainian pizza pops.’“ 

The Harasymyaks are determined to expand their menu even 

further. All new food items are initially offered for catering only. 

Lesia explain they can assess if an item is popular before placing it 

on the menu. Mlyntsi (thin, crepe-like pancakes with beef or cottage 

cheese filling) are currently in the “assessment phase.” 

“Don’t be afraid to start,” advises Lesia. “If you produce a quality 

product and make customer service your number one priority, you 

will succeed in whatever business you set your mind to. Especially 

here, in Canada” she adds. 

The question most asked is where Kozak Food’s second and larger 

restaurant will be located. “We frequently have large groups of 

people showing up hoping to dine in or calling to reserve tables for 

a large party.” Says Lesia. “Will Kozak Food grow into a full-scale 

restaurant one day? We will see.” 

As much as we would look forward to a second location of Kozak 

Food in the south part of our City or an upscale Ukrainian restaurant 

on Corydon, we encourage Kozak Food to grow at its own 

pace. After all, Jiro Ono has been operating his little restaurant 

since 1965, never turned it into a chain food service, nor expanded 

his dining area, and yet there is a never-shrinking waiting list of at 

least 400 people looking forward to spending 300 U.S. dollars on 

Chef Jiro Ono’s 20-course omakase menu. УВ 

5 Questions to Lesia Harasymyak 

1 

2 

What is the best thing about Winnipeg? 

The people 

What is the last ‘good read’ you enjoyed? 

Valerii Debelyi’s article about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 

in the recent Ukrainian Winnipeg magazine 

3 

4 

What was your most memorable trip? 

Our trip to British Columbia 

What is the advice you gave to your daughter 

and would want her to pass it to her children? 

Never forget your roots, your culture or your language 

5 

What is you favourite Ukrainian tradition? 

Vyshyvanka and Ukrainian food, of course

INTERVIEW. Інтерв’ю 

Borys Tarasyuk 

orys Tarasyuk, an invited guest speaker at the 26 th annual J.B. Rudnyckyi Distinguished 

Lecture hosted by the University of Manitoba, is a diplomat and politician 

B who twice served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. (1998-2000 and 2005- 

2007). From 2011-2015 and subsequently from 2018 to present, he has held the position 

of Co-President of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly. From 2015-2018 he served as 

Vice-President. In 2001, Borys Tarasyuk founded the Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation, 

and has served as the Chairman of the Board for its magazine: “Euroatlantic.” He currently 

serves as a member of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and chairs the inter-factional 

group, “Ukraine in NATO.” 

The interview was conducted by community activist Denys Volkov (DV) and a Ukrainian Winnipeg 

Magazine correspondent (UW). 

DV: We are one month away from a presidential election in Ukraine. How 

would you describe the political situation in Ukraine? 

Currently, the political situation is considered to be normal in Ukrainian 

political life. Before every election, we witness intensified political 

rivalry. It is my hope that the upcoming presidential and parliamentary 

elections are going to result in a more positive quality of internal and foreign 

policy in Ukraine. Polarization of Ukrainian society is very visible. 

There are 44 Presidential candidates which is a record high number. Most 

of the candidates are considered to be “technical”, and some are trying to 

mobilize their supporters before parliamentary elections. Only 5 or 6 have 

strong support within Ukraine’s population. There are three major rivals 

according to recent public opinion polls: current president Petro Poroshenko, 

Yulia Tymoshenko and a candidate considered to be far removed 

from politics; comedian Volodymyr Zelensky. 

UW: To what extend do you think the elections are going to be influenced 

by the administrative resource and Russian meddling? 

“The Fifth Column”, a Russian intervention, which has been evident 

since the beginning of Ukraine’s Independence, continues to operate. 

There are some candidates who will play in favour of Russia, 

particularly Oleksandr Vilkul and Yuriy Boyko. We also should not 

forget about Viktor Medvedchuk who travels freely between Moscow 

and Kyiv, and counts Vladimir Putin as godfather to his child. 

Unfortunately for Ukraine, he is also economically connected with 

the president Poroshenko. 

Administrative resource is also being actively used. Fifteen hundred, 

(1,500) cases have been filed for breaches of law. We are close to a 

month from elections. No doubt, these numbers will increase closer to 

the day of elections. It is too soon to determine if this will result in a significant 

impact on the elections. 

As the democratic society continues to grow in Ukraine, we have learned that 

fraud will neither succeed nor prevail. 

DV: How would you describe Canadian-Ukrainians relationship form the Ukrainian side? 

Ukrainian Canadian relationship has a long history. The link between Ukrainians 

and Canadians has always been the Ukrainian community in Canada, which 

started to grow in the end of 19th century and eventually became one of the 

largest. A new era of a bilateral Ukrainian Canadian relationship began when 

Nestor Gayowsky, Canada’s first Consul General to Ukraine, advised that Canada 

officially recognized Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Since 

that time, our relationship between Canada and Ukraine continues to grow and 

strengthen. The political relationship between Canada and Ukraine has reached 

a stronger level since the 2014 Russian aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine feels 

strong support from the Canadian government. 

