John Syrnick 2013 Journalism Award Presentation - Highlights
The Globe & Mail Wins Syrnick Journalism Award
Toronto, April 24, 2013 – The Globe & Mail is the fifth recipient of the John Syrnick Award for Journalism, sponsored by the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko. The Globe & Mail was chosen from a long list of Canadian print media who provide illuminating coverage of issues, significant to a readership of over one million Ukrainian Canadians.
Congratulations to Ms. Irena Bell of Ottawa on being presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Senator Raynell Andreychuk in a ceremony on Parliament Hill. Irena Bell is a generous supporter of the Shevchenko Foundation and a member of our Kobzar Fellowship circle. We are grateful to Irena for all the valuable work she does for the Ukrainian community in Ottawa and beyond and wish her Mnohaya Lita!
E-Bulletin
Click here to download Volume 18 of our E-Bulletin (PDF).
12th Annual Bookmark Campaign
Shevchenko Foundation congratulates Iryna Karpenko whose painting was chosen to be featured in our 12th annual bookmark campaign.
The foundation proudly distributes 30,000 of these bookmarks to Ukrainian language schools; dance and youth groups throughout Canada to raise awareness of Ukraine's greatest poet.
Please contact us if you would like to be added to our bookmark mailing list.
E-Bulletin
Click here to download Volume 17 of our E-Bulletin (PDF).
Sophia Kachor Awarded Queen's Jubilee Medal
Shevchenko Foundation is proud to announce that our Board member Sophia Kachor was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her many years of outstanding work in the Ukrainian Canadian community. The medal was presented by Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Paul Grod at a reception on Friday, Feb 8th in Winnipeg. Sophia is the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Cultural & Educational Centre in Winnipeg and President of North Winnipeg Credit Union. We are very proud to have someone of her talent and commitment as part of our Foundation.
Congratulations Sophia & Мнoгая Лiта!
Yuri Vynnychuk and Lesya Voronyna win the BBC Ukrainian book awards
BBC Ukrainian has announced the winners of its Book of the Year (Книга року BBC 2012) and Children’s Book of the Year (Дитяча Книга року BBC 2012) awards which are presented in partnership with the Cultural Programme of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Great funding news for Taras Shevchenko themed projects
To commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birthdate on March 9, 2014, and to assist in promoting our namesake's significant contribution to our culture and heritage, the Foundation will give special consideration to projects which highlight and celebrate Taras Shevchenko's works. In particular, priority will be given to unique projects which increase the engagement of the Ukrainian-Canadian community and the public at large.
To further qualify these projects/events should be scheduled to occur between the fall of 2013 and the fall of 2014. The projects must also meet the Foundation's existing criteria as per our grants program. Please refer to the grants program page on our website or contact our office for more information.
Scholarships Funds at the Shevchenko Foundation
The Foundation supports higher education by providing several scholarships annually and encourages students of Ukrainian heritage to apply.
Click here to download Volume 15 of our E-Bulletin (PDF).
Congratulations!
Shevchenko Foundation is proud to announce that our Executive Director Lesia Szwaluk was recently awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her many years of outstanding work in the community. We are very proud to have someone of her dedication and passion as part of our Foundation. Congratulations Lesia & Мнoгая Лiта!
Pictured at left: Lesia Szwaluk receiving Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal on August 22, 2012 at Northwood Community Center, Winnipeg. Here with Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North.
This has been a productive and rewarding year for all of us at the Foundation as we continued to connect with the Ukrainian Canadian community through a variety of projects and events throughout the year. We are proud to be able to provide significant financial support to all these valuable projects as they have become essential in defining our unique Ukrainian Canadian identity.
We at the Shevchenko Foundation continue to be moved and inspired by the hard work and dedication of the countless volunteers and individuals in our community who continue to work daily in the preservation, education and celebration of our Ukrainian culture and heritage in Canada. This confirms to us the importance of our grants program in ensuring that this work continues. As you read the 2012 Annual Report I am hopeful that you too will recognize the importance of sustaining these projects, institutions, educators and artists for our future generations.
