September 2022 Canadian Newsletter |
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August has been a tremendously busy month for Ukrainian Canadians. We saw a record number of community events taking place across Canada to mark Ukrainian Independence Day, from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, BC and Whitehorse, Yukon! It was a strong reminder of the solidarity of Canadians for Ukraine and our community at this difficult time.
On a sadder note, it was moving to attend the memorial service in Montreal for Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois, a Canadian who gave his life fighting for Ukraine’s freedom. Our community attended in large numbers and was very moved by the loving tribute from his mother.
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We also express deep condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join the Canadian people in mourning. Queen Elizabeth served her people with dedication and honour for almost seven decades.
May Her Memory Be Eternal, Вічная Пам'ять.
Finally, Lesia Skyba has started work as our new Fundraising Manager and has already been busy reaching out to donors to introduce herself. You can read more about her first few weeks with UCC below in the Donors Corner section. In the next two weekends I’ll be at the Montreal and Toronto Ukrainian Festivals with the UCC team. We look forward to seeing you in person to catch up!
Слава Україні! Героям Слава!
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Ihor Michalchyshyn
CEO & Executive Director
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Independence Day of Ukraine - 2022 |
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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.
August 24th, 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.
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UCC President testifies at Foreign Affairs Committee on Russia turbines |
On August 4, UCC National President Alexandra Chyczij testified at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development during hearings on the Government of Canada’s decision to waive Russia sanctions and allow for the repair and export of Nord Stream 1 pipeline turbines.
Click below on on the video to watch the full hearing.
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Hateful attack on Ukrainian symbol in Ottawa |
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The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is disgusted by the act of vandalism and hate that took place in Ottawa on August 16th, on Free Ukraine Street.
Three persons damaged and vandalized a blue and yellow painted bicycle. The bicycle is on public property, outside of the Russian embassy in Ottawa – placed there by local activists as a reminder of Russia’s genocidal war against the Ukrainian people and a symbol of Ukraine’s courageous defence of freedom.
Three men who had apparently emerged from a car with diplomatic plates were seen committing this hateful act of vandalism on the evening of August 16, and also spray painting the letter “Z” – a symbol of support for Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine and support for the Russian war criminal prosecuting that war.
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Canadian support for Ukraine must continue, and increase, to ensure victory over Russia |
Today, the Toronto Star published an op-ed by UCC National President Alexandra Chyczij, and Dr. Stanley Kutcher, Independent Senator from Nova Scotia "Canadian support for Ukraine must continue, and increase, to ensure victory over Russia."
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UCC calls on Canada and Germany to maintain Russia sanctions |
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“Canada agreed to Germany’s request to temporarily lift sanctions that prevented Siemens Canada from servicing turbines for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in the mistaken belief that this would restore gas flow to Germany and Europe,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC.
“It has always been clear that Russia would not restore the contracted volume of gas flow and would instead demand further sanction waivers. There is no purpose in maintaining the permit.”
The UCC was appalled to hear the Vice President of the German Parliament, Wolfgang Kubicki, whose law firm has been linked in the media to lobbying on behalf of Nord Stream 2, call for the lifting of sanctions on Nord Stream 2. The UCC calls upon Chancellor Scholz to reaffirm his government’s commitment to ensuring that Nord Stream 2 never comes online.
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Chyczij named one of Canada’s Top 25 Influential Lawyers for Ukraine advocacy |
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) congratulates UCC National President Alexandra Chyczij on being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyers Magazine.
“We congratulate Alexandra on this prestigious award – a reflection of both her tireless efforts and the effectiveness of her leadership – and of the dedication and commitment of the UCC and the community it is our honour to represent,” stated Ann Szyptur, First Vice President of the UCC. “On behalf of the UCC National Board of Directors and UCC National staff – there is nobody more deserving of having their contributions recognized. Вітаємо та дякуємо!”
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We are looking for great volunteers to help make the XXVII Triennial Congress a success.
Check out the job descriptions on our site and fill out a contact form to lend a hand to this historic event!
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Award Winners ahead of XXVII Congress |
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The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Taras Shevchenko Medal, the highest form of recognition that can be granted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
The UCC is also pleased to announce the recipients of the Ukrainian Canadian Leadership Award of Excellence and the Ukrainian Canadian Youth Leadership Award of Excellence. The recipients of the Taras Shevchenko Medal, Ukrainian Canadian Leadership Award of Excellence, and Ukrainian Canadian Youth Leadership Award of Excellence have been invited to receive their awards at a ceremony held during the UCC Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 29, which will take place during the XXVII Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Winnipeg.
The UCC will be publishing full biographies of our award winners in the coming weeks.
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Dear Friends,
Thank you for welcoming me into the UCC family these past few weeks. I’ve been busy talking with donors and supporters as well as potential new donors. It’s been wonderful to meet so many of you and learn about your tremendous dedication to our community.