Unfortunately, the economic component of this relationship does not correspond 

with the political component and must be analyzed and improved. 

20 Український Вінніпеґ - БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 2019 - 

BORYS 

BORYS 

BORYS

UW: Canadian government foreign policy is based on trade diversification 

and working with like-minded countries to support multilateral institutions. 

Do you think Canadian foreign policy needs to be revised considering 

geopolitical flux and tensions with the USA and China that the government 

has to deal with right now? 

BORYS 

I do not think I am in a position to advice on how to change foreign and 

domestic policies. Canada is a very experienced member of the international 

community and I believe it has enough resources to deal with 

the international or internal challenges. 

My personal opinion is that Canada is too oriented toward the USA. 

The USA market is significant, but, no single country, including Canada, 

should rely on its economic relationship with only one partner; especially 

if the partner is governed by ‘unpredictable’ leaders. Ukraine experienced 

the same situation with Russia. The Russian aggression acted 

as a catalyst for Ukraine to reorient itself onto other world markets. 

Currently the European Union is Ukraine’s primary trading partner accounting 

for 42% of its trade. 

China has become a serious economic geopolitical player. I believe 

Canada is too large to follow another country’s policies when dealing 

with China. Canada must define its own approach to its relationship with 

China, without forgetting its commitments as a NATO and G7 member. 

The current development of events in the world testifies about a 

new geopolitical reality: There is not a single country that is exempt 

from the aggressive behaviour of Russia. The international community 

should not only express its solidarity with Ukraine with the expectation 

that Russia will change, but it should be ready to defend itself from 

Russian aggression. 

DV: What is your message to Canadians who are questioning the necessity 

of continuous support that Canada provides to Ukraine? 

BORYS 

Last week, President Donald Tusk, European Council President, in his 

speech at Ukraine’s Parliament special session dedicated to the fifth anniversary 

of the dramatic Maidan events, stated that “without Ukraine 

there would be no Europe.” President Tusk said that he “could tell how 

his colleagues feel about the European Union based on how they feel 

about Ukraine, which I believe is an accurate statement.” 

You have just mentioned that Canada protects the multilateral institutions 

and free democratic world’s values. I believe that all responsible 

states have to defend the values and the principles on which international 

peace and order are based. Russia has destroyed all known 

principles staring with The Charter of the United Nations and ending 

with The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances of 1994. This 

is not about solidarity with Ukraine, this is about supporting the fundamentals 

of international peace and order, is about fighting the ruthless 

principles aggressor who is trying to divide the free world. 

UW: What motivates you to remain in Ukrainian politics, particularly in 

Batkivschyna (Fatherland) party? 

BORYS 

I feel some negative connotations in your question [smiles]. As you 

know, I used to lead the “People's Movement of Ukraine” (Narodnyi 

Rukh) party for 10 years. Since mid 2000s Rukh was a close partner 

of Batkivschyna and Yulia Tymoshenko. We were together during the 

presidential election of 2004 when she made Victor Yushchenko the 

president: the entire campaign was on her shoulders because Yushchenko 

was sick. What happened after the victory is that Yushchenko 

turned against the government of Tymoshenko. Many people, including 

myself saw a nationwide prophet in Yushchenko, but it turned out he 

was not one. Turning against his partners was his political mistake and 

we all know what happened as a result. Since that time, my motivation 

does not lean toward a person or toward a political force, but toward 

what is good for the country. It is my opinion, that what is good for the 

country now is Batkivschyna and Tymoshenko, especially when taking 

into account the danger inherent in a potential victory by Zelenksy. 

Sadly, under the current President, the peoples’ lives in Ukraine have 

not improved as the president promised. His own fortune has grown but 

he could not fulfill his promises to end the war or stop corruption. 

Special thanks to James Kominowski, Ostap Skrypnyk and Denys Volkov 

for facilitating this interview. УВ 

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21

A conversation with the 

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE METROPOLITAN 

ANDREY SHEPTYTSKY HOSPITAL IN LVIV 

Myroslava Pidhirnyj 

Could you please tell us a little about 

yourself and the hospital. 

Rev. Lohin (R.L.) After completing studies in Croatia, Innsbruck 

and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, specializing 

in bioethics, I was assigned as a member of an ecclesiastic 

committee reviewing the issue of pastoral health care 

from a Christian perspective. In 2014, I was assigned as the 

pastor and administrator of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky 

Hospital in Lviv. 

The Sheptytsky Hospital has strong linkages to Canada. It 

was founded in 1903 under Bishop Nykyta Butka, who subsequently 

became the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop in Canada. 

A Canadian, Bishop Ken Nowakiwsky, was the Hospital’s administrator 

in the 1990’s and the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood 

of the Edmonton Archeparchy provided us with our first 

X-Ray machine in 1998. Following renewal of Ukraine’s independencein 

1991, the Hospital was under the administration 

of Caritas, an international Catholic network. In 2013, Caritas 

transferred the Hospital’s administration to the Lviv Ukrainian 

Greek Catholic Archeparchy. 