We are very pleased to advise you that your options for giving to the Shevchenko Foundation have become even easier. This year we have introduced the option of rounding up your debit purchases through ChangeIt® with the difference being directed to the Foundation. Many of our donors are required by their employers to give through the United Way which allows for donations to be made to the Shevchenko Foundation as designated on the United Way forms. Please ensure that you list Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko as per our registration with United Way when completing your form. Some employers and local United Way charities as well as TELUS will not only direct your donations but will match them as well. On-line giving through CanadaHelps is also available.
Please explore these options for yourself and inform your colleagues on how easy it is to donate to the Foundation using these efficient donation options. Every dollar counts, enabling us to continue providing the financial support so vital to the projects you read about in this publication.
As we look forward to celebrating 50 years of the Shevchenko Foundation in 2013, I thank you for your continued support and invite you to join us in our upcoming celebrations. Please watch your mailbox as well as our website and Facebook pages for more details as they become available.
God Bless,
Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C.
President
E-Bulletin
Click here to download Volume 12 of our E-Bulletin (PDF).
Walter Halchuk Memorial Book Award 2012
Walter Halchuk enjoyed reading about history and was an active member of the Ukrainian Canadian community. Through a book award in his memory, the Shevchenko Foundation wishes to highlight both these passions.
The Walter Halchuk Memorial Book Award was established after his passing in 2004. It is presented to the student earning the highest mark in a Canadian history course at Laurentian University. Over the last 7 years, a book on Canadian History is presented to a worthy student. This year's recipient is
Amy Konrad. During the 2011-2012 academic year, Amy achieved a mark of 98% in HIST 3156, History of Education in Canada.
This year the book selected for the award is The Codex Canadensis and the Writings of Louis Nicolas, by Francois-Marc Gagnon, et al. The Shevchenko Foundation congratulates Amy Konrad as this year's recipient of the Walter Halchuk Memorial Book Award.
Mr. Halchuk was the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Sudbury Branch and UCC-Ontario Provincial Council. He was an active member of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA), which collected the funds to establish the Award through the Shevchenko Foundation.
Українська Канадська Фундація ім. Тараса Шевченка Щиро Вітає Усіх Жертводавців і Прихильників з Великодними Святами Христос Воскрес! Воїстину Воскрес!
11th Annual Bookmark Campaign
Shevchenko Foundation congratulates Oleh Lesiuk whose painting was chosen to be featured in our 11th annual bookmark campaign.
The foundation proudly distributes 30,000 of these bookmarks to Ukrainian language schools; dance and youth groups throughout Canada to raise awareness of Ukraine's greatest poet.
Please contact us if you would like to be added to our bookmark mailing list.
SPRING GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1st
The new grant applications and guidelines will be available on our website by March 1, 2012. To allow sufficient time for filling out and submitting your applications, for this year only, the April 2012 deadline date has been moved to May 1, 2012. The bursary application deadline will remain at April 1st. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards improving our granting program.
Shevchenko Foundation calls for nomination for new Board Members
As a volunteer Board Member, the director sets the policy of the Shevchenko Foundation, ensures that it operates in a legal, ethical and professional manner. The Board Member acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization, demonstrates leadership skills and is committed to the development of Ukrainian community and Ukrainian cultural heritage in Canada.
Board Members need to have knowledge and skills in one or more of these areas:
Knowledge of the Ukrainian community in Canada, ideally as demonstrated by active participation in organizational life
Broad understanding of Ukrainian cultural traditions and challenges in maintaining a Ukrainian identity in Canada
Experience in the development of strategies, objectives, formulation and oversight of policies and procedures
Financial management including adoption and oversight of budget, financial statements, risk management
Able to review proposals for grants that are received by the Foundation and to provide recommendations for funding of grant proposals, in a fair and impartial manner
Expeience in the field of human resources.
