Ukrainian Fraternal Association marks 90th anniversary with ceremony in Toronto (01/28/01)

Ukrainian Fraternal Association marks 90th anniversary with ceremony in Toronto

by Stephen M. Wichar Sr.

TORONTO - It is a rare moment in the annals of Ukrainian American or Ukrainian Canadian history when an organization achieves 90 continuous years of community service. On November 5, 2000, in Toronto, a celebration of such a milestone occurred at St. Vladimir's Institute.

The Ukrainian Fraternal Association, founded on October 25, 1910, in Scranton, Pa., can boast of a host of leadership roles significant to the development of the Ukrainian community. To celebrate its decades of accomplishments, a 90th anniversary event - the first in North America was organized by an anniversary committee composed of UFA activists Petro Rodak, national vice-president for Canadian affairs, who served as committee chairman; Walentina Rodak and Alexander Skocen, National UFA Council members; Wolodymyr Dmytrenko, UFA Honorary Council member; O. Lysyk from Oshawa, Ontario; and M. Buchok from Hamilton, Ontario.

A roster of special guests included UFA President Ivan Oleksyn, and his wife, Natalka, from Rochester, N.Y.; UFA National Executive Vice-President Stephen M. Wichar, and his wife, Nadia, from Clinton Township, Mich., National UFA Auditor Michael Mochnacz from Sloan, N.Y. and William Body, former Canadian executive agent from Toronto. Other guests included Orthodox and Catholic clergy, journalists and a TV producer.

Kicking off the ceremonies was Mr. Rodak, UFA vice-president of Canadian affairs since 1982, who welcomed all participants and out-of-town guests. Mr. Rodak then presented the mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon, Ms. Rodak, a co-editor of the popular magazine Youth of Ukraine. After warm felicitations, Ms. Rodak called upon Mr. Oleksyn for his reflections on the UFA's history.

Mr. Oleksyn began by praising the early immigration and the pioneers of the Ukrainian fraternal movement in America and Canada. Mr. Oleksyn said: "When the early immigration came to the American shores in search of wealth and riches, the reality was stark and devastating. Faced with difficult economic times, unemployment, language barriers, and multiple health emergencies and deaths, Ukrainian leaders organized a society to take care of their immediate needs that was managed and operated by Ukrainians."

Mr. Oleksyn pointed out the subsequent spin-offs in organizations that stimulated cultural and social endeavors such as choruses, theatrical groups, youth organizations, Ukrainians schools and dance studios, and the building of national homes, churches and halls. "It was a remarkable era," Mr. Oleksyn added. He continued by reminding the audience of student scholarships and the UFA's general involvement in sociopolitical activities not only in America but abroad as well.

Mr. Oleksyn concluded his remarks by underscoring the intense need for renewed interest by the Ukrainian community to support a revival of Ukrainian fraternals.

The keynote speaker for the 90th anniversary was Andrew Gregorovich. Emcee Ms. Rodak introduced this gentleman as the editor of the widely known magazine Forum, continuously published by the UFA since 1957. Mr. Gregorovich's credentials also include presidency of the Ukrainian Association of Librarians in Canada and service as the general coordinator of a documentary film titled "Ukraine During World War II." Ms. Rodak also noted that Mr. Gregorovich was recently commissioned as chief editor of a historical book chronicling 90 years of the UFA.

Mr. Gregorovich focused on the beginnings of the UFA, detailing the fraternal's entry into Canadian life and its contributions to the Ukrainian community. He elaborated on the beginnings of the magazine Forum and the difficulties that he encountered in promoting and securing interesting materials for the periodical. Mr. Gregorovich also enumerated the many other publications that the UFA developed. Among these were the newspaper Narodna Volya and its English supplement (Herald), anniversary booklets, almanacs, etc..

It should be noted that an exhibit of "100 years of Ukrainians in Toronto" was attractively displayed in a prominent area of the banquet hall. The documents, pictures, stories and other memorabilia were all from Mr. Gregorovich's personal library.

The entertainment program featured Roman Hrynkiv, a highly acclaimed bandura player from Kyiv, who demonstrated his virtuosity with several selections. Mr. Hrynkiv, also a composer, included his own personal works. The second part featured Vera Ke, a journalist and popular commentator on Toronto's Ukrainian television program "Svitohliad." Her clever commentaries were delighful and captivated the audience.

There were greetings from the Rev. Myron Stasiw, the Ukrainian National Association's director for Canada, a representative from the West Toronto Branch of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, and from the Ukrainian daily radio program "Song of Ukraine."

The final part of the formal program was the presentation of a certificate of merit to UFA activists Pawlina Dmytrenko and Jaroslaw Kowal. The 90th anniversary event ended with refreshments and the distribution of souvenir pens and calendars to participants.

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