What services does the Hospital provide 

and whom does it serve? 

n January 23 of this year, the interviewer had 

O 

an opportunity to meet with Rev. Dr. Andrij 

Lohin, the Administrator of the Metropolitan 

Andrey Sheptytsky Hospital in Lviv, who was in Winnipeg 

for a two-month period (December-February 2019) 

at the invitation of Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, 

Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. 

Although the interview was held in Ukrainian, this article 

has been written in English to provide information on the 

hospital and its goals to a wider audience. 

R.L.: Our mandate is to provide medical and social care to the 

poor and vulnerable of Lviv and environs, regardless of their 

nationality or religious affiliation. The Hospital itself is rather 

small, currently with a capacity of only 40 beds in one palliative 

care unit. This, however, is misleading. We operate an 

outpatient consultative and diagnostic clinic with 30 doctors of 

various specialties that see 18,000 patients annually. We are 

very active in terms of social programming: providing homecare 

for the elderly and disabled; spiritual and psychological 

assistance for veterans suffering from PTSD and individuals 

with mental illnesses; a mobile palliative care team for those 

unable to attend the walk-in clinic; a rehabilitation devices 

lending service for those unable to afford them. 

How is the Sheptytsky Hospital funded? 

R.L.: Because we are a Catholic institution and function on 

Christian principles and Catholic values, we do not receive 

any funding from the government. We basically have 3 means 

of financing: international, national and local project grants; 

private donations; and limited public financing from those 

patients who can afford to make partial patients for services 

received. Our work is enhanced through the many volunteers 

who assist us physically and financially. 


What are your future plans? 

R.L.: We recently underwent a strategic planning exercise 

and have developed a long-term plan of action. Our buildings 

(original built in 1903, reconstruction and addition in 1938, minor 

renovations since) are ageing. One of our first priorities 

is to replace our roof and create an addition for offices and a 

conference room. We plan to open a therapy unit for physical 

and psychological rehabilitation of patients following strokes 

and severe traumas. We would also like to restore our surgical 

unit in order to provide necessary operations for the socially 

vulnerable and to become a teaching hospital, improving the 

capabilities of Ukrainian surgeons by offering master classes 

for Ukrainian interns with internationally renowned surgeon. 

How can Canada’s Ukrainian diaspora 

provide support for this work? 

R.L.: For this purpose, a Benevolent Fund has been created. 

Donations can be forwarded to the Charity Fund Metropolitan 

Andrey Sheptytsky Hospital. The Fund’s banking information 

can be accessed from the Chancellery of the Ukrainian Catholic 

Church here in Winnipeg or by contacting: 

spital.ugcc@gmail.com 

All donations, large or small, will be gratefully accepted. 

УВ 

What was your purpose in coming to 

Canada, and specifically to Winnipeg? 

R.L.: This came about through discussions between Metropolitan 

Ihor Vozniak of Lviv and Canada’s Metropolitan-Archbishop, 

Most Reverend Lawrence Huculak. The purpose of my 

trip is to share information about the work and plans of the 

Andrey Sheptytsky Hospital. We sincerely hope that our valuable 

role in Ukrainian society and in the Ukrainian Catholic 

Church will be recognized and the Hospital will be supported 

by Ukrainian Catholics in Canada and around the world. 


23

UKRAINIAN WINNIPEGGERS IN KILDONAN-ST.PAUL 

I 

n 2016 Ukrainian Canadians commemorated the 150 th 

anniversary the arrival of the first settlers to Canada 

and Manitoba and to one of the many areas of Winnipeg, 

in particular, Kildonan-St.Paul. It was a distinguished 

honor for Ukrainians to be recognized by the different levels 

of government as one of the ethno-cultural leaders in Canada’s 

community that has contributed four waves of immigrational 

customs, tradition and history. 

Ukrainians have played a most significant role in advancing 

Canada’s culture by settling and offering something special to 

the place where they took residence. Many Ukrainians settled 

in Winnipeg and spread their roots on both sides of the 

Red River especially in the Kildonan district which is now the 

Kildonan-St.Paul area. Throughout those years Ukrainians 

promoted within their community, professional, businesslike 

citizens, many parliamentarians, upholding and recognizing 

their achievements and contributions. 

PETER J. MANASTYRSKY 

Presently the federal area of Kildona-St.Paul, represented 

by parliamentarian (MaryAnn Mihychuk) has always maintained 

close ties with the Ukrainian community. The Member 

of Parliament has welcomed an intern university student 

(Marta Franchuk) from Kyiv under the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary 

Program to analyze constituents in ridings who 

are of Ukrainian heritage. Marta’s assignment was to contact 

Ukrainians in Kildonan-St.Paul, reaching to hear their stories 

how their families came to Canada, where they settled, and the 

issues that mattered most. Marta Franchuk has given permission 

to share her findings. She has researched many of the 

stories within the constituency where the theme of hope for 

a better life in Canada, leaving family behind in Ukraine in 

search of a more secure place for future generations. 

Marta’s data showed that there are more than 18,000 residents 

in the riding of Kildonan-St.Paul that identify themselves 

as Ukrainian Canadians. All of them have their own 


personal stories of how their families came to Canada and how their life 

had changed ever since. Even though several generations have changed, 

Ukrainians in Kildonan-St.Paul still remember the story how their family 

came to Canada and to this day communicate in the Ukrainian language. 