Experience on other boards
NOTE: Board meetings are conducted in English; however knowledge of the Ukrainian language is an asset.
If you are interested in being considered for the Board of Directors, please complete the Nomination Application (PDF) and submit by April 30, 2012 to: Nominating Committee Chair,
202-952 Main Street,
Winnipeg, MB R2W 3P4,
or email lesia@shevchenkofoundation.ca
Kobzar Literary Award Shortlist 2012
Biennial $25,000 Award recognizes outstanding
contributions to Canadian literary arts through
presentation of a Ukrainian Canadian theme with
literary merit.
Shevchenko Foundation participates in the Unveiling Ceremony of Spirit Lake Internment Camp Interpretive Centre November 24, 2011
The 'ribbon cutting' at the inauguration of the Spirit Lake Internment Camp Interpretive Centre Nov. 24. Barbed wire was symbolically used instead. (l-r): Peter Goldring, MP (Alberta), James Bezan, MP (Manitoba), Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney, Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C. (President, Taras Shevchenko Foundation), James Slobodian (President, Spirit Lake Camp Corporation)
For the full news release and more information and photographs, go to www.uccla.ca or contact UCCLA at media@uccla.ca For more information about the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, go to www.internmentcanada.ca
Making a Difference
Dear Friend of the Foundation,
Thank you for your generous support in the past. We do not take lightly the fact that you have set aside some of your hard earned money to support the Shevchenko Foundation's work. Do you love stories? We do. And we want to share with you a testimonial of how your support and the support of others across this great nation of ours, is helping our young people grow in appreciation and love for their Ukrainian culture.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support as the recipient of the Shevchenko Foundation grant… which assisted in the reduction of my financial burdens and provided assistance for me as I pursued my education in Ukrainian studies at Kyiv Mohyla Academia in Ukraine. Following the completion of my degree, I plan on applying to the faculty of education to become a primary school teacher. As a Ukrainian educator I hope to inspire our future leaders of tomorrow, allowing them the opportunity to embrace their Ukrainian culture and recognize the importance of continuing the traditions which make up their heritage. Again, I thank you for investing in my future. Your generosity truly makes a difference." Sincerely, Ashley Watsko (of Dugald, MB)
It is stories such as this that motivate us at the Shevchenko Foundation to clarify our goals as an organization so that we can be most effective at what we do. We recognize that the need is great, the cause is worthy, and this is the ideal time of year to support it. People give because they value the cause given to. So this Christmas, please consider donating to the Foundation in memory of a beloved family member whom we will list on our In Memoriam page of our website. Or you may choose to gift your donation to a friend or a loved one and we will mail our unique Christmas card to your chosen recipient. Remember to make your donation before Dec 31st to receive your 2011 tax deductible receipt. We've done all we can to make it easy for you to do your Christmas shopping. Just go to our website and follow our secure, on-line donation link and please help make this season of giving a meaningful and lasting one.
Thank you.
Annual Bookmark Campaign
Every March, the Shevchenko Foundation commemorates the work of our namesake, Ukraine's greatest poet and patriarch Taras Shevchenko
by distributing 35,000 bookmarks to children and youth enrolled in Ukrainian language schools; dance schools and youth groups across Canada.
If you are a Ukrainian Canadian artist and interested in submitting your artwork to be featured on our bookmark please contact us for details.
Deadline for submissions is Dec 31st.
Did you know that as part of your company's United Way and All Charities campaigns, you can designate all or part of your contributions to the Shevchenko Foundation?
It's easy. Using their pledge cards, indicate that you would like to designate your donation to the Shevchenko Foundation. Please also include our charitable registration number 119 273 472 RR0001. You may also call your local United Way to arrange for a gift to our Foundation. Donations received through the United Way and All Charities in this manner support Ukrainian-Canadian projects, programs and events throughout Canada. Please tell your family and friends to do the same.
Kobzar Literary Award Shortlist 2012
Biennial $25,000 Award recognizes outstanding
contributions to Canadian literary arts through
presentation of a Ukrainian Canadian theme with
literary merit.