As the world unites to protect Ukraine and countries welcome newcomers from Ukraine, we should all be advocates for the Ukrainian Canadian community, so if you have contacts to share, or hear of an opportunity, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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Thank you to our donors, supporters, sponsors and partners for your generosity and support. All donations to the UCC and the UCC Charitable and Education Trust are appreciated, no matter how big or small; every penny is put towards supporting the interests of our Ukrainian community in Canada.
As part of the Triennial Congress Report, w are working to publish a complete list of all donations from 2019-2022 on our website as well as in the UCC Triennial Report. Because it has been several months since the departure of the previous fundraiser Janine Kuzma, I ask for your patience as I get up to speed and update our website.
If you have any questions, concerns or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (437) 424-5880 or by email lesia.skyba@ucc.ca
Lesia M. Skyba
UCC National Fundraising Manager
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The Royal BC Museum Opening of the "Canada Here We Are: Celebrating Ukrainians in Canada" exhibit |
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Photo Credits: Devon Sereda Goldie and Royal BC Museum |
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Recently, our VP Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz visited Victoria, BC for the Royal BC Museum Opening of the “Canada Here We Are: Celebrating Ukrainians in Canada” exhibit (https://buff.ly/3SUfEg8).
She also met with community leaders who have been coordinating all aspects of settlement of displaced Ukrainians in Victoria and visited the Kiwanis Village Society which provided units to host displaced Ukrainians.
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New class, new country: Children escaping war in Ukraine get
ready to start school in Manitoba
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Like many other five-year-olds, Maksym Okhrimenko is getting ready to start kindergarten. But for him, that means more than just getting used to a new class or teacher.
Maksym is getting ready to learn in a new language, in a new city, in a new country.
She and her son are among the more than 6,000 Ukrainians who have arrived in Manitoba in recent months, following Russia's invasion of the country. That includes more than 800 children, according to a spokesperson for the Manitoba government.
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Article: Alana Cole/CBC | Photo Credit: Jeff Stapleton/CBC |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & FESTIVALS |
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Montreal Ukrainian Festival - September 10 |
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Toronto Ukrainian Festival - September 16 - 18 |
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Please join The Montreal Ukrainian Festival on September 10th from 9 am to 10 pm for a celebration of Ukrainian culture, traditions, food, dance and music.
The festival will take place in Parc Maisonneuve, 4601 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, Quebec.
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The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival welcomes you to come and enjoy everything the Ukrainian culture has to offer. Discover Ukrainian culture in Canada and share the Ukrainian spirit at North America’s largest Ukrainian Street Festival. In 2022 and in our 26th edition we are returning to Bloor West Village. Stay tuned for more information.
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Book Presentation of Operation Payback in Ottawa by Professor Lubomyr Luciuk - September 14 |
Book Presentation of "Operation Payback" by Professor Lubomyr Luciuk. Please join us on Wednesday, September 14th, at 6:30 pm.
Professor Luciuk is a renowned scholar in the field of Ukrainian studies, specializing in the history of the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada.
He is a full-time professor of political geography at the Royal Military College of Canada.
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The 50th Anniversary of the Ontario Provincial Council - September 25 |
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Join us for a special Champagne Brunch on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Ontario Provincial Council and the launch of the UCC OPC Trillium Award.
The UCC- OPC Trillium Medal honours individuals who have made meritorious contributions in a dedicated volunteer capacity to create a strong vibrant, and active Ukrainian Canadian community throughout the Province of Ontario.
The Medal recognizes the outstanding service and exceptional work and involvement of those who, through their leadership and achievements, have made a lasting and positive impact within the Ukrainian community and beyond.
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Alberta Genealogical Society (Edmonton Branch) - General Meeting - Sept 29 |
Alberta’s Multi-layered and Multi-faceted Ukrainian Community: Its’ roots and evolution over 130 years
Our speaker, Jars Balan is a scholar specializing in the history of Ukrainians in Canada with the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta.
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Shumka on Tour - September 23 - October 15 |
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The Shumka On Tour program showcases four of Shumka’s newest works: the all-ages Disneyesque Mosquito’s Wedding, a tribute in film to the Ukrainian pioneers in Canada, Promised Land, a salute to the bravery of the people in current Ukraine, My Yeh, and a celebration of the emotion, energy and evolution of Ukrainian dance, Echoes of Hopak. The mixed work program features original music, projection and multimedia design, film, and new choreography.
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Learning about UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals in Ukrainian |
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If you are 18 years or older, we are cordially inviting you to participate in a research project “Learning about UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals in Ukrainian” (Pro00122204) that asks people who speak or are learning Ukrainian outside of Ukraine for their feedback on videos about contemporary realities, cultural representations and topics of sustainability in today’s Ukraine, the Ukrainian diaspora and around the world and share your opinion of them. Your feedback is very important to us: it will help us create learning resources that can be appealing personally to you!
After watching videos, we are kindly asking you to fill out the following online questionnaire, which should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to complete. The link to the videos and the questionnaire is as follows: https://ukrvideosurvey.ca/
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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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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE ADVERTISERS |
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