Saskatchewan UCC awards recognize 'Nation Builders,' community activists (12/25/05)

Saskatchewan UCC awards recognize 'Nation Builders,' community activists

SASKATOON - The contributions of some very special people were acknowledged at a formal luncheon in the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon on November 6.

This year marked the 11th time that the Ukrainian Canadian community of Saskatchewan, under the auspices of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC), celebrated the accomplishments of some of its notable citizens.

After 10 highly successful years of paying tribute to its "Nation Builders," UCC-SPC enhanced this prestigious recognition program as part of its Saskatchewan Centenary celebration by establishing a second award: the Community Recognition Award.

Community Recognition Awards will be bestowed annually upon persons who have made or are making meritorious contributions in the areas of youth achievement, leadership, volunteerism, cultural preservation and development and/or creativity and innovation in the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan-Canada. The combined total of Nation Builders and Community Recognition awards will remain at about 10 in any particular year.

The recipients of the 2005 Nation Builder Awards were:

Mike Boychuk (posthumously) was a Saskatoon businessman and construction contractor. The award was received on behalf of the family by his daughter Honya Olson.
Stefan Franko is a community leader and benefactor who over the years played a major role in the Ukrainian Self-Reliance movement and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
Ehor Gauk is an internationally renowned retired pediatric neurologist who has visited Ukraine on numerous occasions dealing with the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster.
Jennie Ortynsky is a retired registered nurse and president of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, who is playing a pivotal role in retaining Ukrainian traditions in Canada.
Anastasia Zuck (posthumously) was a teacher and pioneering leader with the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada. Receiving the award was her sister Julie Saganski and niece Eileen Ewanchuk.

The 2005 Community Recognition Awards recipients were:

Patrice Detz (for leadership and cultural preservation and development) is a specialist in Ukrainian costuming and history, as well as an ardent community supporter.
Shawna Lee Kozun (for cultural preservation and development) is a highly accomplished dance instructor serving rural communities.
Stacey Nahachewsky (for youth achievement) is an aspiring Olympian who has received numerous medals in canoeing-kayaking.
Theresa Sokyrka (for youth achievement) is a renowned singer and a youth role model for Saskatchewan's Centennial.
Yaroslaw Sywanyk (for volunteerism) is a community leader and a supporter of many Ukrainian Canadian community initiatives.

The master of ceremonies for the afternoon's luncheon and festivities was George Hupka, with Nadia Prokopchuk presenting the citations on each of the honorees. Presiding over the entire event was Ed Lysyk, vice-president of the UCC-SPC.

Formal greetings from the City of Saskatoon were brought by Mayor Don Atchison, from the Province of Saskatchewan by Andrew Iwanchuk, member of the Legislative Assembly (Saskatoon-Fairview) and by Orysia Sushko, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Attending the luncheon were about 200 individuals from across Saskatchewan and Canada, as well as two students from the State Oil and Gas University in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. The semiformal luncheon was complemented with traditional Ukrainian decor.

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