Transmitted At: 2008-05-09

Government of Canada Establishes Historic Endowment Fund With the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

This morning in Toronto the Government of Canada established a $10 million endowment fund to commemorate the experience of thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans that were interned between 1914–1920 and the suspension of civil liberties of tens of thousands of fellow Canadians.

Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (Shevchenko Foundation) President, Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C., signed this agreement on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Community as witnessed by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) President, Paul Grod and by Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) President. Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk. These three principle negotiators representing the Ukrainian Canadian Community, along with Secretary of State Hon. Jason Kenney gathered to sign this most significant and historic document at Stanley Barracks at the CNE in Toronto. Internee descendants were also present.

“This symbolic restitution, reflecting a part of the funds previously confiscated from the internees as well as their unpaid labour, is the first step of reconciliation which will bring to light to uninformed Canadians this sad chapter in Canadian history. The plight of the internees which included the forfeiture of their civil liberties as well as their economic capacity has been largely ignored by Canadian historians. The signing of this funding agreement allows this journey of knowledge to begin” said Andrew Hladyshevsky Q.C. President of the Shevchenko Foundation.

Board Members of both Shevchenko Foundation and Ukrainian Canadian Congress participated in a tandem event that was held at the Shevchenko Foundation Head Office. Treasury Board President Hon.Vic Toews announced, on behalf of the Hon. Jason Kenney Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) the establishment of the $10 million endowment fund designated for the support of projects for the commemoration and recognition of the experiences of ethnocultural communities affected by the First World War.

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For more information, contact:: Lesia Szwaluk, Executive Director; Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko; Email: lesia@shevchenkofoundation.ca; Website: www.shevchenkofoundation.com; Telephone: (204) 944-9128

2008

MAY 28, 2008 – Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko President Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C. Received the Order of Merit From President of Ukraine

MAY 9, 2008 – Government of Canada Establishes Historic Endowment Fund With the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

MARCH 7, 2008 – Janice Kulyk Keefer Named Recipient of $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award for 2008

2007

MAY 8, 2007 – Victor Malarek Investigative Journalist Recipient of 2007 Syrnick Journalism Award

2006

MARCH 2, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR LITERARY AWARD 2006 RECIPIENT (PDF)

FEBRUARY 27, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 GALA (PDF)

JANUARY 16, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT (PDF)

2005

ORANGE REVOLUTION COVERAGE WINS NEW JOURNALISM AWARD

SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION FINDS NEW HOME

2004

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CALLING THE CANADIAN LITERARY AWARD "THE KOBZAR"?

WHAT ARE SOME CANADIAN STORIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD OR POTENTIALLY COULD BE TOLD?