2008 Issue 2 Fall

UCAMA
M AT T E R S
Honourary Patrons
The Honourable Norman L. Kwong, CM, AOE, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
His Worship Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton
His Worship Dave Bronconnier, Mayor of Calgary
Mrs. Marie Stelmach
UCAMA seeks funding from Ottawa
“Building Canada” application
requests Federal contribution
for new museum
by khrystyna kohut
as former Governor General Ramon
Hnatyshyn and Supreme Court
Judge John Sopinka, understood the
vital need to champion diversity and
multiculturalism, which changed the
fabric of the country forever.”
UCAMA has submitted an
application to the “Building Canada”
When Prime Minister Harper
fund for its new Ukrainian Museum
appeared in Calgary last year to
and Archives in downtown
present a $5 million cheque to The
Edmonton. The application for
Military Museums, he announced
$8 million was submitted to the
“As the national government, we must
Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister
do our part to ensure projects that
of Industry and Regional Minister
seek to tell Canadians the stories that
members met with the following
of Alberta Industry Canada, on 6
shaped the country we know and
representatives; Mr. Laurie Hawn, Mr.
May 2008. This submission quickly
love today, flourish across the country,
James Rajotte, Mr. Ken Epp, Mr. Peter
followed on the heels of the $75,000
not just in the nation’s capital.” We
Goldring, Mr. Mike Lake, Mr. Rahim
grant received from Western
wholeheartedly
Economic
agree with
Diversification
our Prime
Canada to
Minister and
“As the national government, we must do our part to
update our
look forward
ensure projects that seek to tell Canadians the stories
Business
to a similar
Plan. “The
that shaped the country we know and love today, flourish
announcement
redevelopment
before year’s
across
the
country,
not
just
in
the
nation’s
capital.
”
of the
end in support
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Ukrainian
of our new
Canadian
museum
Archives
project.
Jaffer, and Minister Rona Ambrose.
and Museum of Alberta will have
They all assured UCAMA they were
a positive impact on the economic
supportive and that our project was
revitalization of Edmonton’s
high on their list of priorities. To
downtown,” said Minister Rona
UCAMA seeks funding from Ottawa
President’s Message
Ambrose when announcing that grant. quote the Honourable Jim Prentice,
UCAMA Night at the Metro
Minister of Industry, “We recognize
New Fundraising Initiative
Once our application was submitted,
the important role the Ukrainian
Cultural Workshop Series
UCAMA immediately arranged for
community has played in the growth
Digitization of Photo Collection
meetings with seven members of
and development of our nation.
The Holowach Tree
Edmonton Federal Caucus. Board
Prominent Ukrainian Canadians, such
IN THIS ISSUE
FALL 2008
Honourary Patrons
The Honourable Norman L. Kwong CM, AOE,
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Message from
the President
With the financial crises spreading from the United States to the rest of the
world including Canada, this may not seem to be the best of times to be
undertaking the construction of a new museum facility in Edmonton. However, I
would urge you all to take heart. The stock market crash coupled with the drop
in the price of a barrel of oil will likely drive down construction starts and cool
our overheated construction industry here in Alberta. It is likely that building
costs will drop. Our application to the Federal government is in their hands
and they have said they will act on it after the election dust settles. Times of
hardship can bring out the very best in us.
It is also an excellent time to consider devoting some of your time to assisting
UCAMA with their myriad of projects requiring volunteers. It costs you
nothing and will provide you with a wonderful sense of accomplishment
and camaraderie. You could make it a family affair. We need individuals with
computer skills; people who can read and write in Ukrainian; people who
can sew; who can work with their hands and construct boxes; and people
who would just like to work in a museum environment. We need fund raisers
and special event co-ordinators. You will receive professional instruction and
guidance from board members including myself. And best of all you’ll have
a good time personally contributing to one of the great Ukrainian Canadian
projects of our time.
Whether you can contribute a few hours a week or a few days a month, please
consider joining our team. We promise you the experience of a lifetime.
