ANNUAL UCC-APC MICHAEL LUCHKOVICH AWARD

Michael LUCHKOVICH was born in 1982 in Shamokin, where he received his first 10 years of education before moving to Winnipeg. His father emigrated from Ukraine in 1887 to Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he was a miner and later a hotel-keeper. Mr. Luchkovich obtained a degree in political science from the University of Calgary and a teachers certificate from Calgary Normal School. He taught in Alberta for a number of years and became an active member of the United Farmers of Alberta. In 1936 Luchkovich defeated the liberal candidate, Joseph McCallum, and become one of the youngest MPs in Ottawa and the first MP of Ukrainian origin. As the first Ukrainian MP, Luchkovich represented more than just the people of his riding, but also became the spokesman for the 200,000 Ukrainians living in Canada. One speech that made a huge impact was delivered in 1929, when he reacted strongly to the statements made by Bishop Lloyd who referred to Ukrainians as “dirty, ignorant, non-preferred, garlic-smelling, continentals.” As well as a teacher and politician, Luchkovich was also a writer and translator. In 1931 he attended the International Inter-Parliamentary Union Congress in Romania as the delegate for the British Empire.
Michael Luchkovich died on April 21, 1973, at the age of 80.

Since 1986, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council has honoured individuals who have previously been elected officials with the Michael Luchkovich Award for their significant contribution and dedication to the betterment of all Canadians. The award is presented annually by the UCC-APC President during the Ukrainian Day Festival at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in Alberta

2011 - Allen Sulatycky
The Honorable Mr. Justice Allen Sulatycky, son of Dmytro and Polly (nee Bodnarchuk), was born on June 13, 1938 in Hafford, Saskatchewan. He was married on February 17, 1962 to Marylin Perkins and together they had four children Warren, Robert, Annemarie and Donald. Allen attended Hafford elementary and high schools as well as the University of Saskatchewan for a B.A. 1962 and LL.B. in 1962. Allen tried his hand at politics during the Jasper-Edson Bye-Election in November 1967 but was unsuccessful. On June 25, 1968 Allen tried again and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Rocky Mountain. During his time in Parliament, Allen was a Member of many Parliamentary Committees including but not limited to: Standing Committee on Agriculture, Special Committee on Environmental Pollution, and Special Committee on Official Languages. Allen was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Hon. J.J. Greene, Minister of Energy Mines and Resources, in 1971, and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, in 1972. Allen also served as director of the Canadian Branch for the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1971 as well as a Member Canadian Delegation for the 16th and 17th North Atlantic Assemblies (NATO).
Allen's political career ended in 1972 when he was defeated by Rt. Hon. Joe Clark in a general election. After politics, Allen returned to his legal work. Between 1982 and 2000 he was appointed to Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, the Court of Appeal of Alberta the Court of Appeal for the Northwest Territories, the Court of Appeal of Nunavut and as Associate Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in 2000. Allen also served on the Canadian Judicial Council. In December 2004 Allen retired as Associate Chief Justice and was elected to sit as a Supernumerary Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and of the Nunavut Court of Justice. Oneof Allen's most significant projects involving the Ukrainian-Canadian community is the establishment of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. In 1972, Allen was approached by the new UCHV Society to help get a Federal government grant to begin development of a depiction of a pioneer Ukrainian settlement in Alberta. He succeeded in arranging a grant of $276,000 from the Local Initiatives Program and further grants in 1973 and 1974. With these funds the society relocated and refurbished many of the buildings. In 1975, Allen convinced the Directors of the society that the Government of Alberta was key to the village's survival. They authorized him to negotiate with the government and a three-way agreement involving all parties was reached under which the government acquired the property. 

2010 - Harvey Cenaiko
2009 - Paul Yewchuk
2008 - Peter Trynchy
2007 - Al Zawirny
2006 - Mark Hlady
2005 - Dave Broda
2004 - Dianne Nielsen (Mirosh)
2003 - Kenneth Paproski
2002 - William Yurko
2001 - Martha Bielish
2000 - Steve Zarusky
1999 - Alexander Kindy
1998 - Walter Buck
1997 - George Topolinsky
1996 - Laurence Decore
1995 - Julian Koziak
1994 - Catherine Chichak
1993 - Bill Diachuk
1992 - William Lesick
1991 - John Batiuk
1990 - Albert Hohol
1989 - Isidore Goresky
1988 - Ambrose Holowach
1987 - John Decore, Sr.
1986 - Michael Starr

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