Author seeks information about pioneer cleric (06/28/98)

Author seeks information about pioneer cleric

EDMONTON - A selection of writings by the Rev. Nestor Dmytriw, who was the editor of Svoboda in 1896-1897, is being prepared for publication in English by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. A Catholic priest and community activist, the Rev. Dmytriw was responsible for initiating Ukrainian Catholic congregational life in Canada during visits that he made to newly established Ukrainian colonies on the prairies in 1897-1898.

Employed as an immigration agent by the Canadian Department of the Interior, the Rev. Dmytriw wrote up his adventures in a series of articles published in Svoboda under the rubric "Canadian Ruthenia" (Kanadiiska Rus'), which were subsequently issued in pamphlet form and widely distributed in Western Ukraine. The Rev. Dmytriw also produced a series of vignettes, and works of prose fiction that appeared in the newspaper as installments of a series called "Scenes from Canada."

Among his many remarkable accomplishments, he is credited with authoring the first Ukrainian-language short story written in Canada, and thus is the "founding father" of Ukrainian Canadian literature. Entitled "Ruthenian Easter - and a French Catholic Priest," the story was set in Calgary, Alberta, and dated May 8, 1897, appearing 12 days later on the pages of Svoboda.

In addition to the pieces cited above, the planned book will include a number of works in a similar vein that deal with the American Ukrainian experience. A grant has been obtained under the Multiculturalism Program of Canadian Heritage to cover the cost of translating the Rev. Dmytriw into English along with detailed annotations and a biographical introduction. Edmonton-based freelance writer Jars Balan is now working on a preliminary draft of the manuscript, and is currently seeking a Western Canadian co-publisher for the project.

Although the Rev. Dmytriw originally planned to remain in Canada, he returned to the United States and for many years served as a parish priest in Elizabeth, N.J. He died there in 1925 at the age of 62, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery. The Rev. Dmytriw was married and had three children: Stephania, Henrietta and Nestor.

Anyone with first-hand knowledge about the Rev. Dmytriw or his descendants, is urged to contact Jars Balan, c/o the Canadian Institute Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), 352 Athabasca Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E8; or by calling him directly at (403) 439-4754.

The CIUS would be grateful for assistance in filling in the details of the Rev. Dmytriw's life, both in Ukraine and in the United States. Of particular interest are documents relating to his life, family photos, or other memorabilia that might be used in illustrating the volume.