September 7, 2020, Ukrainian Communities across Alberta are celebrating Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day in Alberta!
On September 7, 1891, two adventurers from present-day Western Ukraine disembarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia onto Canadian soil, which set off the officially recorded presence of people of Ukrainian descent in Canada. They were looking for a better life that was being advertised by pro-Canadian interests throughout Europe.
Today we celebrate 129 years of Ukrainian settlement in Alberta! What an achievement! Ukrainians have called Canada home – and have brought knowledge, expertise, experiences to so many levels of the cultural, political, social and economic life of our country.
Edmonton celebrated Ukrainian-Canadian Heritage Day in Alberta with the auto-rally and the raising of the Ukrainian flag. Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, Hon. Leela Sharon Aheer brought greetings from the Government of Alberta. Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, Oleksandr Danyleiko welcomed the visitors with a special “pryvit” from Ukraine. Our UCC-APC President Orysia Boychuk thanked the community for sharing the celebration today. MLA for Fort-Saskatchewan and Vegreville, Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk shared her personal family story of what that meant to be raised in the Ukrainian family.
You can see more photos and a video of the ceremony on our Facebook page.
“Ukrainian-Albertans have contributed immensely to the Province of Alberta, initially through agriculture, forestry, railways and mining and subsequently to Alberta’s government, civil society, industry, economic advancement and prosperity.” – the Act reads.
On behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Calgary Branch and our community, UCC- Calgary thanks Honourable Minister Jason Coppingg for his powerful remarks and the Alberta Government and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC) for organizing the Flag Raising Ceremony today in Calgary. Check out more photos here.
