UKRAINIAN STUDIES SOCIETY   -----  VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Ukrainian Studies Society (USS) was incorporated and registered as a not-for-profit organization in 1987.

MISSION/GOALS

Our mission is:

• To promote Ukrainian educational, cultural and religious studies.
• To establish scholarships for students of Ukrainian studies.
• To assure the continuation of Ukrainian cultural, artistic, educational and religious contributions to the culture of Canada.
• To assist in fundraising toward providing for Ukrainian studies.
• To foster responsible leadership within the Ukrainian cultural community and to encourage the pursuit of knowledge.
• To develop interest in Ukrainian historical continuity.
• To cooperate with other Ukrainian organizations whose goals correspond to those of the Society.

ACTIVITIES and PROGRAMS

Since the inception of the Ukrainian Studies Society in Victoria we have participated and/or provided support to many activities and programs. Some of the major accomplishments are listed below.

• Endowment at Lester B. Pearson College: In 1994 the Society initiated a national fundraising campaign to establish an endowment at Pearson College of the Pacific. This scholarship provides qualified students from Ukraine the opportunity to complete a two year baccalaureate program at the college. The goal of $150,000 was successfully reached in 2000. To date 17 students have completed this program, and the majority subsequently have obtained scholarships to continue their undergraduate and graduate level degrees. The Society provides the students monthly stipends to meet personal expenses and Society members have served as host families for the students.

• Endowment at The University of Victoria: In 2005 the Society, in partnership with the Victoria branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Business Professional Association (UCBPA), initiated fundraising for an accredited Ukrainian studies course at the University of Victoria. The initial goal of $100,000. Although the UCBPA ceased operations in 2011 the Society was able to reach this goal in 2012. Through the Society’s influence the endowment is named “The Ukrainian Studies Endowment Fund”. Subsequently, the Society committed to continue fundraising to an increased target of $150,000, which was reached in 2017. Annual courses in modern Ukraine are provided in the recently renamed Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies previously known as the Department of Germanic and Russian studies. From 2009- 2014 the Society provided supplemental funding ($20,000) for an annual Ukrainian language course, a scholarship to a student in the Ukrainian Studies course and guest speakers. 

• Scholarships and Bursaries: Since inception the Society has awarded over $75,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students involved in post-secondary Ukrainian studies;  participating in Ukrainian cultural activities such as Ukrainian dance; attending national conferences of the Ukrainian Canadian Student Union and the triannual Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Also provided financial support for tuition of an Ukrainian immigrant enrolled at the University of Victoria, and  to one student invited to deliver a paper at a symposium at the University of Chernivtsi in Ukraine.

• Community and Cultural Support:

The Society promotes and supports Ukrainian culture through a number of events and activities:

• Ongoing bi-annual “Ukrainian Christmas Traditions” event for the general public, functioning as a fundraiser, to celebrate and inform the community regarding Ukrainian traditions. The event features a 12 course Ukrainian Christmas dinner, carolling and a nativity pageant. This remains one of the Society’s most popular events for the general public.
• Co-sponsor and participant in the annual Taras Shevchenko concert and national Holodomor Awareness Day commemorations.
• In 2017 the Society participated in the highly successful 125^th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada event at the Royal BC Museum.
• Organizing and supporting several public presentations on Ukrainian embroidery and folk costumes.
• Organiser, sponsor, co-sponsor of a number of other events including, Millennium of Christianity gala concert at the University of Victoria, Ukrainian Heritage Day, Forum on Eastern Christianity, carol singing festival, interdenominational concert of Eastern Christian music concert, music recitals – most notably by bandurist Julian Kytasty of international fame.
• Coordinated and sponsored several new and informative film viewings – Bitter Harvest and the documentary about the Canadian doctors’ missions to Ukraine providing medical aid to victims of the ongoing war in Eastern Ukraine.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Ukrainian Studies Society is open to any person who demonstrates an interest in the mission and goals of the Society. Currently the membership consists of a cross section of Canadians  both Ukrainian & non-Ukrainian, including new immigrants. Membership is governed by the Society’s Constitution.