Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ottawa.
On September 7, 1891 Vasyl Ilyniak and Iwan Pylypow, both from Nebyliv, western Ukraine, arrived in Quebec City on the SS Oregon. They traveled to Canada's West, and spread the news about the vast farmlands there back to Ukraine. Their arrival marked the beginning of Ukrainian immigration to Canada.
For more information on Vasyl Ilyniak's and Iwan Pylypow's extraordinary journey please see: Vasyl Ilyniak, Iwan Pylypow.
For 125 years, Ukrainians have been contributing to the essential fabric of Canadian life and culture. The Ukrainian story in Canada is a testament to the opportunities and possibilities that our great country represents. Ukrainians have remembered their traditions, language and culture while giving back to the land where they have made their homes.
This year, the Ukrainian Canadian community celebrates 125 years of immigration to Canada in events from coast to coast to coast of our great country. Today, Ontario is celebrating Ukrainian Heritage Day. In her greeting, the Premier of Ontario, the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, stated, “The Ukrainian Canadian community has helped build Ontario into one of the best places in which to live, work and raise families. The community's significant contributions continue to enrich our province's multicultural landscape, and strengthen our social, economic and cultural life. This special occasion, in this special year, presents an ideal opportunity for Ukrainian Canadians to reflect on those contributions and on their rich heritage and culture.”
Manitoba has proclaimed 2016 the Year of Manitoba's Ukrainian-Canadian Cultural Heritage; Saskatchewan has designated 2016 the Year of Saskatchewan Ukrainians and Alberta has declared 2016-17 Alberta's Year of the Ukrainian Canadian.
On July 21 in Halifax at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Ukrainian Canadian community unveiled a plaque as a tribute to the five waves of Ukrainian immigrants who came to Canada over the past 125 years. A generous donation from Roman and Olena Coba and Oleh and Bozhena Iwanusiw of $10,000 was made to UCC to fund the plaque. The celebrations featured the launch of the exhibit “Journey to Canada: Ukrainian Immigration Experiences 1891-1900”, which will be displayed at the Canadian Museum of Immigration until October 30, 2016. For more information please see here.
Celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada are being held throughout the country – dozens of festivals and events celebrating Ukrainian Canadian culture and heritage have been held – from Victoria on the Pacific coast – to Halifax on the Atlantic coast.
These Celebrations will culminate at the XXVth Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians, which will be held in Regina, SK on September 29-October 2.
Register today at http://congress.ucc.ca/
Celebrations of the 125th anniversary include:
Montreal Ukrainian Festival – September 9-11; Parc de l'Ukraine; Intersection of Rue de Bellechasse and 12e avenue. For more information please see http://www.ukefestmontreal.org/en/home/
Victoria, BC – Exhibit Opening: 125th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada, Saturday September 10; Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville Street). For more information please see: http://www.ucc.ca/event/exhibit-opening-125th-anniversary-of-ukrainian-immigration-to-canada/
London, ON – Banquet Celebrating the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, 25th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence and the 75th Anniversary of the UCC – September 11, 12:30 PM; London Ukrainian Centre, 247 Adelaide St S, London, ON. For more information please call 519-472-7737
Winnipeg, Manitoba – Ukrainian Day, Sunday, September 11; Club Regent Event Centre. For more information please see http://www.uccmb.ca/ukrainianday/
Toronto, ON – Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival; September 16-18.
Share on Social Media