Jurors Announced for
$25,000 Kobzar Literary Award
Toronto • November 8, 2011: The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (Shevchenko Foundation) is pleased to announce the Kobzar 2012 Literary Award judging panel.
Shevchenko Foundation at Ukrainian Day on the Hill
Ottawa • October 28, 2011: On Monday October 24th, the Ukrainian Canadian community held its inaugural Ukrainian Day on the Hill with a grand celebration of Ukrainian culture and heritage at the Government Conference Center on Parliament Hill.
The Kurelek Art Exhibit is coming to Winnipeg!
September 30 – December 31, 2011
For more information, please visit www.kurelek.ca
Pictured at left:
Foundation Board member Sophia Kachor presenting $5,000 grant cheque to Stephen Borys, Director of WAG in support of this exhibit.
Christmas Card Appeal
Dear Friends & Artists,
Each year the Shevchenko Foundation commissions a Ukrainian Canadian artist to create an art piece depicting a Ukrainian Christmas theme for our annual Christmas card campaign. Approximately 12,000 cards are distributed across Canada during the Foundation's Christmas Appeal.
The artist whose work is selected is paid an honorarium of $1,000 for the art piece. Although the Christmas Card Campaign is primarily a fund raising appeal for the Foundation, it is truly a wonderful venue for exposing the talent of Ukrainian artists in Canada to a large and widespread audience. We hope that you will consider our request for submission for this year.
If interested, please submit your work to the Shevchenko Foundation office by Monday, October 2, 2011. Please also pass this information along to other Ukrainian artists in your community who may be interested. We thank you in advance for your interest and assistance and look forward to hearing from you. For more information, please call our office (toll free) 1-866-524-5314.
Music of Survival - The Story of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus
The Foundation is a proud supporter of Music of Survival, a film about the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and we welcome your donations which will help bring this valuable project to fruition. See www.musicofsurvival.com for a preview.
Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko holds its Annual Meeting in Ottawa
July 8, 2011, Winnipeg, MB: The Annual Meeting of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (Shevchenko Foundation) was held on June 24-26, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario to coincide with the June 26th unveiling of the Shevchenko Memorial in our country's capital.
Kobzar Fellowship welcomes 19 newest inductees at a Reception
in Winnipeg on
March 20
The Shevchenko Foundation honoured the generosity and foresight of 19 newly inducted Kobzar Fellows at a Kobzar Fellowship Reception held in Winnipeg on March 20th, 2011.
10th Annual Bookmark Campaign - Congratulations to Valeriy Semenko
Shevchenko Foundation is pleased to congratulate Valeriy Semenko, Ukrainian-Canadian visual artist from Edmonton who's painting Starey Kobzar was chosen among 8 submissions to be featured in our 10th annual bookmark campaign. Semenko's painting beautifully expresses the words from Taras Shevchenko's poem Perebendia, an excerpt of which appears on the back of this year's bookmark and you can read it here along with our President's message. The Shevchenko Foundation is proudly distributing these bookmarks to Ukrainian Language Schools; Dance Groups and Youth Groups throughout Canada. Watch for yours in the mail or contact us if you would like to obtain some.
The Shevchenko Foundation assists Theresa Sokyrka to produce a Ukrainian Roots Album
With a generous recording grant from the Shevchenko Foundation, Theresa Sokyrka - recording artist and singer/songwriter has successfully completed her first self titled Ukrainian Roots Album.
Renowned Canadian author Randall Maggs has been named the recipient of the $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award for his acclaimed hockey saga Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems (Brick Books, 2008).
Irena Bell Awarded Queen’s Jubilee Medal
Thank you for your generous support in the past. We do not take lightly the fact that you have set aside some of your hard earned money to support the Shevchenko Foundation's work. Do you love stories? We do. And we want to share with you a testimonial of how your support and the support of others across this great nation of ours, is helping our young people grow in appreciation and love for their Ukrainian culture.
