Descendants of Ukrainian Settlers Gather at New Road Signs in Lamont County

Members of the Pullishy, Pylypow and Fenniak families.

(Lamont County/Submitted Photo)

Descendants of Ukrainian Settlers Gather at New Road Signs in Lamont County

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Representatives of Myhailo Pullishy, Wasyl Feniak and Iwan Pylypow families gathered at the locations of the new road signs in Lamont County on Aug. 28.

It was a fitting tribute to the original families who settled in the Star-Edna area and perfect timing as it coincided with the Babas & Borshch Ukrainian Festival. Representatives from each of the families shared some of their thoughts with the Vegreville News Advertiser recently.

Lorraine Pullishy-Aas said, “My feeling seeing the road signs was complete happiness and gratefulness to God for allowing this to happen for my Tato & Mamma, (Father and Mother) and my Gedo & Baba, (Grandfather & Grandmother) my children and most of all the Ukrainian’s from worn torn Ukraine.”

She had purchased one Ukrainian flag and one Canadian flag for the special occasion and was thrilled to gather together with several family members as well as some members of the Ukrainian families they are currently sponsoring.

John Fenniak is the grandson of Wasyl Fenniak who settled in Star in 1894. “I am only one of several hundred descendants from the one family. I don’t know if I speak for them all but I am honoured to have a road sign erected with the Feniak name.

To have our name associated with such a contribution to Canadian society is truly a tribute.”

Pat Tomkow is the great granddaughter of Iwan Pylypow. She said one thing that was nice as a result of the road renaming celebration was that it brought several of the descendants together.

Pylypow was one of three families who settled in Star. Tomkow said he came over on Sept. 7, 1891 to investigate as the government was promoting free land in Alberta. “They called it free land but you could obtain 160 acres for $10,” said Tomkow.

Pylypow returned to Ukraine to encourage others to come to Canada. One of those people was Nickolai Tychkowsky, who is also her great grandfather. Even though Pylypow was briefly imprisoned in Ukraine, he did return to Canada in 1893. Iwan and Maria Pylypow’s log home that was built in 1906 currently resides at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.

Tomkow said, “The signage is a way to pay tribute to the vision, perseverance and determination to build a better life and we today are beneficiaries of that.”

On June 29, Pullishy-Aas went before members of Lamont County council with her road renaming request. Council confirmed all the necessary pre-requisites had been completed under Policy 5118 and approved re-naming of:

• Township Road 564, (from Range Road 831 to 192) renamed Myhailo Pullishy Road;

• Range Road 192, (from Township Road 564 to 562) renamed Wasyl Feniak Road; and

• Township Road 562, (from Range Road 831 to 192) renamed Iwan Pylypow Road.

Pullishy-Ass had previously stated, “To me, the roots of our family and Ukrainian culture are very important to maintain. These early pioneers were the first of thousands from across Ukraine who came to Canada and played a large part in building our community.”