On the other hand, time has played a significant role, connections with 

relatives who live in Ukraine have been lost and even no one to visit; only 

half of the Ukrainians surveyed in the riding believe that they still have 

relatives back in Ukraine. 

In order to really understand the residents of Kildonan-St.Paul, Marta 

focused on over 600 households, getting to know them, listening to 

their passionate stories how their ancestors left 

Ukraine in order to find a better place for their 

future because of hard times, lack of crops, tremendous 

hardship. Canada became their new 

home, Kildonan-St.Paul absorbed many Ukrainians 

from western Ukraine. Even living so far 

from Ukraine, Ukrainians from the riding of Kildonan-St.Paul 

always tried to be in touch with 

their relatives; 32% visited Ukraine at least once 

in their life, on the other hand, the percentage 

of relatives from Ukraine on a visit to Canada is 

only 11%. The difference in percentage between 

visiting Ukraine and visiting Canada probably 

stems on the high fee for a visitor Visa to Canada. 

A solution to this dilemma, the Government of 

Canada should grant Ukrainian nationals with a 

biometric passport (passport that has an embedded 

electronic microprocessor chip) and allow 

visa-free travel to Canada, making a long-standing 

relationship with Ukraine. 

Marta presents another important data in her research, 

more than 93% of Ukrainians in the riding 

of Kildonan-St.Paul support the idea of providing 

CBC programming, also having the National Film 

board involved in Ukraine; a cultural exchange to 

build a stronger tie between Canada and Ukraine. 

What Marta found astonishing in the Kildonan-St. 

Paul area that Ukrainians continue to speak their 

mother language at home, but the most interesting 

aspect is that Ukrainian Canadians follow everything 

that is going on in Ukraine. Marta mentions 

in her research that the constituents of Kildonan- 

St.Paul are proud to remember their family stories, 

the opportunity to pass their legacy from 

generation to generation. 

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Paul but throughout Canada continue to retain 

their values, traditions and a language which has 

become part of the way of life. What Marta Franchuk 

has presented in her research illustrates that 

the Ukrainian community no matter where it has 

settled, will always have a sense of belonging to 

both Canada and Ukraine. УВ 

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25

New Easter CD 

by 

CHABLUK FAMILY 

Marko Moroz 

O 

n Easter Sunday, the joyous exclamation 

of Христос Bоскрес! 

Christ has Risen! is met with the 

fervent response of Воістину Bоскрес! 

Indeed He has Risen! The new Easter 

album by the Chabluk family, appropriately 

named Христос Bоскрес, is truly 

an enthusiastic response to Christ’s 

resurrection from the dead, establishing 

that He is truly the Son of God. The 

words Христос Bоскрес are sung over 

150 times on this album reinforcing this 

important message! 

Easter is the most important celebration of the Christian Church. It is called Великдень 

or The Great Day! We commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb 

on the third day after His crucifixion conquering death and promising everlasting 

life! This CD is filled with joyful songs including 15 variations of Христос Bоскрес, 

liturgical pieces and two arrangements of Alleluia that are sure to instantly fill your 

heart with Christ’s love for us during this Easter season. 

Bill and Maryka Chabluk with their children; Katrusia, Mikhas and Ivas have selected 

their favourite Ukrainian Easter hymns and liturgical responses for this joyous season. 

The album is sure to delight everyone, presenting lush harmonies sung in Ukrainian 

and Church Slavonic with some English verses. Mikhas and Ivas together with Julian 

Burdeniuk and Myron Burdeniuk, ЧУБ – Чотири Українські Брати - Four Ukrainian 

Brothers, sing two awesome arrangements 

in this Христос Bоскрес collection. 

Guest vocalist Scott Chabluk also 

assisted as music advisor. Inspired 

musical arrangements, recording and 

mastering are by Tom Koroluk. The 

creative CD artwork and posters are 

by Ivanka Waplak. 

The Chabluk family has always 

enjoyed singing together and singing 

with other choirs. When the family 

would travel by van from Winnipeg 

to Regina to celebrate Easter with 

family, the long road trips presented 

the perfect opportunity to sing together. 

They would sing songs travelling 

there and back. The family van became 

the rehearsal “booth” for faith 

filled liturgical pieces, folk songs and 

of course, Easter music! These road 

trips set a foundation for family collaborations 

on many musical projects. 

Members of the Chabluk family have 


shared their talents over the years 

through various choirs including Hoosli 

Male Chorus, O. Koshetz Choir and Melos 

Folk Ensemble. Other unique musical 

projects include Ukrainian recordings 

with Duet Maryna, Molodtsi Dance Band 

and Zrada. 

Net proceeds from CD sales go to support 

Home of Hope in Lviv, Ukraine, a 

ministry of the Sisters Servants of Mary 

Immaculate funded through the the 

Lubov SSMI Foundation. The Chabluk 

family is very connected to the Sisters 

Servants of Mary Immaculate. All 

children attended Immaculate Heart 

of Mary School and Maryka attended 

Sacred Heart Academy, which was a 

SSMI school in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. 

