The Importance
of Involvement:
The Re-Birth of
UCC Ont. Provincial Council
Yvan Baker, the newly-elected president
of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Ontario Provincial Council wants to be the
voice for Ukrainians living in
Despite his parental background
in a mixed marriage, he never lost his sense of Ukrainian heritage. He completed
“kursy Ukrainoznavstva”, danced with the Desna Ukrainian Dance Group and speaks
Ukrainian and French fluently.
As an executive assistant for MP
Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Yvan learned the complexities of government operations as well
as the importance of community involvement. It was there that he decided he would
like to have a prominent role in helping the Ukrainian community and, more recently
rather than staying on the sidelines, Yvan offered his candidacy to be President
of the Ontario Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
In a recent interview, Yvan had
an opportunity to talk about his philosophy and his objectives.
Alex Chumak: Why did you run for presidency of the UCC -
Yvan Baker: In
the first place there was a void to be filled. It was a golden opportunity to revive
the Council since it has not been operating for the last few years. The Council
has a mandate which should be realized.
A.C.: What is
the mandate?
Y.B.: Our
primary objective is to represent the Ukrainian community before the Provincial
Government. The government is involved in many aspects of our lives, yet we have
not had a co-ordinated or consolidated voice to ensure that issues important to
the Ukrainian Canadian community are presented. As a result, some issues that would
otherwise be raised have not been. We need to rectify this.
Our secondary objective is to strengthen
our community by linking people and projects across the province and engaging youth
as much as possible.
A.C.: How do you plan to achieve this?
Y.B.: There
are several ways:
Strong leadership is essential and we need to link the communities in the province
through greater communication. There are, according to the last census, over 330,000
Canadians of Ukrainian origin residing in
By co-ordinating our efforts province
wide, we can for example, work more effectively towards the goal of facilitating
the teaching of both the Holodomor and the Internment in every Ontario School Board.
This would compliment the excellent work that the Holodomor Education Team at the
UCC Toronto is doing. Genocide is a crime abhorrent to all humanity and enriching
our curriculum by including events like the Holodomor helps all young people to
better understand the past and be the guardians of a more just future. Secondly,
we must engage our young people by giving them opportunities to be involved. They
are the future. By selecting young leaders, and with succession planning, the community
will have a brighter future and be better organized. And lastly, we as leaders in
the Ukrainians Canadian community need to find solutions to the constant question
- Are we as community leaders addressing the challenges within the community?
A.C.: Can you give some examples?
Y.B.: For
starters, we have to build a website that is available to all. It has to be focused
on Ukrainian Canadian issues and discuss their implications. Equally important,
the website has to be attractive to our youth. Strategies on how to become involved
will also be highlighted. As well, liaising with other communities and stakeholders
on similar issues will add to our effectiveness.
A.C.: What is
the current structure of the UCC –
Y.B.: We
currently have 9 active councils –
A.C.: Can you comment on the ostensible lack
of interest in the Ukrainian community by our young people?
Y.B. It seems to be that there was a greater interest
before the Orange Revolution. At the present time, this flame seems to have diminished
and yes, they seem to be losing interest. But all is not lost. If we tap into our
young professionals, give them opportunities to lead, engage them in community issues,
consult with them on matters of interest to the Ukrainian community, I’m certain
that the interest will be regenerated. Most will help if the setting is right and
if asked.
A.C.: How would
you like to be remembered as President of UCC –
Y.B.: I
would like to establish the UCC – Ontario Provincial Council to be a credible voice
on behalf of Ukrainian Canadians living in
I would also like to see a group
of new leaders engaged and involved to work as a team to bring the community together.
We, like all Ontarians, want to
contribute to an inclusive and successful
A.C.: Thank you
for your thoughts and good luck in your endeavours.
PHOTO
Yvan Baker, the newly-elected President
of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress –