By Marco Levytsky, NP-UN Western Bureau Chief
Fourteen people were honored with Hetman Awards at a banquet held at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex in Edmonton, November 9.
The Hetman Awards were established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council (UCC – APC) in 1998 to recognize significant volunteer achievements of outstanding Ukrainian Albertans.
Awards are presented in four categories: Outstanding Leadership, Outstanding Youth Leaders. Exemplary Volunteers, and Professional Achievement.
An additional special category, the Humanitarian Award was created in 2022 to recognize individuals and organizations in Alberta who have gone above and beyond in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war. Originally intended as a one-time recognition, it soon became an annual honour as the need for help and the generosity of our community continued to grow.
Orysia Boychuk, President of UCC – APC, which organized the event, welcomed guests and presented the awards.
Greetings were delivered by Viktoria Bozhko, Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, for the Government of Ukraine; Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees, for the Government of Alberta; Sarah Hoffman, MLA for Edmonton-Glenora, for the Alberta Official Opposition; Ziad Aboultaif, MP for Edmonton Manning, and Kerry Diotte, MP for Edmonton Greisbach for the Official Opposition to the Government of Canada; and Heather McPherson, MP for Edmonton Strathcona, for the federal NDP Opposition.
Performers included: Ruta Musical Folk Ensemble, Verkhovyna Choir, and the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers.
Masters of Ceremonies were Andrei Kisil and Ivanka Soletsky.
The awardees were as follows:
Outstanding Leadership Award
Dmytro Petrushchak: Dmytro is a visionary leader, mentor, and tireless volunteer who has made a transformative impact on the Ukrainian Canadian community in Edmonton and beyond. After immigrating to Canada in 1999, his journey began with joining the men’s group TYC in Canora, Saskatchewan, as their youngest member. Since moving to Edmonton in 2005, Dmytro has deepened his involvement through advocacy, cultural promotion, and youth mentorship.
Elected President of UCC Edmonton in May 2024, Dmytro has long been a driving force behind the Ukrainian Pavilion at Heritage Days. His leadership began in 2015 when he was invited to help reimagine the Pavilion, and by 2016 he became President of the newly formed Friends of Ukrainian Pavilion Society. Under his guidance, the Pavilion earned multiple awards between 2016 and 2022 for food, cultural performance, and overall excellence.
Dmytro Petrushchak (left) receiving the award from Orysia Boychuk. Dmytro had to leave before the group photo was taken.
Genia Leskiw; Genia is a lifelong educator, community leader, and advocate for Ukrainian culture in Alberta. A proud daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, she spent 36 years teaching in Bonnyville, where she championed Ukrainian language and traditions in schools and the wider community through pysanka writing, Ukrainian holiday celebrations, and cultural programs. Beyond her teaching career, Genia served as President of the St. Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Women’s Association, President of the Lakeland Ukrainian Association, and as a longtime volunteer at Kyiv’s-K-Hi summer camp. She also contributed to the Alberta Teachers’ Association, where she advocated for educational improvements. In 2008, Genia made history as the first woman and the first Ukrainian Canadian elected as MLA for Bonnyville–Cold Lake, serving two terms. During this time, she worked to strengthen Alberta–Ukraine relations as Chair of the Advisory Council, represented Alberta at international conferences, and raised awareness of the Holodomor.
Iryna Kravets-Kuzmicz: Iryna is a proactive leader whose communication skills, strategic vision, and commitment to cultural preservation and newcomer integration make her a strong community asset. Since immigrating from Donetsk in 2010, she has held leadership roles with the Edmonton Society of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization of Canada (UWOC), serving as President from 2021–2024. In this role, she spearheaded the creation of the Ukrainian Youth Theatre Studio “Homin.” She also co-organized the Airport Welcome Booth for newcomers and, as Manager of the Ukrainian Children’s Theatre-Studio “Dzherelo,” expanded the program from one to three groups with 60 children and eight teachers.
Beyond UWOC, Iryna is a Board Director and Volunteer Coordinator for the Friends of Ukrainian Heritage Pavilion, a Board Member of UNF Edmonton, and Director of Finance for St. John’s Children, supporting Ukrainian orphanages. She holds a Master’s in Applied Economics (Ukraine/England) and a Diploma in HR Management (Canada), combining analytical skills with compassionate leadership.
Nataliya Shcherban: Nataliya is a passionate educator, visionary leader, and cultural ambassador who immigrated to Canada about 20 years ago. Her greatest achievement is founding the first Ukrainian school in Lloydminster. She initiated, developed, and led the school to official recognition, transforming it into a vibrant hub where children learn Ukrainian language, history, and traditions while building pride, identity, and community connection. Even before the school’s launch, she spent over a year volunteering with newcomer families, organizing events, and fostering unity through celebrations such as Shevchenko Day, Vyshyvanka Day, Christmas pageants, Easter egg decorating, and traditional games.
A long-time volunteer with the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Nataliya has also led successful fundraisers and cultural initiatives – from bake sales and fall suppers to casino nights and heritage showcases — uniting people across generations. Thanks to her leadership, the Ukrainian school now stands as a cornerstone of cultural preservation and newcomer integration in Lloydminster.
Outstanding Youth Leader
Diana Kotsyuba: Since 2015, Diana has been deeply involved in the Ukrainian community – volunteering at school and church events, supporting donation drives, assisting at the Heritage Festival’s Ukrainian pavilion, and leading archival work to preserve community legacy. Before UNYF Edmonton was officially revived in December 2022, she was already instrumental in rebuilding its foundation. She started the “Stand With Ukraine Edmonton” rallies, led the exhibition The War Is Not Over, organized cultural and social events, developed UNYF Edmonton’s first website in 2023, and continues to manage its bilingual newsletter and social media. As Vice President in 2024, she introduced financial systems, improved transparency, mentored new members, and encouraged youth involvement. In 2025, she became President, leading with vision and a strong, growing team.
Exemplary Volunteer Award
Archie Ewaskiw: Archie has devoted over 70 years of humble service to church and community. At the Parish of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM), he is serving a second term as Board President and is always ready to help – maintaining the church, assisting at mass as altar server and bell ringer, and ensuring the building is prepared for parishioners. He has also given countless hours to community events, from preparing pyrohy for Edmonton’s Heritage Days to volunteering at casinos.
In 1970, Archie organized Ukrainian classes at PBVM so children could learn their language and traditions. He is a lifetime member of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church near Hilliard, where he serves as Vice President, and an active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood. In 2019, he was awarded the Certificate of Honour–Knight of St. Volodymyr for his outstanding dedication.
Joseph Tysowski: Joseph has shown unwavering dedication to promoting
Ukrainian culture and making a lasting impact on the community. Since 2010, Joe has been a vital member of the Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers Society, serving in roles such as Chair, Events Coordinator, and Fundraising. His efforts have been instrumental in organizing dance tours and cultural experiences in the USA and Ukraine. Joe’s leadership in planning and executing Yalenka’s Malanka event has been remarkable. Over the past 15 years, this event has served traditional Ukrainian meals to over 8,000people, featured 250 Ukrainian dances, and included 75 hours of live Ukrainian music.
His commitment also extends to organizing performances at Senior Centers, volunteering at Calgary’s Ukrainian Festival, and organizing a golf tournament for the Ukrainian Hockey League of Calgary to raise funds for youth hockey in Ukraine. Joe is known for his organization, reliability, and professional attitude, qualities that have earned him the respect and admiration of those who work with him.
Kathy Bell-Rabko: Kathy is a third generation Ukrainian Canadian, born in Myrnam, Alberta. Kathy is involved in Ukrainian community activities from an early age. She attended the “Cheremosh” school of dance until her late teenage years. As a mother of two daughters, she was an avid volunteer at St. Basil's summer children's camp, where her responsibility was planning programs and organizing children's activities. Kathy joined the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada in Edmonton in 1994. For 13 years she was a member of the executive board as a treasurer. During her membership at the UWO she chaired many fundraising events such as Zabavas, New Year’s, and Malanka celebrations, and volunteered at the Ukrainian Heritage Pavilion during the Edmonton Heritage Festival. The fundraising events organized by Kathy were financially and culturally essential to the existence of the UWO.
Kathy was always open to improving her Ukrainian language skills. She values her heritage, traditions, and the importance of language. She also made several trips to Ukraine to bond with her distant family and better understand her roots.
Joseph Tysowski: Joseph has shown unwavering dedication to promoting
Ukrainian culture and making a lasting impact on the community. Since 2010, Joe has been a vital member of the Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers Society, serving in roles such as Chair, Events Coordinator, and Fundraising. His efforts have been instrumental in organizing dance tours and cultural experiences in the USA and Ukraine. Joe’s leadership in planning and executing Yalenka’s Malanka event has been remarkable. Over the past 15 years, this event has served traditional Ukrainian meals to over 8,000 people, featured 250 Ukrainian dances, and included 75 hours of live Ukrainian music.
His commitment also extends to organizing performances at Senior Centers, volunteering at Calgary’s Ukrainian Festival, and organizing a golf tournament for the Ukrainian Hockey League of Calgary to raise funds for youth hockey I Ukraine. Joe is known for his organization, reliability, and professional attitude, qualities that have earned him the respect and admiration of those who work with him.
Mykhailo (Michael) Wowk: Over the last few decades, Mykhailo has been deeply involved in Ukrainian community life, serving on the Auditing Committees of numerous organizations including St. George Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Edmonton, the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex, and the Ukrainian Canadian Brotherhood of Canada – Edmonton Eparchy. Always willing to embrace new ideas, he has consistently tackled community challenges and sought to expand his skills. From 2013–2015, Mykhailo also served on the Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex, contributing his expertise to its growth and development. Beyond Canada,
Mykhailo actively supported democratic values in Ukraine by participating as an international election observer. Through the CANADEM program and the OSCE mission, he took part in eight Ukrainian Presidential and Parliamentary elections, working in cities such as Lutsk, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv. His commitment to fair and transparent democratic processes reflects his dedication not only to the Ukrainian community in Alberta but also to Ukraine itself.
Theresa Hlus: Theresa has been an exceptional volunteer since 2005, serving in many capacities with the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada at St. Basil’s Parish: Press and Publicity Committee, Recording Secretary, Vice President for five years, and on the Spiritual Committee where she helped develop “A Guide to Praying the Rosary.” At the Eparchial level, she served as Corresponding Secretary, producing the quarterly newsletter, and for the past 12 years has been Recording Secretary, showcasing her communication skills. She has also been a key member of the Convention Planning Committee, working at registration and serving as secretary at the past three conventions.
Nationally, Theresa has attended six UCWLC Congresses. From 2019–2022, she was Recording Secretary on the National Executive and played an important role in organizing the 2022 Congress in Edmonton. Her positive attitude, work ethic, and dedication make her a highly respected figure in the Church and Ukrainian community.
Professional Achievement Award
Zenon Wojnowskyj: Zenon, through his work as an Alberta Pharmacist, has significantly contributed to the health, well-being, and integration of Ukrainian refugees in the Edmonton area. Fluent in both Ukrainian and Polish, and with knowledge of Ukrainian medical terminology, Zenon created an innovative care model that addresses refugees’ medical and social needs. He recognized the unique challenges newcomers faced— language and cultural barriers, difficulty accessing healthcare, and arriving in Canada with little preparation or medical supplies. Word of his pharmacy spread quickly, and it soon adapted its focus to serve refugee needs, providing immediate care and referrals to a trusted network of Ukrainian-speaking physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals. Beyond clinical service, Zenon transformed his pharmacy into a vital community hub. Through educational seminars and a child-friendly gathering space, his efforts have alleviated the emotional strain of displacement and provided essential support.
Dr. Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn: Larisa, a successful Ukrainian Canadian artist, has been an inspirational leader in the Ukrainian community since young adulthood and her participation in CYMK. In January 2024/July 2025, she became the Interim Director of the Kule Folklore Centre (KuFC), University of Alberta. Among her community-oriented achievements, she was instrumental in hosting the exhibition “One Man, Talents Many…” showcasing the works of Ukrainian Canadian artist Wadym Dobrolige, and presenting the Canadian premiere of Volodymyr Mula’s film “UKE: The Untold Story of Hockey Legends,” which brought together art lovers, hockey fans, and community. One of her greatest accomplishments was salvaging 2,800 printing blocks representing 100 years of journalism in the Ukrainian Canadian community (1910–2018) from the defunct Trident Press in Winnipeg; these artifacts were cleaned, archived, and transformed into an impressive 9 ft x 40 ft mosaic collage with an interactive digital app that is now touring Canada.
Ukrainian Crisis Humanitarian Aid Award
Anna Tselukhina: Anna has been the organizer and driving force behind approximately 35 rallies in Calgary in support of Ukraine. These rallies, attended by hundreds and often joined by political leaders, have received strong media coverage and play a vital role in building support for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and displaced people in Alberta.
Wayne Pinkney: The Ivan Franko School of Ukrainian Studies in Fort McMurray proudly nominated Wayne for the Humanitarian Aid Award in recognition of his generosity and commitment. From donating supplies and funding to mentoring the school, Wayne has been a steadfast supporter. Every year since 2022, he has given bicycles to students, bringing them joy and confidence.
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