At different times, the family has had 

opportunities to visit orphanages in 

Ukraine and Katrusia volunteered at the 

Help us Help the Children Camp near 

Yaremche, for two summers. They feel 

a strong commitment to support Home 

of Hope, where the purpose is to be a 

safe home for orphan girls who leave 

orphanages at age 16. 

The Христос Bоскрес CD is a collection 

of joyful Ukrainian Easter Hymns 

in celebration of Christ’s glorious 

resurrection. The angelic voices of the 

Chabluk Family are an excellent accompaniment 

to one’s own Easter journey. 

During the time of Lent, we are encouraged 

to sacrifice and meditate on comprehending 

Christ’s great sacrifice for 

us. This album is an excellent reminder 

of the great news that is to come at the 

end of this journey… Христос Bоскрес! 

Christ has Risen! УВ 

The CD will be for sale at the Home of Hope 

Fundraising Breakfast at Holy Eucharist 

Parish Hall on Saturday, April 13th at 10:00 

a.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance 

from UCWLC members, contact 204-942- 

0443 or lubovfoundation.ca 

Duet Maryna, Maryka and Iryna Wilson recorded three albums; Reflections of our 

Pioneers, Till We Meet Again and Christmas Carols, Joyful News. As they rehearsed for 

performances across the continent, their five children were often in tow, enjoying their 

mothers’ music. After Gigi bought Mikhas his first violin, Vuyko Darko gave Ivas his accordion 

and Vuyko Ivan from Ukraine, gave Katrusia a sopilka, the musical talents continued 

to develop. Molodtsi, Katrusia, Mikhas, Ivas, Brett Koroluk and Brittany Lasko recorded 

two albums, Ukrainian Dance Melodies I and II. 

These young musicians learned the “old time favourites,” and soon played like pros 

evolving their own unique style. The family all contributed to Maryka’s Treasures, a 

musical collection of songs for families interested in learning Ukrainian. This CD comes 

with an activity book containing all the lyrics and almost 40 pages of puzzles and games. 

Mikhas tours and performs with popular, high energy band Zrada with three recordings, 

Ethomachina, Legend and The Fog. 

CDs and downloads are available at 

MarykasTreasures.com, Yevshan, 

Ukrainian Gift Shops, www.cdbaby.com 

or by phone (204) 797-7015 


27

Ukrainian Professional Business 

Club of Winnipeg Inc. (UPBC) 

and 

English-Ukrainian Bilingual 

Program (EUBP) in Manitoba 

Luba Fedorkiw - School Trustee 

Winnipeg School Division 

(1977-83, 1995-99) 

Standing (left to right): Bishop A.J. Roborecky, Senator Paul Yuzyk, Mark Smerchanski, M.P., Rt. Hon. 

Pierre E. Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, speaker at the UCC Banquet 1971 (where he announced 

Canada's multiculturalism policy), Rev. Dr. W. Kushnir 

2018 – 2019 mark two significant and 

parallel milestones. Firstly, the 75th 

anniversary of the Ukrainian Professional 

and Business Club of Winnipeg Inc. and 

secondly, the 40th anniversary of the 

English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program in 

Manitoba. 

T 

he Ukrainian Professional and 

Business Club and their delegation 

initially met in March, 1978 with 

the newly elected Conservative Premier 

of Manitoba, Sterling Lyon Q.C. requesting 

two specific amendments to the Public 

School Act: 1) to permit languages other 

than English or French as languages of instruction 

in the public school system and 

2) consideration to inaugurate the English- 

Ukrainian Bilingual Program. 

The relationship between prominent municipal, 

provincial and federal politicians 

with both the UPBC (established in 1943) 

and the Ukrainian Canadian Committee 

(created in 1940 and renamed Congress in 

1989) was well understood in the Ukrainian 

community. UCC acted as the co-ordinating 

body representing all Ukrainians (excluding 

extreme left leaning communist organizations) 

in matters of ethno-cultural and 

political life in Canada while the UPBC’s 

role was focused on specifics of need and 

implementation. 

Both worked within the Canadian political 

framework to lobby, advance policies and 

gain the respect and acceptance in the integral 

structures of nation building. 

The UPBC’s mission was to serve in promoting and supporting Ukrainian culture, education 

and topical initiatives in the community. The 50 th Anniversary Review entitled “Ukrainian 

Professional and Business Club of Winnipeg” (to be referred to again) p. 11 states: 

“During its 50 year history many essential institutions and projects were initiated, 

seeded or otherwise promoted by our Club for the benefit of the Ukrainian community. 

Included are the Ukrainian War Veterans Branch 141, the Department of Slavic Studies 

at the University of Manitoba, Holy Family Nursing Home, St. Andrew’s College, summer 

camps, University bursaries, high school Ukrainian honour awards and more recently, 

the establishment of Ukrainian bilingual programs in the public schools of Manitoba.” 

As the UPBC celebrates its 75 th anniversary, it is with justifiable 

pride that their role in re-establishing bilingual public 

school education in Manitoba be acknowledged. 

The 1960s were controversial, shocking and innovative. 

