Dear Friends,  

In Ukrainian April is kveetenj, or the month of flowers. Hopefully the ice and snow are starting to melt away near you so those spring flowers can finally emerge. In between making pysanky and preparing for Easter, we invite you to download our Pysanka colouring sheets:  

• Pysanka colouring sheet 1
• Pysanka colouring sheet 2

In this month’s bulletin you’ll find important information on the upcoming federal election including our National Policy Guide. Stay tuned later in the month when we will publish the much-anticipated results of our survey of party leaders. 

With the election starting, we have Andrii Hrynko our Parliamentary Intern working in our Ottawa office, and you can read his report in this month’s bulletin. We are also excited to welcome Laryssa Luszczki as our new Outreach & Program Coordinator next week. You can read more about Laryssa below. 

Finally, there are just 225 days to go until the opening of the XXVIII Triennial Congress in Toronto! We’re actively looking for sponsorships, nominations for leadership awards, and we will have registration open later this month! 

Slava Ukraini! 

Ihor Michalchyshyn

CEO & Executive Director

UCC CEO and Executive Director Ihor Michalchyshyn presents 

the UCC’s National Policy Priorities ahead of the 2025 Federal Election

Your Ukrainian Canadian community

and the 2025 Federal Election

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) encourages all members of our community and all Canadians to get involved and have their voice heard in the upcoming federal election, which will be held April 28.

The UCC will be working hard to ensure our community is well-informed about the issues and positions of parties and candidates. Today, the UCC is launching its 2025 Election Guide, which provides information about how to vote and get involved in the election, as well as questions that individuals can ask their local candidates.

The UCC’s Policy Priorities for the 2025 Election are:

• Canadian security and defence
• Canadian and global energy security
• Supporting Ukraine’s defence
• Isolating and holding Russia to account
• Assisting Displaced Ukrainians

The UCC is conducting its 2025 Federal Election Survey of Party Leaders, based on the UCC’s Policy Priorities and issues of importance to our community. We will be publishing the results of the survey closer to election day.

Celebrating Easter Together As a Community

This year, both Easter celebrations fall on the same day — April 20. Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and gratitude. It reminds us to celebrate miracles, cherish our loved ones, and embrace the traditions that bring us together.

You may have already received — or will soon receive— our special Easter mailer, featuring a message from UCC President Alexandra Chyczij. In the spirit of the season, we invite you to visit our website to explore the rich and beautiful traditions of Ukrainian Easter.

Applications Open for the Youth Ambassadors Program

Become the Ambassador of the Ukrainian Canadian community!

Are you a motivated Ukrainian Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30, looking to make a positive impact in your community? The Youth Ambassador Program is designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and network to create meaningful change.

What You Will Gain:

• Practical leadership experience
• Expert-led training on relevant topics
• Mentorship and networking opportunities
• Support in developing community-based projects
• An opportunity to make a significant impact in your community

Key Dates:

Applications Open: March 15, 2025

Information Session: April 3, 2025 Learn more

UCC launches call for National Award Nominations

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is pleased to announce a call for National Award Nominations.

The following Awards will be presented at the Triennial Congress held on November 14 to 16, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario:

• Taras Shevchenko Medal
• National Leadership Award
• Youth Leadership Award

“Every three years UCC recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the community development in various fields. I encourage all community members to nominate worthy individuals or organizations,” stated UCC National President Alexandra Chyczij.

Award nominations can be quickly and easily completed online using our new online forms. Deadline for applications is June 30, 2025.

Parliamentary Intern Report April 2025

Andrii Hrynko, Parliamentary Intern 2024-2025: “As the federal election is coming soon in April, I am approaching my 8-th month as a UCC Parliamentary Intern. Although the Parliament had been prorogued since late December, the past few months at my MP’s office were productive. I have obtained new experiences and attained new skills.

Working on projects related to researching parliamentary and committee speeches, stakeholders and settlement services, I performed extensive database and parliamentary website research, as well as other duties. My wonderful staffer coworkers and MP Jenny Kwan assisted my excellence at the workplace with their meaningful guidance and friendly attitude....



