The Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation (UCPBF) is pleased to announce the names for the 2001 UCPBF Nation Building Award: Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk, C.M. in the category of Friend of Ukraine; James Temerty, in the category of Business Achievement; Alexis Kochan, in the category of Professional Achievement, and Leon Kossar (posthumously), in the special Lifetime Achievement category.

The Nation Building Award, inaugurated at the 1997 UCPBF Biennial Convention in Calgary, were created to recognize the contributions of Canadians in building Canada through their local, national, or international endeavours, and are presented every two years at the Biennial Convention of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation. Previous recipients of the Nation Building Award include: The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the

Hon. Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchewan; Ivan Fecan, President, Baton Broadcasting; and Jon Tomas, Past President, Ukrainian Canadian Students Union (SUSK).

Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk, C.M. is a Saskatoon psychiatrist who is currently the Chairman of a cabinet-appointed Advisory Committee on Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations. The Committee works closely with the Saskatchewan Government, in advancing Saskatchewan/Ukraine projects. Significant success

has been achieved in Ukraines agricultural sector. Dr. Cipywnyks Committee also played a key role in development medical/nursing curricula for Ukraine, and has, with the co-operation of three Ukrainian and three Saskatchewan Ministries, developed a model for a national health system for Ukraine. This model has been highly acclaimed by the World Health Organization. Dr. Cipywnyks committee has also been active in supporting the joint production of documentary and other films by Saskatchewan and Ukraine film companies. He has served as President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, President of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, and President of the Ukrainian World Congress. He has also been honoured with an Order of Canada, the Presidents Award of Ukraine, and the Golden Trident Award from the International Association of Ukrainian Business Peoples.

Alexis Kochan, was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a powerful artist and producer of Ukrainian music. She excavates ancient songs from the deepest layers of Ukrainian tradition and, along with her ensemble Paris to Kyiv, breathes new life into this old music. Her live performances have been recorded for broadcast by CBC Radio and Television. Her music is played regularly on CBC, BBC, and National Ukrainian Radio. Television and film rights to her music have been recently acquired by the CBC for Canada: A Peoples History" Besides workshops about the Ukrainian folk song, one of Ms. Kochans most important projects is entitled Night Songs From a Neighbouring Village, a concert program exploring the commonalities between the Ukrainian and Jewish musical traditions.

James Temerty was born in Ukraine and came to Canada with his parents after World War II. His active participation in the Ukrainian Canadian Community in Montreal and Toronto makes him a perfect role model for young Canadians, whatever their heritage. He started his career at IBM Canada, rising to the position of Vice-President. His subsequent move into his own computer business led to his ownership of the largest group of Computerland stores in the world. His next move was to become President of Northland Power, one of Canada`s independent electrical power producers, with plants in Iroquois Falls and Kirkland Lake. While building his business empire, he still managed to find time to work on the Darnytsia power in Kyiv and in the Czech Republic, Turkey, China, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Mr. Temerty contributes generously to institutions such as St. Demetrius Care Centre in Toronto, Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, Children of Chornobyl Nadia Project, Kyiv Conservatory Choir, and the Kyiv Vydubychi Chorus. Finally, because of his business position in Canada, he was able to influence the Royal Ontario Museum in bringing the Ukrainian Scythian Exhibit to Canada earlier this year.

Leon Kossar (1929-2001) was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on February 11, 1929, two years after his parents arrived from Halychyna, Ukraine. His father was President of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada for many years. Thus, Leon Kossar grew up in a home which was the nerve center of the Federation, with all the attendant dynamics. He was a co-founder, in 1968, of Torontos International Caravan. Rather than concentrating the festival pavilions in a single location, the pavilions, each named after a well known city, were dispersed throughout Toronto. The Caravan became an instant cultural and commercial success, attracting at its height, more than 50 pavilions and two million visits. He and his wife, Zena, worked as a team. In 1967 Mr. Kossar was drafted from his employment at the Toronto Telegram, to assist in planning Canadas Centennial Celebrations at Expo 67 and featured Canadian diversity. Starting in the 1950s he produced some major shows for television and the Canadian National Exhibition, where he created the memorable Nationbuilders Extravaganza. He served on the Board of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, was a founder of the Canadian Folk Art Council, and was a co-producer of the Canadian Arts and Cultural Program at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

It can be truly said that Leon Kossar, through his promotion of Canadas diverse cultural heritage, has made substantial contributions to national unity and pride. He is a role model for future generations of Canadians. Leon Kossar died on August 4, 2001.

The awards will be presented at a Special Awards Ceremony to be held at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (Penthouse Gallery) at 7:00 P.M. on October 4, 2001. This celebratory evening will be one of the special events of the 2001 UCPBF Biennial Convention. The UCPBF invites the community to attend the presentation ceremony to honour and thank the recipients of the 2001 Nation Building Award.

For more information regarding the Awards, please contact:

Peter Sorokan, Chair of Selection Jury, 2001 UCPBF Convention

Tel: 613-523-7818