The baby-boomer generation witnessed history on the world 

stage. Nationally, in 1960, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker’s 

Progressive Conservative government passed the Canadian 

Bill of Rights, which formally recognized the rights already 

held by Canadians under common law. This legislation made 

clear the rights all were entitled to as citizens of Canada. 

Young politicians of ethno backgrounds were prominent and 

visible at all levels of government. Prof. Paul Yuzyk was appointed 

to the Senate (1963) where in his maiden speech he 

addressed the contributions and role of the “third element” 

of Canada’s population, neither French nor English. Prime 

Minister Lester Pearson created the Royal Commission on 

Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963-71) examining the role 

of Canada’s two languages/cultures as they relate to Canadian identity. Professor J. Rudnyckyj, 

Head of Dept. of Slavic Studies at the University of Manitoba and Commissioner 

of the B&B Commission initiated the argument that the term “bicultural” change to “multicultural” 

to better reflect Canada’s diversity. Canadian universities were seats of heated 

debate. Canada celebrated its Centennial in 1967. The Official Languages Act (1969) declared 

Canada a bilingual nation. The educational system required an overhaul where 

students were legislated to study the official languages. Quebec was reassessing its role 

in federalism. 


In this time capsule, academics, politicians, educators, business 

people and those eager to rediscover their own identity offered 

support to the next generation. Canadian born and naturalized 

post WWII Ukrainian immigrants began to collaborate and find 

common purpose through their societal structures. 

Among the active organizations, the UPBC and UCC steered the 

political waters, seeking every opportunity to profile historic 

Ukrainian contributions to Canada while at the same time considering 

political opportunities to revisit certain causes. 

One identified cause, originally defined in the Manitoba School 

Act, referred to as the Laurier-Greenway Compromise (1897) 

“where ten of the pupils speak the French language, other than English, as 

their native language, the teaching for such pupils shall be conducted in 

French or such other language, and English upon the bilingual system,” 

unmistakeably allowed for minority language instruction in 

public schools were numbers warranted. Without restriction in 

the legislation, the logical outcome resulted in the establishment 

of Ukrainian bilingual schools in Manitoba firstly in Stuartburn 

(1898) and eventually in other newly settled districts. This included 

opportunities for both Polish and German bilingual schools. 

The Thorton Act (1916) reversed the amendments under The 

Laurier-Greenway Compromise. 

The bilingual system of education was nullified creating compulsory 

unilingual (English) instruction in public education. This 

served as the means of Canadianizing the immigrant. 

Fast forwarding into the 1960s, through the initiatives of UPBC 

lobbying, the Ukrainian language was introduced as an accredited 

subject into public high schools. Gradualism, patience and timing 

were important to achieve this success. 

On the heels of The Official Language Act (1969) it was important 

to note that the federal government departed from the B&B Commission’s 

findings and pursued the concept of multiculturalism. 

October 7, 1971 was a watershed date in Canada’s history. The 

Policy of Multiculturalism unanimously passed in the House of 

Commons. Further, Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau chose 

the Tenth Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Kongres Ukrajintsiv v 

Kanadi) held in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Hotel Fort Gary (October 

8-11, 1971) to publicize the Policy of Multiculturalism announced 

the day prior in Ottawa. Congregated were delegates of 

multiple Ukrainian organizations across Canada. Eminently assembled 

were members of the Ukrainian Professional and Business 

Club of Winnipeg and the Canadian Federation. 

Prime Minister Trudeau’s preferential platform spoke to the significant 

contribution of UCC (under Rev. Msg. B. Kushnir), Senator 

Paul Yuzyk (acclaimed Father of Multiculturalism), elected 

Members of Parliament, Legislators, Mayors, academics, community 

leaders and all those who either in a private or public 

forum contributed to the policy which at that time provided the 

infrastructure for what defined Canada then and still does now. 

As guest speaker at the Saturday banquet Prime Minister Trudeau 

stated: 

“Every ethnic group has a right to preserve and develop its own 

culture and values within the Canadian context. To say we have 

two official languages is not to say that we have two official cultures, 

and no particular culture is more ‘official’ than another. A 

policy of multiculturalism must be a policy for all Canadians.” 

In January, 1972 the Ministry of Multiculturalism was created. 

Government funding supported the Consultative Council on Multiculturalism. 

As the framework to extend the policy of multiculturalism 

evolved, Ukrainians were well represented in this sphere 

by most notably Prof. M. Lupul (1973-80), UCC and UPBC Federation 

or surrogates during the formative years leading to provincial 

legislation formulating opportunities for both language and 

cultural advancement. 

In the ensuing years, Alberta took the lead to initiate Ukrainian 

bilingual education. They became the model Manitoba aspired to 

emulate. Indeed, some Manitoba teachers found teaching opportunities 

in Alberta’s prolific multicultural environment. 

In Manitoba, the UPBC strategy included inviting prominent 

politicians and business guest speakers to addressed their monthly 

meetings on topics of circulating interest. In the atmosphere of 

collegial debate, networking opportunities were expanded. 

