Ukrainians in Canada

      The League of Ukrainian Canadians yesterday awarded Senator Raynell Andreychuk with the Mikhnovsky Medal of Merit, for her contribution towards a universal recognition of the Ukrainian Holodomor of 1932-1933 as an act of genocide by famine.

      “I am humbled by this acknowledgement,” said Senator Andreychuk, who was also made an Honourary Member of the League of Ukrainian Canadians. “As we prepare to commemorate the 7th Holodomor Memorial Day this Saturday, I am proud that the Ukrainian Canadian community has helped raise awareness about the Holodomor amongst all Canadians.” 

      The award was presented at a small ceremony on Parliament Hill. It was attended by Orest Steciw, President, and Borys Mykhaylets, Vice-President of the League of Ukrainian Canadians.

      “Senator Andreychuk has been instrumental in initiating the process of Holodomor recognition on Parliament Hill, and we are eternally grateful to her for this,” said Steciw.

      Senator Andreychuk introduced the resolution on Holodomor Ukraine Famine/Genocide in the Senate, which was adopted on June 19, 2003. She also sponsored Bill C-459, An Act to establish a Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (“Holodomor”) Memorial Day and to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide, which received Royal Assent in May 2008.

      The Mikhnovsky Medal of Merit is awarded to individuals for their enduring and outstanding service to community and humanitarian causes. It was created by the League of Ukrainian Canadians and the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women in honour of a renowned Ukrainian political leader, jurist and publicist Mykola Mikhnovsky (1873-1924), whose pivotal treatise, “Independent Ukraine,” earned his place in history as the father of the modern Ukrainian liberation movement.