UKRAINIAN NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CANADA CONCLUDES 37TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
November 29, 2012 – Edmonton, Alberta – On November 11th 2012, The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada concluded it’s 37th National Convention at an historic 3 day conference and 80th anniversary banquet in the city of Edmonton Alberta. Returning to the city of its birth to hold the convention and celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the UNF of Canada, the theme of the Convention was “Challenge the Future”. Members from the organization’s 4 Affiliate Groupings and 15 Branches across Canada met to discuss the changing needs of the Ukrainian Canadian Community and to develop a road map to the future of organizational life within the Ukrainian-Canadian Context.
The convention activities began on Thursday November 8, 2012, when several national and local representatives of the UNF and its Affiliated Organizations were guests in the gallery of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon. Gene Zwozdesky, and were warmly greeted by the Speaker and the House after being introduced by Janet Sarich, MLA for Edmonton-Decore, who also spoke in the legislature about the storied history and contribution of the UNF to Canada.
Panel discussions featuring guest speakers Dr. Andrij Nahachewskyj, Director of KULE Folklore Centre at the University of Alberta and Dr. Roman Petryshyn, Director URDC at Grant MacEwan University & Mr. Taras Pidzamecky, Past President of the UNF Of Canada engaged the convention delegates in dialogue on the topics of “Ideas about Ukrainian Culture, Canada vs. Brazil” and “Relations With Ukraine”, respectively.
Further perspective was gained on the issue of Ukrainian Canadian – Ukrainian relations with a luncheon talk by former Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Mr. Derek Fraser who shared his perspectives on how Ukrainian Canadians should work with Ukraine.
Delegate Committees met during the course of the convention to determine Resolutions, Organizational Mission Statement, Budgets and Financial Plan and to elect a new Executive and Board of Directors.
The 37th National Convention culminated with an 80th Anniversary Banquet featuring entertainment from groups who were initiated by the UNF of Canada, including The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company, and Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton. Banquet guests were also enlightened by guest speaker, Mr. James Temerty, CM who spoke on the theme of sustainability of Ukrainian Canadian Organizations, and the ways in which we must work towards self sufficient and effective succession within the Ukrainian-Canadian organizational structures.
The delegates of the convention elected the 2012-2015 UNF of Canada Executive and Board of Directors, which comprises the youngest compilation of executive and board members in recent history with 4 of the newly elected members being under the age of 35. The delegates also approved 19 Resolutions, setting the course of action and activity for the organization over the next 3 years. Newly elected president Ihor Bardyn greeted the delegates and guest with warm regards and his vision for the future growth of the organizations Youth Leadership Development Program centered around the UNF’s Senator Paul Yuzyk Institute as the cornerstone for the organization’s plan to “Challenge the Future”…