The Board of Directors of UPBC quickly established the position 

of Education Liaison. The Education Committee included John 

Pankiw, William Solypa and Ernest Cicerski. Chaired by William 

(Bill) Solypa in 1974-75, its members: Dr. B. Bilash, S. Klym, P. Luba, 

J. Pankiw, J. Pyra, L. Tomaschuk and E. Uzwyshyn drafted a brief 

presented in delegation to the Winnipeg School Board on January 

21, 1975. The key challenge was the second language policy of the 

school division as being restrictive and contrary to provincial legislation. 

Successful in having the Board correct this, instruction of 

the Ukrainian language was allowed at the grade 1-3 level. 

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29

In the spring of 1976, UPBC approached Hon. Sterling Lyon 

Q.C. (Progressive Conservative Leader of the Opposition) exploring 

the feasibility of initiating an English Ukrainian Bilingual 

Program as per the Alberta model. By November, 1976 the 

UPBC submitted a brief to the Progressive Conservative Caucus 

with projected recommendations. They also successfully lobbied 

the provincial government and seconded Mrs. S. Yurkiwsky 

as Ukrainian language consultant to the Department of 

Education. 

While interacting with UCPBF (Ukrainian Canadian Professional 

and Business Federation) and UCC, $75,000 was raised 

for CIUS (Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies) and language 

camps. 

In early March, 1978 UPBC and UCC delegation met newly 

elected Premier Sterling Lyon and requested: 1) an amendment 

to the Public School Act to permit languages other than English 

and French be languages of instruction in the public school 

system and 2) inauguration of English Ukrainian Bilingual Program. 

At the 31 st Legislative Session (2) on March 16, 1978 Premier 

S. Lyon’s Progressive Conservative government’s first Throne 

Speech, read by Lt. Gov. Francis Jobin stated: “My government 

is giving consideration to a pilot program within the public 

school system to provide instruction in languages other than 

English and French.” 

To facilitate this, Minister of Education, Mr. Keith Cosens 

would prepare enabling legislation to amend Bill 57, “An Act 

to amend The Public School Act.” On July 20, 1978 royal ascent 

was given to amend The Public School Act Section 252 (2) “permitting 

languages other than English and French as languages 

of instruction for not more than 50 percent of regular school 

hours.” 

At that same time the UPBC Steering Committee, chaired by 

Dr. L. Melosky formalized their name and with the assistance 

of the Ukrainian Students Union at the University of Manitoba 

began surveying over 1800 households to assess the next steps 

for realizing such educational programming. 

In November, 1978 the Department of Education identified 

three school divisions for the pilot program. These were: Winnipeg 

School Division, Agassiz and Transcona-Springfield. 

At the 31 st Legislature Session (3) on February 15, 1979 Premier 

Sterling Lyon’s Progressive Conservative government’s Throne 

Speech read by Lt. Gov. Francis Jobin stated: “My government 

has a continuing concern for improving bilingual and multicultural 

aspects of our educational system……In addition a pilot 

program in Ukrainian immersion classes in kindergarten and 

Grade 1 will be established this year.” These words signaled the 

provincial government’s commitment to introduce the three 

year pilot EUBP (K-Gr.1) effective September,1979 - International 

Year of the Child as declared by the United Nations. 

Jan.-March, 1979 Agassiz School Division - pilot in Beausejour 

Elementary 

Transcona-Springfield - pilot in Oakbank and Regent Park 

Elementary 

March 20, 1979 Winnipeg School Board received Chief Superintendent 

H. Pollock’s Report No. 914. It outlined the recommendations 

for piloting EUBP. Following further meetings with 

stakeholders, on June 19, 1979 on a personal note, it was my 

pleasure as the elected school trustee* from Ward 3 along with 

my colleagues: Trustees Isobel Sudol, Mary Kardash, Mira Spivak, 

Elizabeth Willcock, Margaret Trott, Inez Stevenson, Les Slingsby 

and Scotti Borgford to witness and approve the pilot grade one 

class at Ralph Brown School. 

Mr. William (Bill) Solypa was appointed Superintendent of Elementary 

Programs and it was under his mandate that the program 

flourished. 

In April, 1979 Seven Oaks School division petitioned for an 

EUBP pilot program. On June, 1979 the non pilot EUBP was located 

at H.C. Avery School. 

The Public School Act subsection 72 (2) was amended to read 

that a school board had the discretionary power to provide instruction 

in a language when there are more than 23 students enrolled 

in a program. 

The initial successes allowed two students to be hired at the Dept. 

of Education. They were to develop supplemental educational resources. 

The Inter Provincial Curriculum Committee (Manitoba, 

Saskatchewan and Alberta) were instrumental in this endeavour. 

In September, 1979 when the Department of Education grants 

were apportioned to the pilot programs, the Ukrainian Business 

and Professional Club sought additional grants from the Federal 

Department of the Secretary of State to fund supplemental readers. 

DZVIN Publisher was formed as a vehicle for this initiative. 

Vasyl’ Balan, Assistant Regional Director for the Federal Department 

of Secretary of State assisted UBPC and MPUE to obtain 

the necessary grants and network with French, Hebrew and 

German parent organizations. The federal funding in commitments 

and monies as part of the heritage language funding totaled 

$150,000.00. 

