“Ukrainian Voice” Newspaper Celebrates Century of  Community Service

The Winnipeg-based Ukrainian newspaper “Ukrainian Voice” celebrated its 100^th anniversary on Sunday, March 14, 2010 with a Jubilee Banquet held at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church Auditorium in Winnipeg. The newspaper came to life on March 16, 1910 during the period of the First Wave of Ukrainian settlement in Canada and was initiated by a group of progressive teachers and community leaders that wanted a nationally conscious newspaper for Ukrainians in Canada as well as a newspaper that would bear in its masthead the name “Ukrainian”.

The Banquet was organized by the Board of Directors of “UV”, with the assistance of a Winnipeg community committee. Some 175 people attended the event. The committee produced a banquet programe with greetings from many prominent politicians and community organizations. In addition, every attendee received a bilingual booklet on the history of “UV” written by former editor Petro Danyliuk.

The Banquet was appropriately chaired by Walter Manulak who kept the anniversary program well paced. Keynote greetings were delivered by the Chair of the Presidium of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, the Very Rev. Archpriest Victor Lakusta, and the Acting Principal of St. Andrew’s College, Very Rev. Archpriest Roman Bozyk.  This was followed by greetings by two Winnipeg federal Members of Parliament – Joy Smith, who brought greetings on behalf of the Prime Minister, and Judy Wasylycia–Leis, who brought greetings from the House of Commons in Ottawa, where two days earlier she spoke on the anniversary and is recorded in Hansard. Next, the Manitoba provincial government was represented by MLA Doug Martindale who provided sincere greetings to the newspaper. Lastly, Winnipeg City Councillor Jeff Browaty brought greetings from the Mayor of Winnipeg.

The Keynote Address was delivered in an oral and power point presentation by long-time Winnipeg educator Valentina Noseworthy. She provided an intense historical over review of the newspaper and its role in the history of the Ukrainian Canadian community, She also provided much data on the personalities and major events in the newspaper’s history. Ms. Noseworthy’s presentation was very thorough and well received by the attentive banquet guests.

The program continued with greetings from Sonja Bejzyk, President of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League of Canada and the presentation of a plaque – citation to “Ukrainian Voice” by the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, represented by Board Member Bohdan Halkewycz. During the program, a medley of excellent choral musical renditions was provided by the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus directed by William Solomon with singing duet Anne Pleskach and Bill Scherbatiuk. At the Banquet, a financial collection was undertaken to provide funds for the ongoing work of the newspaper. Lastly, the Staff and Board of “UV” had prepared for viewing a most appropriate display of artefacts and pictures on the history of the newspaper.

The Banquet ended with the closing remarks of “Ukrainian Voice” Board President Sonja Bejzyk and the concluding prayer by the Very Rev. Gregory Mielnik and the blessing of Metropolitan John, Primate of the UOCC.

The Banquet was a most moving tribute to all of the pioneers, editors, staff members, volunteers and supporters of “Ukrainian Voice” newspaper. In attendance were over a hundred current subscribers of the newspaper who would all agree with one attendee’s assessment stating “that the newspaper had accomplished a tremendous service to the Ukrainian Canadian community and its history over the past 100 years!”  

 This article was provided by the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies, University of Manitoba that has as its mandate to preserve, communicate and create knowledge relating to Ukrainian Canadiana. For further information phone (204) 474-8906 or email: cucs@cc.umanitoba.ca

PHOTO

Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus performing at “Ukrainian Voice” Centenary