His Worship Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton
Michelle Tracy
President
His Worship Dave Bronconnier, Mayor of Calgary
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Naming Opportunities Available
Main Gallery
Gallery A
Gallery B
Main Stair
Canyon Stair
Library*
South Gallery
East Gallery
Rear Gallery
Archives
Mrs. Marie Stelmach
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$1,500,000
$1,500,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
$750,000
$750,000
$500,000
$500,000
$500,000
Roof Top South
Terrace/Garden
$250,000
Founder’s Room*
$200,000
North Window
$175,000
Multipurpose Room
$150,000
Roof Top East
Terrace/Garden
$150,000
South Double Windows (2) $50,000
South Single Windows (12) $25,000
East Mini-Windows (13)
$10,000
*SOLD
For more information call UCAMA
at 424-7580 or visit www.ucama.ca
U C A M A M AT T E R S – FA L L 2 0 0 8
UCAMA Night at the Metro
FUNDRAISING AND VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT NIGHT
ENJOYED BY ALL
On Thursday, 16 October 2008,
UCAMA held an evening at
Edmonton’s Metro Billiard Café to
promote our new museum project
and to encourage people to sign up as
volunteers.
This innovative evening was wellreceived by our guests who were
entertained by the beautiful, rich voice
of Luba Bilash and the multi-talented
musician Brian Cherwick, who spoke
about and played on numerous
Ukrainian instruments, all in the
capable hands of our emcee, Roman
Brytan.
During the evening there was an
informative video presentation on
the museum’s award-winning design
given by Ian Morgan, from
the firm of HIP Architects.
We were extremely pleased
that The Honourable Gene
Zwozdesky, Minister of
Aboriginal Affairs, was able
to join us and that one of our
major donors, the Koziak Family
Foundation, was represented by
Barbara and Julian Koziak.
Guests had an opportunity
to mingle, dine on
sumptuous appetizers, enjoy
pool challenges, and view the
model of our new museum to
be built in the historic Lodge
Hotel on Jasper Avenue.
We would especially like to thank
the donors who supported this
event by providing door prizes;
Mark Ferbey, Myron
Lahola, Yip Lee,
Larissa SembaliukCheladyn, the
Chateau Louis Hotel,
and the Ukrainian Book
Store. We also would
like to acknowledge
our sponsors; Activation
Analysis Group Inc., and
Delnor Construction.
UCAMA Announces Fund Raising Initiative
UCAMA is undertaking an exciting
new fund raising initiative. We are
planning to create a larger donor
recognition mural as an integral part
of the new museum. Each donor
will have their name inscribed on the
mural. While the detailed plans for
the mural are still in the conceptual
stages, we are moving forward with
the personal recognition portion of the
initiative and we would like to give you
a sneak preview of that at this time.
As a first step, we will be developing
a terms of reference asking Ukrainian
artists across Canada to submit
designs for a donor recognition plate
which will be given to each donor in
recognition of his/her contribution.
There will be three categories of
plates based on the level of donation.
The artists will be invited to submit
their designs either as a complete set
of three designs or, if they prefer, for
an individual plate. Each artist may
submit as many designs as he or she
chooses. Artists are encouraged to
submit designs in any media they
chose including glass, ceramic, wood,
or metal.
Although we are still in the initial
planning stages, we are tremendously
excited about this initiative and
welcome questions from our many
patrons and friends. For additional
information, please contact UCAMA
at ucama@shaw.ca or by telephone at
780-424-7580.
3
UCAMA Inaugurates Cultural
Workshop Series
by dr. natalie kononenko
The Ukrainian Canadian Museum and
Archives of Alberta (UCAMA) held a
workshop on korovai decorating on
the centre piece of the celebration
and often both the groom’s family
and the bride’s would bake a korovai
Elsie Kawulych demonstrating the art of korovai decorating
Saturday, July 26. The workshop was
run by Natalie Kononenko, Professor
of Folklore and Kule Chair of Ukrainian
Ethnography at the University of
Alberta and Elsie Kawulych, a master
baker.