June 3, 1980 marked the inaugural meeting of the parent committees 

under the title Manitoba Parents Committee for Ukrainian 

Education. The first president was Terry Prychitko, Ukrainian 

Business and Professional Club member and one of the originals 

who met with Sterling Lyon Q.C. in 1978. The co-ordinating body 

adopted a Constitution and set out to meet their mandate. 

The role of UPBC remained as one of support as in short order 

MPUE incorporated. 

John Pankiw, President of UPBC in 1980 and also Superintendent 

in the Winnipeg School Division stated: “the Club did concentrate 

its major effort in building a solid base for EUBP before 

turning over responsibilities to a parent oriented group.” 

Michael Sawka, President of UPBC in 1981 and also a School 

Trustee in Seven Oaks School Division stated: “The EUBP was 

established in Manitoba mainly through the persistent efforts of 

our Club. We have now placed the responsibility…into the hands 

…of M.P.U.E.” 

The Ukrainian Professional and Business Club redirected their 

interest into scholarships, bursaries, awards and funding higher 

institutions of learning. 

The pilot enrolment in EUBP rose to 540 students in nine schools 

(six school divisions). 

Evaluated by the Department of Education in 1980-81 and 1981- 

82 the results demonstrated positive outcomes, specifically as 

outlined by Emma Chapman, An Evaluation of the First Two Years 

of English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program: Summary Report dated 

September, 1981, page.16, no. 3 stated: “It was concluded that par- 


ents, teachers and administrators want to see the program extended 

to the end of Grade Six.” Also, same title, dated February, 

1982, page. 9 Section. D stated: Overall, from the results of both 

the interim and final evaluations, it appears as though students 

in the English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program are developing English 

language arts skills at a level comparable to that displayed by 

students in the regular program, as well as learning the Ukrainian 

language.” 

Dzvin Publishers incorporated in December, 1981 followed by 

The Osvita Foundation. 

Michael Sawka, UPBC President stated: “M.P.U.E. has incorporated 

the Osvita Foundation with the backing of our Club in order 

to create a financial base to fund its activities. A target of half a 

million dollars has been set to be raised mainly through testimonial 

dinners.” 

The Minister of Education, Hon. Maureen Hemphill approved 

the extension of EUBP to the Grade 6 level on a pilot basis at the 

meeting of M.P.U.E on March 25, 1982. 

That year, R.F. Morrison School in the Seven Oaks School Division 

became the site of the new EUBP, M.P.U.E. relocated to 1675 

Main Street and further successes followed with additional funding 

for supplemental resources. 

The work of the Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education deserves 

a separate article outlining their initiatives and achievements. 

Their 40 th anniversary is imminent. 

Without any hesitation, at this auspicious time, I would humbly 

recommend the nomination of The Ukrainian Professional and 

Business Club of Winnipeg Inc. (their 75 th Anniversary) for the 

OSVITA FOUNDATION AWARD acknowledging all members 

for their individual and collective contribution to the English- 

Ukrainian Ukrainian Program. УВ 

1940 Main St. 

Winnipeg, MB 

Ph.: (204) 558-5999 

MON-SAT: 10 am - 7 pm 

SUN: 11 am - 5 pm 

Sources: 

accessible@parl.gc.ca 

6-1575 Regent Ave. W. 

Winnipeg, MB 

Ph.: (204) 219-1812 

MON-FRI: 11 am - 7 pm 

SAT: 10 am - 7 pm 

SUN: 11 am - 5 pm 

5-605 Sterling Lyon Pkwy. 

Winnipeg, MB 

Ph.: (204) 219-3025 

MON-SAT: 10 am - 7 pm 

SUN: 11 am - 6 pm 

Bilash, Borislaw, N. Bilingual Schools in Manitoba 1897-1916, Ukrainian 

Educational Services, Winnipeg,1960, 1979 

Derkatz, Marcella, “Ukrainian Language Education in Manitoba Public 

Schools: Reflections on a Centenary,” in Issues in the History of Education in 

Manitoba From the Construction of Common Schools to the Politics of Voices, 

ed. Rosa del C. Bruno-Jofre, Lewiston, N.Y, Edwin Mellen Press, 1993 

www.gov.mb.ca 

Hansard Manitoba 1978,1979 

50thAnniversary Review: Book II The Second Quarter Century 1968-1993 

(Winnipeg: Ukrainian Professional and Business Club of Winnipeg Inc. 1994 

eds. John Pankiw, Chairman, George Berko, Michael Kepron, Nestor Mudry 

and Bill Nosaty. 

Schur, Patricia Ann, The Creation of Manitoba’s English-Ukrainian Bilingual 

Program (1976-93), M.Ed. Thesis Dept. of Graduate Studies, University of 

Manitoba, 2002 

www.mhs.mb.ca, www.poltext.org, www.wsd.com personal knowledge as 

an educator, school trustee, member of professional associations, Ukrainian 

brochures, news media, minutes and event programming. (article submitted 

without prejudice) 


31

Вінніпеґ Український № 3 (49) (March 2019)

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