Discovering Our Roots: A History of Ukrainian Dance in Saskatchewan

Please take a look at my letter of support from Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatoon Branch!

Please take a look at my letter of support" from Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council!

Sneak Peek: Professor Josef Oleskow Dr. Josef Oleskow was a Professor of Agriculture at the University of Lviv, Ukraine. He was very concerned with the plight of many of his fellow countrymen who had emigrated to other lands, such as Brazil and other South American countries. This was because many Ukrainian peasants had listened to the advice of dishonest steamship agents who told the them about opportunities in Brazil and South America which were false (Pidruchney, 1977, p. ...Continue reading

My name is Kiegan Lloyd, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at Luther College at the University of Regina pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours in History and a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature. My current research project is a monograph entitled, "Discovering our Roots: The History of Ukrainian Dancing in Saskatchewan" which is a community-based research project. I am interested in researching into the role that dance played in helping shape and defi...ne the cultural identity of Ukrainian communities in the province. My research focuses not only on the history of Ukrainian dance in Saskatchewan, but also on the experiences of Ukrainian dancers, instructors, administrators and adjudicators in the province. Hoping to contribute to a better understanding of the history and cultural impact of Ukrainian dancing in Saskatchewan, and consider how this performing art form has influenced and contributed to Saskatchewan society by promoting culture, heritage, and multiculturalism. Since the early twentieth century, Ukrainian dance in Saskatchewan has been used as a tool to foster a sense of Canadian-Ukrainian identity. When Ukrainian peasants immigrated to Western Canada, they brought with them not only their material possessions but also their aesthetic and cultural values including dance. Around 1905 one of the first regions in Saskatchewan to be populated by Ukrainian settlers was the Swan Lake area and by the 1920s it was densely populated with practically every available homestead claimed by Ukrainian immigrants. Over the years as the political atmosphere changed in the province, so did the Ukrainian communities. Communities like Swan Lake, Yorkton, Saskatoon, Ituna, Regina, Swift Current, Prince Albert and North Battelford began transforming their Ukrainian Canadian communities into exciting and rich Ukrainian dance communities developing multiple dance schools, putting on concerts, performances and competitions that continue to this day. Ukrainian dance has always received positive response from the public. It is known for its flamboyant tricks and kicks, vibrant colours and patterns, costumes and entertaining dances. While there is a large interest in Ukrainian dance in Saskatchewan there is little research into this dance form by academics and scholars. My research project helps fill in this research gap. I hope that you are interested in donating to my research project or have further questions, comments, or concerns please contact me through Facebook messenger! :)