Kononenko began the session by
giving a short lecture which placed the
korovai, a traditional wedding bread,
in the context of other Ukrainian ritual
breads. Breads and grain products are
used to articulate the entire human
life, she said. In the past, the midwife
would welcome the newborn by
wiping the infant’s body with a soft
bread crust. The midwife, in turn,
would receive gifts of bread from the
children she delivered on all holidays.
During the wedding, the korovai was
4
for the festivities. In many places,
small breads called shyshky were also
baked and used to invite the wedding
guests. Breads appear at the end
of life and a bread is given away, on
behalf of the deceased, to all those
who help with the funeral. Of all the
ritual breads, the korovai is probably
the most magical and, in Ukraine,
it is used to insure the stability of
the marriage and the well-being of
the couple. In Canada, the korovai
has acquired a new meaning and a
new magical power. It is used to
express Ukrainian identity and to unite
Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians alike in
the celebration of the marriage.
After Kononenko’s lecture, the
audience saw two short videos. One
featured Kawulych baking the korovai
step by step. The other video, filmed
by Yanina Vihovska in Pidhaitsi, a
village near Lutsk, Ukraine, showed a
group of women preparing a number
of korovai breads for a wedding that
took place in May, 2008. After the
videos, Kawulych decorated a korovai
in front of the assembled group with
pre-made decorations. She explained
that paired doves, symbolic of the
couple, need to face each other and
that the doves on the sides of the
korovai need to face upward, looking
toward heaven. The korovai is typically
also decorated with periwinkle, an
evergreen that symbolizes the eternity
of the marriage, and Kawulych showed
the group how to lace the periwinkle
between the doves.
The demonstrations were followed
by a hands-on dove making session.
Kawulych provided the special dough
used for korovai decorations and
workshop participants practiced
making doves, leaves, branches,
and other traditional korovai
decorative motifs under the guidance
of Kawulych and Kononenko.
Participants baked their decorations on
the premises so that they could take
them home. They also got to
Korovai
continued on page 5
U C A M A M AT T E R S – FA L L 2 0 0 8
Digitization of Archival Photographic
Collections
PROJECT MAKES PHOTOS IN UCAMA’s COLLECTION AVAILABLE TO RESEARCHERS
The continued digitization of
UCAMA’s collection received a big
boost this summer with the hiring
of Greg Holloway thanks to a
grant from the Summer Temporary
Employment Program. Over
the course of the summer Greg
created a database and digitized
over 5,000 historic photographs.
Some of these images will
ultimately be used in the creation
of our exhibits in our new Jasper
Avenue facility. They will also be
made available for researchers
from across the country and
around the world.
For a sneak preview of a few of
the images visit UCAMA’s blog at
http://ucama.wordpress.com.
KOROVAI WORKSHOP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
sample the results of Kawulych’s
culinary skills as she shared one of
the korovai breads that she had made
Workshop participants practice their new skills
with them. A number of people also
toured the Museum premises, looking
at traditional costumes and textiles,
religious artifacts, photographs, and
the many other items on display.
The workshop proved extremely
popular. Twenty two people
attended, and there was also
a lengthy waiting list because
only a limited number could be
accommodated on UCAMA's
existing premises Because
of the high demand, a second
workshop was run on September
6. Workshops planned for the future
include embroidery and other textile
crafts, pysanka decorating, doll and
Christmas decoration making and,
of course, more korovai decorating
sessions. Storytelling sessions
for both children and adults are
under consideration. A wonderful
new building for UCAMA is in the
planning stage. We look forward to
this new facility as it will allow bigger
workshops along with improved
display and storage facilities for
museum collections.
5
PETER SHOSTAK PRINTS
AVAILABLE FROM UCAMA
Renowned artist Peter Shostak has donated a number of limited edition reproductions and hand-pulled serigraphs
to UCAMA to assist with fundraising for its new museum building.
UCAMA has 26 different prints available for sale, attractively priced from $75-$400.
These prints make an ideal Christmas present for that hard-to-please person on your list!
Visit our web site at
www.ucama.ca to
view all the available
prints and download
an order form
Or call UCAMA at
(780) 424-750 for
more information
memory
legacy
Purchase one today! Buy a memory for yourself…and invest in the legacy of UCAMA’s new museum.
