BANFF, Alberta – More than 60 student delegates and alumni gathered for the annual national congress of the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK) that was held on May 3-6 at the Banff Center in Banff, Alberta.
This year’s theme, “Rediscovering the Past,” focused on human rights and the internment operations of the first world war. The four-day event was dedicated to encouraging and challenging student leaders to come together, discuss and deliberate relevant questions and issues, and spearhead the future of youth leadership and involvement in Canada.
The congress was sponsored by the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation, and featured guests from other communities affected by the internment operations of World War I, including members of the Armenian and Bulgarian communities.
“Immediately upon commencing the SUSK Congress, I was struck by the professionalism, organization and dedication of the Ukrainian Canadian students,” said Nicole Minkova, a Bulgarian Canadian student. “To see so many young leaders keenly interested in the history of internment in Canada was humbling. The commitment to maintaining culture and heritage was also truly inspiring, and I am thrilled to have been a part of it.”
Presentations focused on the domestic experience in Canada during the first world war, the redress campaign, as well as recent research and testimonies. Delegates visited the Castle Mountain Internment Site, and Cave and Basin, led by Dr. Bohdan Kordan, as well as a panel discussion featuring artists who examined how understanding and recognition of historic injustices are aided through the arts.
Delegates were welcomed to the Banff Center by its vice-president, Michael Code, who said that the center strives to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contribution to society. SUSK presentations followed with reports by the executive members and annual re-cap of activities by each Ukrainian student organization (USO).
Awards were presented to: the Ukrainian Student Club of Barrie (Best New and Up-and-Coming USO), Western Ukrainian Student’s Club (Best Story) and the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Association (Best Event).
More than 120 guests, including SUSK alumni and representatives from the Ukrainian community, attended the congress banquet and dance (zabava) on Saturday evening. The evening’s keynote speaker was Mark O’Neill of the Canadian History Museum and the Canadian War Museum, who reported about current and future initiatives to commemorate the internment operations of the first world war.
The new SUSK executive board includes: Stephanie Nedoshytko (president, re-elected); Mattay Dubczak (vice-president national); Roman Grod (vice-president finance); Devon Goldie (vice-president west); Maxym Dubczak (vice-president east); Natalia Blysniuk (secretary); Raya Dzulynsky (external relations director); Andriy Katyukha (internal relations director); Nykole Dovgyy (project director); and Cassain Soltykoveych (immediate past president).
The congress urged individual USOs to commemorate the following anniversaries this year: 65th anniversary of SUSK; 50th anniversary of the national publication Student; 85th anniversary of the Holodomor; and the 100th anniversary of the founding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada.
The congress resolved to expand its online archive of Student, which was completed in 2014 by the National Executive of SUSK. Paper copies and artifacts were to be preserved, and copies of missing issues continue to be sought for digitization.
SUSK also underscored its relationship with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress as a means to advocate for issues relevant to Ukrainian Canadian students, as well as SUSK’s relationship with student organizations in Ukraine and the diaspora to engage Ukrainian youth and students.
Other collaborative efforts were proposed with community organizations, youth and cultural groups, universities and technical institutes in Canada, as well as ethno-cultural communities across Canada to promote SUSK and its activities. SUSK also urged its member organizations to take action in raising awareness about the internment operations of the first world war.
Other major sponsors for the SUSK congress included the Buduchnist Credit Union, the Shevchenko Foundation, the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Calgary, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited, Rodan Energy Solutions, Cholkan Stepczuk Chartered Accountants Business Advisors, Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council and Edmonton Branch, League of Ukrainian Canadians – Edmonton Branch and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress –Calgary Branch.
Founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1953, SUSK fell inactive in 2001, and since 2007 has been reinvigorated to advocate concerns relevant to Ukrainian Canadian students. SUSK serves as a national forum in which these concerns are discussed and acted upon. It is the coordinating body for Ukrainian students’ organizations throughout Canada.
More information can be obtained by visiting the SUSK website, www.susk.ca, or by contacting the organization’s president, Ms. Nedoshytko, president@susk.ca or 780-616-4652.