Read more on the website

UCC Welcomes Laryssa Luszczki as our

new Outreach & Program Coordinator

Laryssa Luszczki, a McGill graduate in International Relations and Development, was born and raised in Quebec with roots in Ternopil, Ukraine.

Active in the Ukrainian community, she serves as Holovna Vyhovnytsia for the Ukrainian Youth Association, organizes summer camps, and teaches at a Ukrainian school. Laryssa is fluent in English, French, and Ukrainian, excelling in communication, teamwork, and event planning.

She is excited to start her new role as the National Outreach and Program Coordinator for UCC and looks forward to this new journey.

Announcing recipient of the UCC Koliada artwork

Congratulations to

Ellen Ternowski of St. Catharines, ON!

Ellen is the lucky winner of the original painting "Christmas Miracle" by Marko and Oleh Zaruma, donated by the Dzherelo Rehabilitation Centre in Lviv, as part of the UCC Koliada Campaign draw.

This December and January, anyone who donated $100 or more was automatically entered into the draw.

THANK YOU!! ДЯКУЮ!!

Your generosity for the 2024/2025 Koliada campaign is supporting our Ukrainian community and everything that we do is in support of Ukraine.

HOLODOMOR Hot Off The Press webinar series

𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨 by 𝗖𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻

16 April 2025

7ᴘᴍ ᴇᴅᴛ / 5ᴘᴍ ᴍᴅᴛ / 4ᴘᴍ ᴘᴅᴛ

A free author reading & interview open to all.

Registration link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_seh5mi6PT6qHRz_HXRpWRw#/registration

Webinar page:

https://education.holodomor.ca/holodomor-hot-off-the-press/

HREC Education guest host 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐳 Ś𝐰𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢 speaks with author 𝗖𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻 who will read from her historical fiction 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨 (2024, 496 pages), recipient of the International Petersen Literary Emerging Writers Award. LeBrun's novel is a heartfelt exploration of one family’s survival during the Holodomor of courage, love, and the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people under Stalin. Told from the alternating perspectives of a father and his daughter, it draws from personal testimonies and extensive historical research.

SUSK Congress: National Student Event

SUSK Congress is the annual gathering of Ukrainian Canadian students from universities and colleges across Canada. It provides a platform for students to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss topics relevant to the Ukrainian Canadian community. Through workshops, panels, and social events, attendees build networks, develop leadership skills, and collaborate on projects.

📍 SUSK Congress 2025: 

"Together for the victory of Ukraine" will take place in Saskatoon!

📅 Dates: May 8-11, 2025



Why You Should Attend SUSK Congress 2025

• Gain insights into Canada-Ukraine relations and the role of advocacy.
• Learn effective advocacy and media strategies to amplify your voice.
• Explore opportunities for youth, including leadership and professional development.
• Deepen your understanding of Ukrainian history and local culture in Saskatoon.
• Connect with Ukrainian students and professionals from across Canada and build lasting networks.
• Visit Saskatoon’s biggest Ukrainian festival and experience our traditions firsthand.

Bridging Indigenous and Ukrainian Traditions

Métis Crossing – a discussion about community networks and development by Tiffany Shaw

This presentation will focus on the collaboration, creativity, and community-building efforts Reimagine Architects implemented with Métis Crossing over the past 20 years, such as site masterplans, the Gathering Centre, the Boutique Lodge, Sky Watching Domes and related infrastructure such as a water treatment plant.

Building Bonds: The Evolution of Ukrainian Gatherings in East Central Alberta by Pamela Trischuk

This presentation delves into the heart of the Ukrainian community in east central Alberta through the lens of gatherings. It explores how traditional gathering spaces and practices from the old country were disrupted and reimagined in the Canadian landscape. In creating new ways to connect, Ukrainian settlers adapted their cultural identity to a new context, navigated the challenges of a new homeland, and fostered community bonds that endure to this day.

April 10

3-4 PM MDT