Former Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Genia Leskiw has been honoured for her commitment to her Ukrainian roots.
During Ukrainian Day on Sunday, Aug. 13, Leskiw was awarded the 2017 Michael Luchkovich Award.
The honour is given to retired MLAs of Ukrainian descent and named after Michael Luchkovich, the first Ukrainian to become a Member of Parliament in Canada.
“It's an honour because it's given to me on behalf of the Ukrainian community,” Leskiw told the Nouvelle.
Her only regret, was that her parents, who were immigrants of Canada from the Ukraine, weren't able to see her accept the award.
“My father used to say ‘to be a good Ukrainian, first, you must be a good Canadian,' and that one is part of the other. This is recognition from people, not only the Ukrainian community, but the community where you live,” she expressed. “I thought of my parents, and that was truly touching.”
As a first-generation Canadian, Leskiw held tightly to her Ukrainian roots.
“It's important that we show that immigrants can make a difference in the betterment of our community, regardless of where we live,” she said.
What set her apart from the other nominees was her endless support for the Ukrainian culture in both her own backyard and on a national scale.
After moving to Bonnyville, Leskiw became actively involved with the Ukrainian community.
She helped run Kiev's K-Hi Ukrainian Youth Camp for 25-years, and sat on a number of executive positions within her church.
In 2008, Leskiw was the first woman and Ukrainian-Canadian elected for the position of MLA for the Bonnyville-Cold Lake area.
“I am very proud of my Ukrainian heritage, but also very proud of representing Bonnyville-Cold Lake and the opportunities this community has given me, not only to serve the general public, but also, to promote the Ukrainian culture within our area,” expressed Leskiw.
Over the years, Leskiw's roles varied from her position as the deputy chair on the premier's council on the Status of Person's with Disabilities, to serving as a member of the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee, and the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services.
For 12-years, she served as a member of the Advisory Council of Alberta-Ukraine Relations, spending her final three-years with the council as chair.
“I think I was very active when I was in government,” Leskiw said.
It was because of her continuous activity and involvement in the community that she was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal.
When she heard of her nomination, Leskiw perused the list of nominees.
“When I looked at the list, I though that there were so many other worthy individuals,” Leskiw said.
She continued, “It's a small group. When you look at it, even for myself, I am one of 99 women to be elected in the province, and out of those 99, I believe there are two of us that are of Ukrainian heritage descent.”
Receiving the award was “humbling” for Leskiw.
“It's a great achievement that in Canada we can maintain our ethnic identity, but still be active in the Canadian community.”
