The Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has named the recipients of its 16th annual Nation Builders and Community Recognition Awards.
Of the 10 award recipients, one is from North Battleford, two are from Krydor and one is from Hafford.
Originally from Hafford, but currently living in North Battleford, Yaroslaw (Yars) W. Lozowchuk is one of four recipients of a Nation Builders award, presented to those who have made "meritorious contributions, which have had a significant impact; left a legacy; and/or provided an exemplary role model to the Ukrainian community and/or Saskatchewan/Canada."
Born as the younger of two children on a family farm near Hafford in 1944, Lozowchuk went to the University of Saskatchewan after graduating from Grade 12, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Sociology and Slavic Studies. He later earned a Master of Arts in Sociology from York University in Toronto.
After finishing his university studies, Lozowchuk worked as the director of Field Operations for the National Mincome Project, a project concerned with the effects of establishing a guaranteed minimum income, worked as the executive director of Celebrate Saskatchewan and was the director of Public Affairs Research with SaskPower. Lozowchuk also worked as the executive director of the Saskatchewan Choral Federation for 21 years until his retirement in 2007. During his time there, he expanded the choral library, making it one of the most significant in Canada. Though retired from his position with the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, he continues to work in the choral community by hosting Muzyka Ukraine on CJRT community radio.
Lozowchuk has also been extremely active in the Ukrainian community, working for a variety of cultural organizations and churches. He was instrumental, for example, in establishing an outreach program for inner city elementary grade school children through the Thompson School Lunch Program. Though Lozowchuk is being recognized now for his cultural contributions, he has already been recognized by the lieutenant-governor for his contributions to the Saskatchewan arts community.
Six others received Community Recognition Awards, which are presented to individuals who have made contributions to youth achievement, leadership, volunteerism, cultural preservation and development and/or creativity and innovation.
These included Paul Harach of Krydor, who was given an award for creativity and cultural preservation, Peter Saganski of Krydor, receiving an award for innovation and leadership, and Stanley Michael Klopoushak of Hafford, receiving an award for leadership and volunteerism.
Harch, born in 1920, was an eighth child whose community development began at age twelve when his father purchased him membership in the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. His many years of service to the organization saw him awarded with a lifetime membership. Active with local schools, community organizations, and the church organization, Harach is also an accomplished musician. In addition to the alto, bass, and tenor saxophones, he has taught himself guitar, banjo, clarinet, keyboard and accordion. In addition to having a 70-year musical career, Harach has also played with the same band, the Hamp Brothers Band, since 1965.
Saganski, born in 1927 in Krydor, passed away in 1991 in Regina. He is recognized for his commitment to church, working for Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon, the St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church and his commitment to the Knights of Columbus. For 40 years, Saganski was actively involved in the Knights of Columbus, and was the first ever member of Ukrainian heritage to become a state deputy.
Saganski was also actively involved in multiculturalism in Saskatchewan, serving as a board member and executive member of the Regina Multicultural Council, participating in the provincial government's task force on multiculturalism and serving as a board director and member of the communications committee of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan. He was recognized for his participation in the development of Canada's first Multicultural Act.
Klopoushak, born in 1920 as the fifth of 11 children. Serving in the Second World War, he was part of a group of soldiers who were the subjects of tests on the effects of warfare mustard gas. When he returned from the war, he earned Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Alberta.
After earning his degrees, he taught in predominantly Ukrainian communities, serving as vice-principal and principal in Dundurn and Hanley, and teaching in Saskatoon for 17 years.
Klopoushak was also active in the Ukrainian community, serving as president of Kameniari, organizing Ukrainian schools, serving as a Canadian Ukrainian Youth Association organizer and developing and leading summer programs for youth. Klopoushak was also active in the Scouting movement for about 25 years.
