Ukrainian Heritage Day in Ontario

By John Pidkowich

On September 7^th, 2012, Ukrainian Canadian Congress branches and community from across Ontario celebrated the annual Ukrainian Heritage Day in front of the Ontario Legislature in Queen’s Park, Toronto. The event was organized by the Heritage Day Committee of the UCC Ontario Provincial Council, comprised of UCC branch delegates and member organization representatives, and hosted by newly-elected UCC-OPC President Stefan Andrusiak from London, Ont.

The celebration marks the Province’s official recognition of its Ukrainian heritage. On March 24^th, 2011, the Ontario Legislature unanimously passed Bill-155, an Act that proclaims September 7^th of each year Ukrainian Heritage Day in the Province of Ontario. Bill-155 was introduced by then PC MPP Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge), Liberal MPP Donna Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre), and NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdake-High Park).

September 7th, 1891 is the date the first officially recorded Ukrainian immigrants Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw arrived in Canada. Soon afterwards, Ukrainian immigrants began arriving in Ontario and today, the Province is home to over 336,000 Ontarians of Ukrainian descent.

Ukrainian Heritage Day provides a special occasion to recognize the role Ontario has played in successfully welcoming generations of Ukrainians seeking a better life in Canada. Delivered greetings during this occasion acknowledged the historic and significant contributions Ukrainians Canadians have made and continue to make across many communities and all walks of life in Ontario. Greetings and a certificate were delivered on behalf of Premier Dalton McGuinty by Dipika Damerla, MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville.  Speakers included MPPs Gerry Martiniuk and Donna Cansfield with regrets sent by Cheri DiNovo, Etobicoke Centre MP Ted Opitz who presented a certificate on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and the Government of Canada, and Acting Consul Antin Rybak, Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto who spoke on behalf of the Government of Ukraine.

In appreciation, Daria Hryckiw, Branch President, UCC London, thanked Consul Rybak for his remarks. Overall appreciation for the organisers and significance of the event was given by UCC Branch Presidents the Rev. Bohdan Hladio (Oshawa-Durham) and Oksana Rewa (Toronto).

Delegations and guests from other communities included: Dominic Campione, Congress of Italian Canadians; Juliusz Kirejczyk, Toronto District President, Canadian Polish Congress and Krystyna Sroczynska, CPC Press Secretary; Nurgel Huseyin, Chair of the Federation of Turkish Canadian Associations; Len Rudner, Community Relations and Outreach Director for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs; and from Ottawa, Andris Kesteris of the Latvian National Federation in Canada and the Baltic Federation in Canada.

The Keynote Speaker was Halya Kuchmij, an award-winning documentary film maker, who unfortunately could not be present due to unforeseen circumstances. However, introducer Winn Kuplowsky, text in-hand, provided a fine reading Ms. Kuchmyj’s address and delivered some personal commentary to bring her close friend Halya’s presence to everyone present. Ms. Kuchmij emphasizes her personal and professional enrichment experienced by the hyphen in her identity as a “Ukrainian-Canadian”.

At the start of the programme, blessings in prayer were offered by Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox clergy Rev. Mitrat Yosef Zhyla and Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Bohdan Sencio, respectively. A traditional Ukrainian welcome with Bread & Salt was presented by Odessa Ukrainian Dancers Jillian Morris, Kate Prychitko, Matt Prychitko and Robert Reid from Oshawa, Ont. Following an enactment of the Breaking of Bread ritual, everyone in attendance was offered bread & salt, which was made and donated by Anna Tyschenko of London, and Volyn-style cold borsch from Anna’s Catering of Toronto.

A highlight of the programme and to the delight of the audience was baritone Christopher Dunham’s performance in both English and Ukrainian of the pioneer song:  Edna Star, which is dedicated to the 120th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada.   He was accompanied on the accordion by the song’s music composer Ihor Zhylyak of London. Entertainment for further enjoyment was provided by the Kosa Kolectiv, whose members Marichka Galadza, Stephanie Sirant, Olenka Kleban sang As the Falcon Flies in “biley holos” village style. Also, Yura Rafaliuk played an instrumental Ukrainian medley selection on his hammer dulcimer or tsymbaly.  Mr. Rafaliuk is from Lviv, Ukraine and is in Ontario on an artists’ exchange visit.  He is also an accomplished iconographer and member of Ukraine’s musical group called Dobri Ludy.

The programme at Queen’s Park concluded with the singing of O, Canada in French and English. Ukrainian Heritage Day then resumed at St.Vladimir Institute with a Traditional Settlers’ Dinner Fare, opening of the memorial exhibit The Hon. John Yaremko – A Life of Excellence, opening of the Stanislav Khomenko Solo Art Exhibit, displays and more traditional musical entertainment.

Celebrating Ukrainian Heritage Day is a joyful occasion that all Ontarians can share in. Further celebration of our Ukrainian Canadian heritage – arts & culture, food & music can be enjoyed by at the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, September 14-16, 2012, which officially concludes the year-long celebrations of the 120^th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada.

PHOTOS

1 - UWO of Canada NE President Yaroslava Iwasykiw enacting Breaking of Bread with members of Odessa Ukrainian Dancers

2 - UCC–OPC President Stefan Andrusiak, Edna Star composer Ihor Zhylyak and baritone Christopher Dunham

3 - VIPs and guests looking on while Yaremko Sisters sharing in Breaking of Bread ritual