East-Central Alberta Families Celebrate Centennial

EDMONTON– On August 12, under bright, sunny skies, Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership candidate Edward Stelmach, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, unveiled the newest plaques on the Centenary Monument at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.

The unveiling was part of the Centenary Pioneer Recognition Program, which celebrates the presence and contribution of pioneer families in  east-central Alberta.

Now in its fourth year, the program recognizes the pioneer families who immigrated to that region of Alberta between the years 1891 and 1914.  Descendants of these pioneer settlers are invited to apply to receive certificates recognizing their family’s centenary. The certificates are presented at the annual Ukrainian Day celebrations, held annually at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in August.

One year after certificates are issued, applicants are invited again to the Ukrainian Day celebrations, this time to witness the formal unveiling of their ancestors’ names on plaques that are added to the Centenary Monument. 

As a lasting tribute to the pioneers, the Centenary Monument was erected in 2005 at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. In many cases, the names on the monument represent four generations of descendants in east-central Alberta.  

Since the goal is to recognize all families and individuals who arrived and settled in east-central Alberta between the years 1891 and 1914, the Centenary Pioneer Recognition Program will run annually until 2014.  From 2006 onwards, the program will be coordinated by the newly established Alberta-Ukraine Genealogical Project. 

For more information, call (780) 431-2324.  Those calling in Alberta, but outside of Edmonton, may call toll-free by dialing 310-0000, followed by (780) 431-2324.  Inquiries may also be forwarded by e-mail to AB-Ukraine.Genealogy@gov.ab.ca or by mail to Centenary Pioneer Recognition Program, Old St. Stephen’s College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P8.