Saskatchewan UCC announces 2003 Nation Builder honorees (01/25/04)

Saskatchewan UCC announces 2003 Nation Builder honorees

SASKATOON - The board of directors of the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress announced the 2003 UCC-SPC Nation Builder Award honorees, who were recognized for their achievements and contributions to Canadian society and to the Ukrainian community. Some of the awards were presented posthumously.

The 10 individuals were honored on November 2, 2003, at the ninth annual Nation Builder Awards (NBA) luncheon in Yorkton, Sask.

Initiated in 1995, the UCC-SPC Nation Builders Awards are an official recognition event of the UCC-SPC whose object is to recognize worthy individuals who have provided, without reward or gain, outstanding service or exceptional community involvement in an area that is beyond the performance of the individual's normal duties or the exercise of the responsibilities of a profession to which that individual belongs; and/or have made a lasting impact on Saskatchewan and/or Canada through their contribution to Canadian or Ukrainian-Canadian community development, goals and ideals.

Each year about 10 individuals are so recognized. Candidates for recognition are nominated by UCC-SPC member-organizations, as well as by individual members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community.

Each group of honorees is chosen so as to represent a cross-section of Saskatchewans Ukrainian community as well as Canadian society. Candidates for recognition must have spent a significant part of their lives in Saskatchewan or have made a significant part of their contribution while in Saskatchewan.

From its inception to the end of 2002, the Nation Builders Awards program has honored 95 individuals. Honorees hail from all parts of the province and represent a wide range of endeavors, from the arts and community advocacy, to community and/or political leadership and professional accomplishments.

The 2003 honorees and their citations follow.

Bishop Basil Filevich - Ordained a priest on April 12, 1942, Father Filevich served in five parishes and ended his church service as a bishop in Saskatchewan in 1984-1994. The leadership qualities of Basil Filevich were recognized with ever-advancing eparchial appointments and distinctions, culminating in 1972 with the title of mitred archpriest. In 1983, at the age of 65, Mitrat Filevich accepted the nomination as bishop of Saskatoon, remaining at his post to the age of 78 years. The second bishop for the Ukrainian Catholics of Saskatchewan, the Bishop Filevich showed himself, throughout his life, to be a man destined to play a significant role in the preservation and advancement of his heritage, community and church. His vision and determination was directed primarily at education and a participatory community involvement.
Wilfred Homenuik - Raised in Yorkton and member of the famous Homenuik golfing family, Mr. Homeniuk won innumerable amateur, open and invitational golf tournaments and championships in Canada and internationally. He was also a member of Canada's World Cup teams in 1965 and 1971. He is currently the teaching professional golfer at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto.
Yaris (Yaroslaw) Kotyk - Originally from Whitkow, Mr. Kotyk was extensively involved in the Ukrainian community from an early age, taking an active part in the projects and programs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth of Canada (SUMK), as well as assuming key leadership roles. In later years, he was a dedicated member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, serving in various executive positions for numerous years as well as organizer of the North Battleford TYC (Ukrainian Self-Reliance League) branch.
Vera Labach - Ms. Labach has made an immeasurable contribution to the teaching of Ukrainian in Saskatchewan and elsewhere through her work with the Saskatchewan Department of Education and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, as a teacher in the school system, a lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan and a volunteer teacher. She is a founding member of the Mohyla Institute Summer Immersion School and Ukrainian Sadochok. She has also worked on several Ukrainian language-related projects with Ukraine.
Emilia Panamaroff - In addition to her successful career as an accountant, Ms. Panamaroff has worked in the educational and cultural fields for over 30 years. She has conducted numerous workshops enlightening young and old in Ukrainian folk arts and language learning. Through her devoted efforts as both volunteer and its current CEO, she has been a key figure in the growth of the Musée Ukraina Museum in Saskatoon. She has been recognized for her outstanding leadership contributions to her local community. She has also actively campaigned on behalf of the needy in Ukraine and has established a foster children's plan.
Zenon Pohorecky - As the founding professor of the department of anthropology and archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Pohorecky spent 30 years developing novel courses, publishing and lecturing to a wide audience. A published artist since the age of 8, his most renowned work was a mural of Canada's Ukrainian Centennial, which was viewed worldwide. Dr. Pohorecky is also recognized for his never-ending efforts for Ukrainians and aboriginals, as well as his support for multiculturalism and human rights. He also was a significant player in the establishment of the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC-SPC) and held executive positions at local and provincial levels.
George Skwarchuk - A volunteer of legendary proportions, Mr. Skwarchuk dedicated himself not only to his Ukrainian community, but also the larger Canadian community. A recipient of many awards, he was part of the Boy Scout movement for 26 years, president of the Yorkton Ukrainian Self-Reliance League for many years as well as on the league's provincial and national executive boards. He was an active member of the Kinsmen, United Commercial Travelers and numerous other charitable organizations and institutions.
Lillian Steranko - All aspects of Ukrainian culture have been a major part of Ms. Steranko's life since her youth. She has also taught everything from baking traditional Easter breads and writing pysanky/Easter eggs to cantoring, as well as the Ukrainian language and dancing. Considered to be her greatest contribution is her work with choirs. She conducted the Stenen Church choir for many years plus a combined choir from the Stenen, Hyas, Norquay, Sturgis and Endeavour parish district.
Mary Usick - Ms. Usick has been extensively involved in the Ukrainian Canadian community over a prolonged period of time. A longtime member of Ukrainian Orthodox Youth of Canada, she served as President of the Regina Branch. She has been a member of Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada since the early 1940s and worked extensively with the Ukrainian Seniors of Regina, serving as president for a number of years. In Regina's mainstream community, she has supported numerous charitable causes and has received several awards for her volunteerism.
Sen. Paul Yuzyk - An academic and historian of note, Dr. Yuzyk taught history at the University of Manitoba and at the University of Ottawa. His studies and research centered on Slavic and Ukrainian history. Dr. Yuzyk published extensively, including the books: "The Ukrainians of Manitoba," "Ukrainian Canadians" and "Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada," as well as contributed to other books. As a senator, he was instrumental in shaping Canada's policy on multiculturalism. Dr. Yuzyk was a leader and extremely active in Ukrainian Canadian organizations.

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