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Vol. 11, No. 41, Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Celebration marks 125th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada
MICHELLEPINON PHOTOS
Part of Ukrainian Day celebrations at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village on Sunday, Aug. 7th included the ribbon cutting and blessing of Mykola and Dora Stelmachʼs Homestead home that was officially opened by former Alberta Premier Ed stelmach with the assistance of Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Alberta Provincial Council and some of the Stelmach grandchildren. In the photo above, Ed holds grandson Ben, and wife Marie holds grandson Roman. In the back from left to right are: Jarek, Helen, Anna, Naomi, Ethan and Michael.
Michelle Pinon Editor
Sunday, August 7th was an emotional day for members of the Stelmach families as well as other families of Ukrainian descendants who attended Ukrainian Day at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (UCHV). There were several important tributes throughout the day. One of those special tributes began later in the morning with the Stelmach House ribbon cutting ceremony and preview tour, followed by the Centenary Plaque Name Unveilling, Chornobyl 30th Anniversary Monument Blessing, Canadian Legion Monument Blessing, Internment Camp Monument Blessing, Centenary Pioneer Certificate Presentations, Michael Luchkovich Award Presentation to Gene Zwozdesky. There were a plethora of other activities throughout the day, that saw thousands of visitors descend upon the popular outdoor museum. In fact, faith is the cornerstone of many of those activities, including the blessing of Mykola and Dora Stelmach’s Homestead Home by Bishop David Motiuk. Ed Stelmach, who spoke on behalf of his family told the gathering of people that, “The house is more than just an important piece of family heritage. It is a symbol of what can be accomplished in a country that was truly a land of opportunity. “They had their faith, and their determination, and the help of their community; but their success was only possible because of the freedoms that we enjoy here in Canada. Freedoms that were not present in the old country!” Stelmach went on to thank various contributors to the restoration project, including original restoration officer Father Jim Nakonechny, and the crew that painstakingly restored the home. “As a family, we are honoured that this house will be used to educate visitors to the village about the lives and experiences of settlers through the turn of the century and into the early 1900’s. I know that it is only through the study of history that we recognize how difficult life was for the early settlers, but how through strong faith, perseverance and community that much could be accomplished…We will now be able to tell the story, the real story, for generations to come.” The Alberta-Ukraine Genealogical Project, added the names of more than 230 pioneers of Ukrainian descent onto the Centenary Monument, and a special certificate ceremony was held to pay tribute to them. Deron Bilous, Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, officially declared 2016-’17 as “Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian-Canadian” during celebrations of the 125th year of Ukrainian immigration to Canada.