“Journey to Canada” exhibit unveiled at Canadian Museum of Immigration
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), in cooperation with the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Kule Folklore Center and the UCC Halifax-Dartmouth Branch celebrated the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada in Halifax on July 21.
The celebrations featured the launch of the exhibit “Journey to Canada: Ukrainian Immigration Experiences 1891-1900” depicting the journey that the first Ukrainian settlers in Canada made and their pioneer experiences. The exhibit – generously provided by the Kule Folklore Center at the University of Alberta – will be displayed through October 30 at the Canadian Museum of Immigration.
The Ukrainian Canadian community also unveiled a plaque as a tribute to the five waves of Ukrainian immigrants who came to Canada over the past 125 years. The plaque notes: “They helped build our great nation and championed Canadian values like multiculturalism.”
The celebration at Pier 21 was attended by some 100 guests. UCC interim Executive Director Olya Grod was master of ceremonies. Marie Chapman, CEO of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, welcomed the guests and provided a historical context to the proceedings.
Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labor MaryAnn Mihychuk brought greetings on behalf of the government of Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“In 1891 what are thought to be the first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, Ivan Pylypiw and Wasyl Eleniak, arrived on our shores. They and the hundreds of thousands of others who were to follow found success in a new land, thanks to their hard work, love of family and careful stewardship of the land,” stated Minister Mihychuk. “These pioneers and their descendants – numbering some 1.3 million today – have left a profound mark on Canada and have contributed to our nation’s success in all fields of endeavor.”
Member of Parliament Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton-Melville) brought greetings on behalf of the Official Opposition, and MP Linda Duncan (Edmonton Strathcona) spoke on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
Lena Metlege Diab, Nova Scotia minister of immigration, brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government and Mayor Mike Savage spoke on behalf of the city of Halifax.
Honored guests at the event included: Geoff Regan, speaker of the House of Commons; MP and Chair of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Etobicoke Center); Sen. Raynell Andreychuk; Tony Ince, Nova Scotia minister of communities, culture and heritage; and Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia minister of labor and advanced education.
The plaque honoring five waves of Ukrainian immigration to Canada was unveiled and then blessed by the Rev. Roman Dusanowskyj, pastor of the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
The inscription on the plaque reads: “In honor of the many thousands of Ukrainians who began arriving in Canada after 1891 seeking freedom and prosperity. They helped build our great nation and championed Canadian values like multiculturalism. Ukrainian Canadians have enriched Canada through their industriousness, rich cultural heritage, strong religious beliefs and dedication to their community and ancestral homeland.”
Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, the artist who created the three large display panels, spoke on behalf of the Kule Folklore Center. She wore the sheepskin coat in which her great grandmother arrived at Pier 21 in 1908.
UCC National President Paul Grod stated, “As we celebrate 125 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, we honor and remember those who came to Canada and built the foundations of our strong and vibrant community.” On behalf of our community, he expressed “heartfelt gratitude to Roman and Olena Coba, and Oleh and Bozhena Iwanusiw for their generous donation of $10,000, which allowed us to unveil the plaque honoring the five waves of Ukrainian immigration to Canada.”
“This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich history of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, at the place where so many Ukrainians took their first steps on Canadian soil,” stated John Zareski, president of the UCC Halifax-Dartmouth Branch, who offered closing remarks and thanks to all the organizers and guests, “who made this evening a resounding success.
For an interview with curator Dan Conlin and Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn about the “Journey to Canada: Ukrainian Immigration Experiences 1891-1900,” which aired on CTV, readers may visit http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/pier-21-canadian-museum-of-immigration.