There were several reasons for creating this project such as promotion of the English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program (EUBP) and providing important information in Ukrainian to families where English is not the primary language spoken. We felt that in creating these posters we would be celebrating the language and culture of our students and families and reach out to the entire Ukrainian community. 

It is our hope that we can increase the involvement and comfort with the language and culture for all. Our goal in creating the posters is to create a sense of pride and belonging, feeling that we truly are in this together.

To further support the sense of creating community MPUE will be making the posters available for free download.

Clean Hands Stop Germs

Wear Your Mask

Practice Social Distancing

Those engaged in this project have a deep connection to the EUBP. See below individuals who have contributed to the success of these posters:

Coordinating Team:

Project Co-Coordinator – Barb Thiessen, MPUE Board of Advisors

Graphic Design – Nick Luchak,  EUBP Alumna 

Narrative Development – MPUE board member volunteer

Translator – Liudmyla Zinovieva 

MPUE is grateful to the following organizations, as the posters were completed with funding provided in part by: 

The Wasyl Topolnicky Memorial Foundation 

The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

The Osvita Foundation

Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors for the 2020 EUBP Grad Parade!

Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education (MPUE) took on a great endeavour in June.  Due to the restrictions from COVID 19 MPUE could not move forward with the usual method of acknowledging the English Ukrainian Bilingual Graduates.  MPUE did not want this special occasion to go unnoticed.  So the idea of a Grad Parade was suggested.  As a volunteer organization, the board knew that this project could not be undertaken without the support from volunteers.  The following list of individuals eagerly wanted to make the Grad Parade an unforgettable experience for the Graduates and their families.

Coordinating Team:

Grad Parade Co-Coordinator – Paulette Monita, President, MPUE and EUBP Alumna

Grad Parade Co-Coordinator – Barb Thiessen, Vice President, MPUE and EUBP Alumna 

MPUE Summer Student – Tyler Buternowsky, Ralph Brown School EUBP Alumna 

Candy Bouquet and Package Prep Team: 

Pat Bugera Krawchuk – Recording Secretary, MPUE

Barb Thiessen 

Paulette Monita  

Tyler Buternowsky

Michael Monita – EUBP Parent

Rebecca Monita – EUBP Student

Lisa Maximiuk – MPUE Board Member 

Sanchira Maximiuk  – EUBP Student

Stu Baron – MPUE board member

Taylor Baron – EUBP Student 

Landon Baron  – EUBP Student

Trinity Baron  – EUBP Student

Linkin Baron – Future EUBP Student

Oakbank Parade Crew (June 16, 2020):  Landon Drul – EUBP Student and Graduate, Lesia Drul, MPUE Board Member – Oakbank Representative, Tyler Buternowsky, Barb Thiessen, Paulette Monita

River East Transcona Parade Crew (June 18, 2020): Nataliya Sovinska – EUBP Teacher, Marianna Cap –  EUBP Teacher, Lisa Maximiuk – MPUE Board Member – River East Representative, Judy Burak – MPUE Board Member – Transcona Representative, Barb Thiessen, Paulette Monita, Tyler Buternowsky and Volodymyr Sovinskyy.

Smith-Jackson and Mackenzie Middle School Parade Crew (June 20, 2020): Rhonna Rodriguez – Teacher, Jennifer Chetyrbok – EUBP Teacher, Irene Yarema-Whitwell – Retired EUBP Teacher, Shelley Tucker – Principal Smith Jackson School, Paulette Monita, Barb Thiessen, Lana Thiessen – EUBP Graduate, Rebecca Monita.

Shkola R.F. Morrison and H.C. Avery Middle School Parade Crew (June 22, 2020):  Owen Debets – EUBP Student, Tyler Buternowsky, Maya Krawchuk – EUBP Student and Graduate, Paulette Monita, Rebecca Monita, Lana Thiessen, Karlie Debets – EUBP Parent, Pat Bugera-Krawchuk, Michael Ilyniak – EUBP teacher, Kristya Matwichyna – EUBP Teacher, Taras Melnychuk – EUBP Teacher, Kelly Melnychuk, Adam Hildebrandt – Principal H.C. Avery School, Michael Monita, Daniel Monita – EUBP Student and Graduate.

East Selkirk Middle School Parade Crew (June 23, 2020): Tyler Buternowsky, Annette Stasiuk – MPUE Board Member East Selkirk Representative, Nadia Gorbay – EUBP Teacher, Paulette Monita, Michael Monita.

Corporate Donors:

Jim Gauthier Chevrolet – Donated use of a 2020 Chevy Blazer

SignFX – Donation of colorful decals on the Vehicle

Thank you to Clint Remarchuk– MPUE Board member for making these arrangements

GRAD PARADE PHOTO GALLERY LINKS:

Oakbank Grad Photos | River East Transcona Grad Photos | Dauphin Grad Photos |

Seven Oaks Grad Photos | East Selkirk Grad Photos

The parade visited about 100 families from the areas of Dauphin, Winnipeg, East Selkirk and Oakbank and area.  On behalf of these families, MPUE would like to shout out a huge Thank you to all of the individuals listed above.  Your time and commitment to this province-wide Graduate Recognition Parade is hugely appreciated.

“Language, Culture, Community – 40 Years of Manitoba’s Ukrainian Bilingual Program”. This project was initiated in celebration of the 40th year of the English-Ukrainian Bilingual Program in Manitoba. The documentary delves into the educational benefits of language learning, the importance of community and creation of global citizens, founders of the EUBP and right to language, multigenerational appeal of the program and Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education and the Osvita Foundation’s continued support the EUBP.

In 2014, as recognition and celebration of 200 years since Shevchenko’s birth, MPUE engaged 5 Artists to lead an art project that would span all grade levels throughout the 12 English Ukrainian Bilingual Program (EUBP) schools in Manitoba. Students worked under the guidance of the commissioned artists to collaborate and create a child’s interpretation of Taras Shevchenko’s significant contributions to Ukrainian cultural identity. The children were asked to base their images on the 3 different themes:

• Kindergarten to Grade 2/3 – Taras Shevchenko’s Birthplace
• Grade 3 to 5/6 – An Illustration Based on Taras Shevchenko’s Writings
• Grade 6 to 8/9 – What Taras Shevchenko Stood For

The artist worked with the individual schools, students and teachers and expressed the work in the fabric based medium of their choice. It is our hope that this opportunity for artistic expression by the children has reinforced their understanding of Taras Shevchenko as an important influence on Ukrainian culture.