September 2021 Canadian Newsletter
Greetings!
It was a very busy and exciting August to be a Ukrainian Canadian, with more than 40 events across Canada to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of the renewal of Ukraine’s independence! 
 
Our summer students have put together a wonderful video montage from the many community celebrations which you can view below. It was particularly exciting to see such strong representation from Atlantic Canada, including for the first time in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.  
 
As Canada's federal election continues, we encourage you to review our six policy priorities and make a plan to cast your vote either in advance or on election day – September 20. More information is available below on our 2021 Federal Elections website, including materials in Ukrainian. 
 
We were very sad to learn of the death of Robert Semenciw, who has been an extremely generous donor and humble supporter of the UCC. You can read more about him below in our Donors Corner. I will miss our regular conversations over the years and his steady encouragement for our ongoing work. 

Finally, I'm pleased to see that there are online and in-person events starting to be planned for the fall. Please take a look below to see what events you might want to participate in. The UCC will be planning more online events and workshop this fall on a variety of topics, so stay tuned. 
Ihor Michalchyshyn
CEO & Executive Director
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the UCC Charitable & Education Trust have developed 6 key policy priorities through extensive consultation and research which included community engagement.
At the forefront of issues that unite the community, the UCC has developed informed, front-line perspectives on public policy challenges that impact our community and the broader Canadian public.

  • Strengthening Canada-Ukraine Defence and Security Relations
  • Supporting Democratic and Economic Reform in Ukraine
  • Ensuring Quality, Safe and Affordable Care for Seniors
  • Welcoming Newcomers to Canada
  • Helping Our Culture Flourish
  • Fighting Online Hate and Disinformation

Each briefing document is listed can be viewed online and or downloaded individually.

UCC Updates & News
August 24, 2021. OTTAWA, ON. Today, the Ukrainian people and Ukrainians around the world celebrate the 30th anniversary of the renewal of Ukraine’s independence and statehood. 

On August 24, 1991, Ukraine's Parliament, exercising the inviolable right of the Ukrainian people to self-determination, declared Ukraine an indivisible, democratic, independent State.  

Today, the freedom of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine’s statehood is defended by the courageous men and women of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, who protect their country from Russia’s war of aggression. As we celebrate Ukraine’s independence, we pay tribute to those whose bravery and valour made it possible, and to those who safeguard that independence today. May God protect them.  

Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day
For 130 years, Ukrainians have called Canada home – and have made indelible and enduring contributions to the cultural, political, social and economic life of our country – enriching the mosaic of our society.
 
On September 7 every year, Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day is officially celebrated in Ontario and Alberta. On the last Saturday of July, Manitoba celebrates Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day.

UCC Halifax AGM - Sept 16
You are invited to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Nova Scotia Branch AGM

When: Sep 16, 2021 17:00 Eastern Time
(US and Canada)
 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
DONOR'S CORNER
Major Donor, Mr. Robert (Bob) Semenciw
“Life is an opportunity to make a difference,” and our donor Robert (Bob) Semenciw indeed made a difference not only as a philanthropist but also in his professional life as a statistician. Mr. Semenciw became our donor in 2015 and graciously donated more than $1.1 million in support of the UCC’s work in the last five years.

Like his parents, Mr. Semenciw was born in Canada. His mother, Margaret Louise Perry, was of Irish descent, while his father, Bud (Bogdan Joseph Semenciw), was of Ukrainian descent.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Semenciw at his home in December 2017 to thank him personally for his donations. I remember driving to his Scarborough home expecting a big house and a big personality. Instead, his house was an average-sized bungalow, and Robert struck me as a very humble gentleman.
When he opened the door through the crack, I could see an older person sitting in a wheelchair. I recently found out from Robert’s cousin Jill that that was his ailing mother, for whom he moved from Ottawa to Toronto over ten years ago so he could take care of her as her wish was to remain at home until the end.


Janine Kuzma, CFRE
UCC National Fund Development Manager
UPDATES FROM UCC COMMITTEES
UCC National Archives Committee
The UCC Archives Committee and the Sustainable Ukrainian Canadian Heritage program at the Kule Folklore Centre are pleased to invite you to an online workshop on managing electronic records.