Buy a
6
...
...invest in a
U C A M A M AT T E R S – FA L L 2 0 0 8
Historic Ukrainian Edmonton:
The Holowach Tree
by dr. frances swyripa
A little known Ukrainian contribution
to the downtown Edmonton cityscape
is “The Holowach Tree,” located in the
alley between 105 and 106 Streets
just south of Jasper Avenue. Here
pictured in full spring flower, the now
magnificent chestnut was planted
around 1920 by pioneer Ukrainian
businessman, Sam Holowach, in the
backyard behind the family business
and home. For many years the
Holowaches operated a dry cleaning
establishment on 105 Street. Son
Ambrose Holowach represented
Edmonton for the Social Credit party
in both the House of Commons and
the Alberta Legislature; in 1962 he
became the first cabinet minister of
Ukrainian origin in Alberta.
In 1998 the chestnut tree was
preserved inside a wrought iron
fence, acknowledged with a plaque,
and provided with a bench for the
pleasure of strollers, office workers on
their lunch break, and Edmonton tree
lovers.
Membership Application Form
Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________Postal Code ________________________________
Day Phone # _________________________Evening Phone # ________________________Email______________________________________
I would like to pay my one year membership fee: individual - $10 / family - $25 by…
Cheque ____ (please make cheque payable to UCAMA)
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Cardholder Name ____________________________________________________________Cardholder Signature________________________
Card Number ________________________________________________________________Expiry Date________________________________
Please Note: Membership is valid for one full year from 1 April – 30 March. Only members are eligible to vote at the UCAMA Annual General Meeting.
Thank you for your support of the Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum Of Alberta!
Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum of Alberta, 9543-110 Avenue, T5H 1H3, P: 780.424.7580, F: 780.420.0562, E: ucama@shaw.ca
W: www.ucama.com, Hours of Operation: Tues-Fri, 10 am 5pm, Sat, 12 noon-5 pm, Sun-Mon & Statutory Holidays, Closed
7
Donations to the Collections
Many thanks to our recent donors who include:
Dr. Peter and Mrs. Olga Savaryn
Book
Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Terry Conway
Ethnographic items
Ms. Irene Schubyn
Archival material
Mr. Peter Duby
Phonograph records
Mr. Wasyl’ Semenec
Archival material
Ms. Ann Leclerc
Ethnographic items
Mr. Laurie Semotiuk
Photographs
Mrs. Olga Holowach-Klink
Ethnographic items
Mr. Mykola Shewchuk
Books
Mrs. Elsie Kawulych
Books
Mr. John Sokolowski
Books
Mrs. Zenovia Rockwell
Ethnographic items
Mr. Bill Tracy
Archival material
Professor Jaroslav Rozumnyj
Books
Mr. Gunther Ruppel
Books
Ukrainian Resource & Development Centre
Grant MacEwan College
Photographs
St. Michael’s Extended Care
Archival papers, artwork, ethnographic items
It is through the generosity of these and other donors that
our collections continue to grow.
FOR MUSEUM AND
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Contact UCAMA
at 424-7580 or ucama@shaw.ca
To Donate
Yes! I want to be a part of preserving the past… into the future.
I would like to contribute (check box):
$1,000 +
$500
$150
$75
$25
Other $ ____
Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________Postal Code ________________________________
Day Phone # _________________________Evening Phone # ________________________Email______________________________________
Tax Receipt Required: Yes
Payment Options (check one):
No
(Receipts mailed as each donation is processed.)
Cheque (payable to UCAMA)
Cash (in person only)
VISA*
MasterCard*
Cardholder Name ____________________________________________________________Cardholder Signature________________________
Card Number ________________________________________________________________Expiry Date________________________________
There are four easy ways to send us your pledge:
Mail: 9543–110 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 1H3
Phone: 780-424-7580 Fax: 780-420-0562
Thank you for your generous support.
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UCAMA is a registered charity (#13246 5568 RR 0001)
Email: ucama@shaw.ca