First Annual Ukrainian Heritage Day in Ontario - September 7, 2011

Celebration Organized by Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ontario Provincial Council and Hosted by St. Vladimir Institute, Toronto

Ukrainian Heritage Day recognizes the role that Ontario has played in successfully welcoming generations of Ukrainians seeking a better life in Canada while celebrating the contributions of Ukrainian Canadians across many communities and walks of life to our province and our country.

 On Thursday March 24^th, 2011, all parties at the Ontario Legislature unanimously passed Bill-155: Ukrainian Heritage Day Act which proclaimed September 7^th of each year Ukrainian Heritage Day in the Province of Ontario. Bill-155 was introduced by Gerry Martiniuk, MPP (Cambridge) and was co-sponsored by Donna Cansfield, MPP (Etobicoke Centre) and Cheri DiNovo, MPP (Parkdale-High Park).

Beginning at 12 noon, a program at Queen’s Park celebrates the first Ukrainian Heritage Day in Ontario with official remarks from MPPs. Keynote remarks by Ted Woloshyn, CFRB Host, will share personal anecdotes and thoughts about the voyage that the Ukrainian community in Ontario has made. For cultural entertainment, artistic performances will feature tenor Taras Chmil and the Desna Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto.

Following activities at Queen’s Park, the celebration continues at St. Vladimir Institute at 620 Spadina Ave. The Sharing Our Heritage program starts at 1:30 pm and will feature:

–    Trace Your Genealogical Roots exhibit by the Toronto Genealogy Group;

–    Ukrainians in the Canadian Armed Forces exhibit by the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre;

–    Episodes in Ukrainian Ontarians’ History archival display by Andrew Gregorovich;

–    The Michael Tomas Exhibit, One Man’s Search for his Roots by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch;

–    Remember when… by artist Johnny Filipchuk;

–    Passing It Forward documentary film by the Ukrainian Students’ Club, University of Toronto;

–    Music by Crazy Voda with USC Members; and

–    Ukrainian traditional lunch.

Episodes in Ukrainian Ontarians’ History
(Archival Material Courtesy of Andrew Gregorovich) 

September 7, 1891: Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw step onto Canadian soil then head westward through Ontario becoming the first official Ukrainian immigrants in Canada.

1914-1920: 5,000 Ukrainians are interned by Canadian authorities and many more are required to report regularly to police being deemed “enemy aliens” for having been citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. There are six internment sites across Ontario.

1917: King George V presents the Victoria Cross to WWI hero Filip Konowal, a resident of Ottawa before and after the War.

1940: The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is founded to represent the community across the country. Today there are 9 branches of the UCC in Ontario.

1951: John Yaremko becomes the first Ukrainian Ontarian elected to the provincial legislature - serving 25 years.

1957: The Hon. Michael Starr, Copper Cliff native and Oshawa resident, becomes the first Ukrainian Canadian Federal Cabinet Minister.

1964: The Hon. Paul Yuzyk, delivers his maiden speech in the Senate of Canada and introduces the concept of multiculturalism.

1972: Ukrainian language classes are offered for the first time in Ontario high schools.

1976: Artist William Kurelek, an Alberta native and Ontario resident, is appointed to the Order of Canada. 

1988: John Sopinka is appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada

1989-1995: Ramon Hnatyshyn serves as Governor General of Canada

1991: Canada is the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine’s independence.

2002: Ernie Eves becomes the first Premier of Ontario with Ukrainian heritage.

2007: Steve Peters becomes the first Ukrainian Canadian to hold the position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

2007-2008: Business and community leaders Erast Huculak and James Temerty are appointed to the Order of Canada.

2009: The Holodomor (1932-33 man-made famine in Ukraine) is recognized as genocide by the Ontario Legislature.

March 24, 2011: The Ontario Legislature unanimously passes a bill proclaiming September 7^th as Ukrainian Heritage Day in Ontario.

336,000 Ukrainian Canadians (out of 1.2 million), call Ontario their home!