April 2026 UCC Monthly Bulletin | | | |
Dear Friends,
UCC’s CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn is leaving this month. As the UCC staff who he led we are sad to see him go but we wish him all success in future. Ihor’s departure gives us the chance to reflect back. The last ten years have flown by quickly, a blur of festivals, community meetings, Zoom calls and conferences.
Our community and our staff have seen difficult times over the last ten years. The covid pandemic – and especially the last 4 years of Russia’s genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine were some of the most tumultuous, turbulent and trying years for the community we serve.
But under Ihor’s leadership we managed to persevere and work toward a common goal – supporting the vital work of our Board of Directors, Provincial Councils, Branches and Member organizations in representing our community.
It is a blessing to be able to be able to do meaningful work. It is also a blessing to have co-workers with whom it is easy and pleasant to work. Keeping us together and focused on a common goal through the last 10 years was Ihor. We thank him for his leadership.
As we transition to new staff leadership, rest assured that the UCC staff remains in place and continues our work to serve our community and represent the interests of our membership as we best we can.
That we are able to do so is testament to Ihor and what we’ve learned for him the last ten years.
It is an honour for us to serve our community. We know that with your help and continued support, the UCC will continue its role as a strong voice for Ukrainian Canadians and Ukraine well into the future.
Thank you! Slava Ukraini!
| | An update from UCC's Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator:
Investing in Youth Leadership | |
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The future of our community depends on the leaders we invest in today. The UCC Youth Ambassador Program is a national initiative designed to equip young Ukrainian Canadians with the skills, networks, and experience needed to lead with purpose and impact.
Now in its second year, the program brings together youth aged 18–30 from across Canada, including many newcomers, and supports them through targeted training in advocacy, public policy, project management, and communications. A core component of the program is action: each participant develops and implements a community impact project that responds to real needs.
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An update from SUSK National Coordinator:
Freedom Doesn’t Stay Silent | As April draws to a close, the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) is intensifying preparations for one of its most important annual events - Congress 2026, set to take place in Ottawa. The SUSK Congress is more than a gathering. It is a national platform that brings together Ukrainian Canadian students from across the country for leadership development, education, and advocacy. Each year, it creates space for meaningful dialogue on the issues shaping youth, the Ukrainian Canadian community, and Ukraine itself. | | Presentation of Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to families of Émile Antoine Roy-Sirois, Jean-François Ratelle, and to Denis Perrier | | |
On March 21 in Montréal, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada were honoured to present the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to the families of Émile Antoine Roy-Sirois, Jean-François Ratelle, and to Denis Perrier.
Fallen Hero Émile Antoine Roy-Sirois was killed in action fighting for Ukraine’s freedom in July 2022. Fallen Hero Jean-François Ratelle was killed in action fighting for Ukraine’s freedom in March 2024. May Their Memory Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
Hero Denis Perrier was wounded in action fighting for Ukraine’s freedom in October 2022.
| | UCC President advocates for community priorities in Ottawa | | | | |
Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) attended meetings in Ottawa on March 24-25 to advocate for our community’s policy priorities – increased military and economic support for Ukraine and support for displaced Ukrainians in Canada.
“In the last days Russia has launched some of the most barbaric air attacks against Ukrainian civilians of the entire war. Ukraine can defeat Russia and return peace to Europe but to do so Ukraine needs the sustained and increased support of Canada and allies,” Chyczij stated.
| | UCC expresses condolences on passing of Lesia Szwaluk | | |
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) expresses our deep condolences on the passing of Lesia Szwaluk.
Lesia Szwaluk – a community leader and activist for many decades, was adored by our community. A mentor to generations of Ukrainian Canadians, Lesia inspired us with her commitment to the Ukrainian community in Canada and to nurturing our culture, art and traditions.
| | 40th Anniversary of Chornobyl | |
To mark the 40th Anniversary of Chornobyl, we are preparing a dedicated landing page on our website to highlight commemorative initiatives and resources. We invite you to check out the page for more information and updates.
If there are commemorative events taking place in your community, please let us know so they can be featured and recognized as part of this important milestone.
| | Free Online Course
Famine as Genocide: The Holodomor in Ukraine | | | | |
Famine as Genocide in the 20th Century: The Case of the Holodomor is a wide-ranging exploration of the 1932-33 famine in Ukraine. Learners will gain a deep understanding of the Holodomor in the context of other 20th century famines, genocide studies, survivor experience, knowledge dissemination, disinformation and denial, and Ukrainian and Soviet history.
The Holodomor, one of the major tragedies of the twentieth century, became the subject of serious study only since the fall of the USSR. Through an exploration of recent research and through the prisms of colonialism, empire, genocide, famine and food security, (dis)information dissemination, and Ukrainian-Russian relations, Famine as Genocide in the 20th Century: The Case of the Holodomor makes the case that the Holodomor is crucial to understanding Ukrainian, Soviet, European, and world history as well as current events.
This course is offered online in thirteen modules through University of Alberta’s partnership with the platform Coursera through which courses are offered for-credit to UofA students as well as to the general public.
| | Kultura Rising
Markian Tarasiuk: 'The body just knowing' | | | | |
An original podcast from the Shevchenko Foundation, Kultura Rising explores how artists are using everything from photography to theatre to the graphic novel, to ingeniously convert creativity into solidarity.
Andrew fesses up to a tough call. And his guest, Markian Tarasiuk, goes to show how there’s no question: Ukrainian dance is the beating heart of cultural preservation. It also sparks an intimate conversation about the virtues and shadows of tradition.
Check out the virtual exhibit Journey Through Ukrainian Dance. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, or wherever you get your podcasts.
| | Chornobyl 40 Commemorative Concert | | |
Forty years ago, one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters struck the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
Vesnivka Choir, together with the Canadian Bandurist Capella, will present a commemorative concert to honour the memory of those who perished and to pay tribute to all whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy.
| | THE UKRAINIAN FILM FESTIVAL IN ALBERTA | | | | |
This year, the Ukrainian Film Festival in Alberta (UFFA) will showcase a selection of compelling contemporary films about Ukraine in both Edmonton and Calgary. These critically acclaimed films have received international recognition and won numerous awards.
Over two weekends, festival-goers will have the opportunity to experience some of the most outstanding works of contemporary Ukrainian cinema, highlighting powerful stories of resilience, identity, history, and cultural heritage.
The UFFA 2026 is co-organized by the Alberta Society for the Advancement of Ukrainian Studies, the Peter and Doris Kule Centre for Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore, the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, and the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies — the latter three all at the University of Alberta. The festival is held in partnership with the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre at MacEwan University and is financially supported by Razom for Ukraine and the Alberta Ukrainian Commemorative Society.
| | Ukrainian Genealogy Group monthly webinar | | |
The Ukrainian Genealogy Group – National Capital Region was founded in September, 1999. Its aims include promoting the study of genealogy and family history, as well as encouraging the preservation and transcription of relevant documents and records. The UGG-NCR is a ‘self-help’ group dedicated to assisting those on their journey of genealogical and family history research — whether it be for distant friends or close family members.
The next Ukrainian Genealogy Group monthly webinar will happen on Tuesday, April 28 @ 7:30 pm.
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Ukrainian Women’s Leadership Across Generations:
The Strength of Dedication to Ukraine
| On April 25, 2026, Toronto will host the Gala Academy of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO), dedicated to honouring the leaders of the Ukrainian women’s movement in Canada and around the world. The event will combine remembrance of those who have passed away with recognition of the contributions of contemporary women leaders and will highlight the continuity of women’s service to Ukraine. | | THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE ADVERTISERS | | | | |
