Alberta Minister Gene Zwozdesky Receives UCC Shevchenko Medal

Winnipeg - On Sunday, October 4, 2009 Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President, Paul Grod presented the UCC Shevchenko Medal to The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky in Edmonton, Alberta. The presentation was made at the 11th Annual Hetman Awards ceremony hosted by the UCC Alberta Provincial Council where volunteers from the Ukrainian community in Alberta were also recognized.

“Minister Zwozdesky has enriched our community in Canada by his commitment to Ukrainian organizations and  endeavours,” said Paul Grod. “He has shown pride and dedication to his Ukrainian heritage in all aspects of his personal, volunteer and professional life.”

Minister Gene Zwozdesky received the Medal in recognition of his work as a dedicated community volunteer, leader and activist. At the provincial level, Minister Zwozdesky lead the establishment of the Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations and helped orchestrate the first-ever visit by an Alberta Premier to Ukraine. One year ago, Minister Zwozdesky presented the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act in the Alberta Legislature which passed in a single day.

His work as a volunteer in the community has included the instruction and development of Ukrainian dance, musical projects, developing Ukrainian children’s books, choral and orchestral conducting, Sunday School teacher, active church volunteer and board member for several organizations.

In accepting the medal, Minister Zwozdesky thanked all those who supported him in presenting the Holodomor Bill which “has made a dramatic difference to the way that Ukrainians are viewed around the world” he said. Mr. Zwozdesky went on to say “I think about all the work that has been done since our ancestors came here over 100 years ago and how it all sort of came together for that one magical afternoon in the Alberta Legislature”.

Also in attendance at the event was Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach who presented the Hetman Awards along with UCC Alberta President Daria Luciw to 11 exemplary volunteers. In his remarks, the Premier spoke about the spirit of volunteerism being a significant force among the early Ukrainian pioneers and commended the Hetman honourees for their work. “You are not only preserving Ukrainian culture, but also sharing our culture and serving communities in the Province of Alberta,” he said.

The Shevchenko Medal is the highest form of recognition that can be granted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. It recognizes individuals of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian descent, as well as institutions and organizations, for their outstanding national contribution towards the development of the Ukrainian Canadian community.