Good records management is crucial for any organization and its functions. This free workshop is an introduction to electronic recordkeeping and information management practices in the digital world. It is aimed primarily at community organizations who don't have an established records management program, but will also be useful to any individual who would like to learn how to work and manage one's institutional or private records more effectively.

The instructor is Olena Kit, a Senior Consultant, Advisory, KPMG LLP, and a member of the UCC Archives Committee.

COMMUNITY NEWS
Forum TV
Forum TV & Президент Конґресу Українців Канади, відділ Торонто Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Toronto Branch Петро Штурин 
Petro Schturyn та заступник голови зовнішніх справ КУК Торонто Марійка Стадник Marijka Stadnyk.

Musée St. Paul Museum exhibit is dedicated to Ukrainian settlers in the area.
Enduring spirit of Ukrainian settlers captured in St. Paul exhibit

Clare Gauvreau from LakelandToday interviewed Amil Shapka on The Musée St. Paul Museum new exhibit showcasing the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian pioneers who settled in the region between 1891 and 1920.

The exhibit has been carefully curated to tell the local stories of the Ukrainian families who settled there, names that are still very familiar in the area today.

SUSK National Congress 2021
The Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) is delighted to report the successful Completion of the 2021 National SUSK Virtual Congress - Leaders of Tomorrow.
Press the link below to read the President’s Message reflecting on the Congress.

Job Opportunity:
Sts. Peter And Paul Residence - Chief Administrative Officer
Your career at Sts. Peter and Paul Residence gives you the opportunity to maintain the high degree of health and well-being of seniors. You will achieve this with exceptional leadership skills that focus on your employees having the right tools and skills to perform their duties, and with a proficiency in HR that ensures the successful implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures. Finally, your administrative prowess will assure a continued excellent relationship with the City of Toronto and the many partners in the Retirement Home Community.

UPCOMING EVENTS
They Who Surround Us

A Ukrainian farmer living in Alberta loses his wife in a tragic accident. Guilt and grief send him into an emotional spiral where mysterious and inexplicable events force him to relive traumatic incidents from his childhood in Ukraine.

The film was directed and stars Troy Ruptash and was inspired by his own family heritage.

To see if there is a viewing close to you

Communicating about the COVID-19 Vaccination - September 19
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Manitoba Provincial Council is hosting a virtual town hall meeting with healthcare professionals and community leaders who will present the facts and share accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines.

Join the virtual event on September 19 at 2 pm for answers to many of your questions.

Threads That Connect Marketplace - September 11
ACUA Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts
Featuring items from local and Ukraine-based artists and designers, you can shop products that showcase the beauty of Ukrainian textile arts!

The Threads That Connect Marketplace is FREE and open to the public, no ticket required.


Bloor West Village:
Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2021
North America's Largest Ukrainian Festival is celebrating 25 years of Ukrainian Culture. Join them September 18-19, 2021.
Stay tuned on how to participate in the Festival in person or virtual from anywhere in the Milky Way!

Please note that the live presentation tickets are SOLD OUT, we do however encourage you to watch our live broadcast on our website.

  • Квитки на фестиваль заброньовані - sold out
  • Живий ефір фестивальної програми на сайтах @bwvtuf та ukrainianfestival.com
  • Вулиця Bloor перекриватися не буде


BLOK Slavic Music Meet
The very first BLOK: SLAVIC MUSIC MEET is kicking off next week, with an Eastern European Blok taking place at Queen & Augusta on Saturday, Sept 18 from 2pm-11pm.
Don't miss live performances from the best Slavic sounds Toronto has to offer, and headliner Lemon Bucket Orkestra's first hometown show of the year.

Governor in Council appointments are public appointments by the Government of Canada to Crown corporations and federal entities (such as boards, agencies and commissions etc.)
We encourage qualified Ukrainian Canadians to put their names forward and to serve Canada and its people.
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