A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...

Mohyla Institute's summer program offers language immersion for teens

by Ron Trischuk

SASKATOON - Since 1970 the Mohyla Institute's summer program has offered a unique opportunity for teens to study the Ukrainian language through qualified instruction and a total immersion setting.

The program is geared for students who have completed Grade 8 and are under the age of 18; knowledge of the Ukrainian language is not required.

At the end of the five-week program, students have acquired a high school credit in Grade 10, 11 or 12 Ukrainian, which is recognized throughout Canada as a valid high school credit.

This year's summer program is scheduled for July 5-August 7.

Additional activities include:

• Ukrainian singing, from contemporary folk songs to church music;
  
  
• music - bandura is learned daily; in addition, students bring their own instruments and form an orchestra/band;
  
  
• culture - students are exposed to Ukrainian cuisine, embroidery, the traditions of Ivana Kupalo, wedding customs, movies, folk and pop music; as well, local experts share their knowledge and each Sunday students attend different churches in and around Saskatoon;
  
  
• dancing - working with a celebrated choreographer, students prepare four or five dances representing various regions of Ukraine;
  
  
• sports - a wide variety of outdoor sports activities from soccer and tennis to wall climbing and rowing/canoeing are offered;
  
  
• travel/performances - mini-concerts are performed at seniors' residences, other summer camps, small communities and, most recently, Canada's National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba; the last day of the program features the final concert - a showcase before the public of what the students learned.

Institute's history

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Mohyla Institute.

At the turn of the century, a large-scale immigration from the western regions of Ukraine, namely Halychyna and Bukovyna, flooded into Canada. These new arrivals created a strong Ukrainian community that needed schools and teachers for their young. Schools were soon established, and the education authorities realized that Ukrainian teachers were necessary for effective communication with the children and their parents.

The need for special training schools and education for the children in the Ukrainian settlements inspired the establishment of a "bursa," a board and lodging educational facility located in Saskatoon. At one of the Kameniari student society's meetings in March of 1916, Mr. A. Kibzey suggested that a facility should be established for the Ukrainian community.

In the same year a successful fund-raising campaign resulted in premises being rented and the acceptance of 35 students who would attend public, secondary and normal schools (teachers' colleges) and universities. The institute would offer classes in the Ukrainian language, history and literature.

Later in 1916, the institute was named in honor of Metropolitan Petro Mohyla, an outstanding educator and leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kyiv.

In the spring of 1918 the Empress Hotel was purchased to house the growing number of students. This building was used until 1964, when, through the efforts of a small number of the institute's alumni, a new building was built at the present address of 1240 Temperance St. in Saskatoon.

For further information write to: Mohyla Institute, 1240 Temperance St., Saskatoon, SK S7N 0P1; call 306-653-1944; e-mail [email protected]; or log on to www.mohyla.ca.

A Ukrainian Summer (main page)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 7, 2006, No. 19, Vol. LXXIV

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