Ukrainian Canadian Manitobans Honoured

Winnipeg – The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to Dr. Orest Cap and Ms. Sophia Kachor by Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod on behalf of the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston. A special awards ceremony and reception was held on February 8, 2013 at Oseredok - Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg, hosted by UCC National and UCC Manitoba Provincial Council.

Recipients’ Citations

Dr. Orest Cap is Professor of Technology Education and Director of the Imperial Oil Academy, Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. Through Chernihiv State Pedagogical University, Dr. Cap was instrumental in establishing a social services network that assists physically and mentally challenges individuals affected by the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster. He has published extensively in various national and international journals, been involved in several research initiatives with Ukraine, and has been active in the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services for many years.

Sophia Kachor is the Executive Director and Chief of Collections of the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre (Oseredok) in Winnipeg. She holds an MA in Slavic Studies from the University of Manitoba, and is a dedicated life-long community volunteer. Ms. Kachor currently is Chair of the Board of Directors for the North Winnipeg Credit Union, board member of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, and has been involved with the Ukrainian Scouting Organization Plast for many years.