Saskatchewan UCC presents 1999 Nation Builders Awards (12/26/99)

Saskatchewan UCC presents 1999 Nation Builders Awards

SASKATOON - The fifth annual recognition event of the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC-SPC) was held November 7, when 265 guests, family and friends from across Canada gathered for lunch at the Delta Bessborough Hotel. The occasion honored 11 recipients of the prestigious Nation Builders Awards presented annually since 1994 to recognize community contributions of outstanding Ukrainian Canadians from Saskatchewan. The 1999 awards focused on distinction through career achievements. Those present ranged from a large number of young grandchildren of recipients to several nonagenarians. Seven former recipients also were present, including Dr. Stephen Worobetz, who had been invested into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit on October 28 in Saskatoon.

The award recipients included two church metropolitans, a senator, a premier, a government minister, a war hero, a ceramics artist, three professors and a pharmacist. Four of these were also authors, two were researchers, one was a mayor and one a former lieutenant-governor. Through their distinguished careers they brought distinction to the community of their heritage.

The program was conducted by master of ceremonies, Danylo Puderak, languages and marketing coordinator at the Center for Second Language Instruction at the University of Saskatchewan. Eugene Krenosky, president, UCC-SPC, presented the awards.

Raynell Andreychuk, senator, ambassador, high commissioner, United Nations permanent representative, provincial court judge and lawyer, has had an influence on many social changes through her initiatives. She established the first Family Court in Saskatchewan, held three United Nations posts that reflected her humanitarianism, brought knowledge of Canada to her ambassador duties, and initiated Senate proposals focusing on environment and health, as well as legal and foreign affairs. She was the first female national president and international vice-president of the YMCA. A chancellor of the University of Regina, she was honored by that institution with an honorary doctor of laws.

Metropolitan Michael Bzdel CSsR, priest, pastor, rector, teacher, Church administrator and member of the Redemptorist Order, has always made a significant impact in each of his roles. A builder of churches, he emphasized tradition in Church decoration. He guided his people to full Church participation in liturgies and parish activities. His people and administration skills were rewarded with progress through Church ranks to the top as Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church for all of Canada. A dynamic visionary, he has guided his Church to the preservation of historic traditions, in Canada and the resurrection of the Church in Ukraine.

Peter Dmytruk, a native of Wynyard, Saskatchewan, as a young man of 23 died a heroic death in France, during World War II, thereby sparing the lives of hundreds of French civilians. Joining the Resistance Movement after the downing of his plane by the Germans, "Pierre le Canadien" amazed the French people with his determination to obtain their freedom from German oppression declining return to the safety of Canada. Memorialized by the French, a movement is under way in Saskatchewan to enshrine the memory of Mr. Dmytruk, and others who sacrificed a life in Canada for similar freedom for others far away.

Metropolitan Archbishop Wasyly (Fedak), born in Ukraine, initially used his Canadian education in opportunities as a teacher. Inspired by his work with the young people in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, he determined to devote his life to work in the Church proceeding through the ranks from priest to protopresbyter. His pastoral work included a 30-year tenure at the cathedral in Hamilton. As primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, he was instrumental in attaining Eucharistic Union with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Acknowledged as a community leader, he counts among his honors the Order of Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Shevchenko Medal.

Sylvia Fedoruk, a former lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, has made historic contributions as a professor of oncology at the University of Saskatchewan and as a research scientist in medical and biological physics, in nuclear medicine, radiology and cancer. Her presentations at international conferences and in professional journals have highlighted Saskatchewan's history and role in radiotherapy research. Her honors include induction into the Order of Canada, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for her prowess primarily in curling, as well as of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Shevchenko Medal. She has served as university chancellor and member of professional and administrative bodies.

Dr. Roma Franko has distinguished herself as an inspiring educator, tireless administrator and insightful author and workshop leader. As professor and head of the Slavic Department at the University of Saskatchewan, the popularity of her classes resulted in a wide demand for her teaching materials, from programs to audiovisuals to workbooks. Her program of Ukrainian for English speakers satisfies a language need for entrepreneurs, academics and travelers. She is co-author of an English translation of Ukrainian women's literature throughout historic periods. Recipient of the UCC Shevchenko Medal and a Kobzar Society inductee, she has served on professional councils and as vice-chairman on the National Film Board.

Alex Kuziak, known for his capabilities as a teacher, public administrator and entrepreneur, made his greatest mark as a politician. Elected three times under the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)/New Democratic Party (NDP) banner, he received ministerial appointments that recognized his first-hand knowledge of business, agriculture and administration. He was known for his oratory powers, driving energy and passion for individual rights. The naming of the A.G. Kuziak Building in Yorkton was in tribute to his dedication and commitment to the people of Saskatchewan. He was the first Ukrainian in Canada to receive a Cabinet appointment and was a charter member of the Yorkton Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association.

Paul Ortynsky undertook diverse endeavors that brought honor and distinction to his town, his cultural community and his profession. A pharmacist entrepreneur, he has been recognized with professional honors for his leadership in pharmacy activities. He has also been cited for his work with youth in the RCAF and in Ukrainian Orthodox Church programs. He contributed his business knowledge to curriculum development of Business Education in Saskatchewan. Active in assorted community organizations, he guided the town of Canora in progressive projects in his post as mayor, achieving two national honors for "niceness" recognition. Top recognitions include the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Shevchenko Medal.

Roy Romanow achieved international status as a political leader with constitutional expertise. A practicing lawyer, he was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 1967 under the banner of the NDP and then re-elected seven more times to 1999. As attorney general he initiated justice reforms and as premier from 1991 he provided balanced budgets and further fiscal and social reforms. As minister of inter-governmental affairs, he played a key role in federal-provincial negotiations which culminated in the Canadian Constitutional Accord in 1991. He served as advisor to the Ukrainian government on the development of its Constitution and initiated Saskatchewan-Ukraine entrepreneurial exchanges.

Peter Rupchan was endowed with the gift of artistic expression through the medium of pottery. He acquired accomplishment at this craft in a pottery factory in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Following his parents to Canada, he worked at establishing a homestead and providing for a growing family at the same time attempting to reconcile his passion for working in his craft. His resources of ingenuity and perseverance, together with fortuitous assistance from community and academic luminaries, ultimately led to celebration of his artistry after his untimely death. His place in Saskatchewan's history was ensured through high-priced acquisition and museum exposure.

Dr. Peter Woroby has utilized his international education and multi-language proficiency in his post as a 25-year University of Regina professor, as analyst and advisor to governments in Canada and Ukraine, and contributor to academic publications and international conferences, in the fields of economics, statistics and sociology. He has been associated in executive positions with professional and community organizations. In Kyiv and Lviv he has lectured on marketing and economics matters at academic institutions and even at the Ukrainian Parliament. In his retirement he continues to share his expertise and knowledge with a particular consultative involvement in the Saskatchewan-Ukraine trade and commerce exchange.

Mary Cherneskey, Recognition Committee chair, concluded her biographical presentations, carried out with the assistance of Ostap Skrypnyk, UCC-SPC executive director, with this appreciation of the role played in community development by the 1999 recipients of the Nation Builders Awards.

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