Background
Yuzyk, Paul was born on June 24, 1913 in Pinto, Saskatchewan, Canada. Son of Martin and Katherine (Chaban) Yuzyk.
historian politician Member of the Senate of Canada
Yuzyk, Paul was born on June 24, 1913 in Pinto, Saskatchewan, Canada. Son of Martin and Katherine (Chaban) Yuzyk.
Bachelor of Arts Math and Physics, U. Saskatchewan, Canada, 1945; Bachelor of Arts with honors in History, U. Saskatchewan, Canada, 1947; Master of Arts in History, U. Saskatchewan, Canada, 1948; Doctor of Laws, University Saskatchewan, Canada, 1977; Doctor of Philosophy in History, University of Minnesota, 1958; Doctor of Philosophy in History, Ukrainian Free U., Munich, Federal Republic Germany, 1982.
He was an associate professor of Slavic studies and professor of history at the University of Manitoba and a professor of Russian and Soviet history at the University of Ottawa. He was the author of several books including, For a Better Canada, The Ukrainians in Manitoba: A Social History, and Ukrainian Canadians: Their Place and Role in Canadian Life. Yuzyk is remembered for being an early advocate of the concept of multiculturalism, which he first broached in a senate speech on March 3, 1963.
In the speech he criticized the Lester Pearson government for consecrating "Biculturalism" in the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, which Yuzyk said ignored the reality that Canada was in fact a "multicultural" society. The Paul Yuzyk Award commemorates late Senator Yuzyk’s "pioneering legacy establishing multiculturalism as one of the fundamental characteristics of Canadian identity."
Candidates for the award must be nominated. The award recipient receives a certificate of honour and is asked to choose an eligible, non-profit organization to receive a $20,000 grant.
Treasurer Ukrainian Canada Committee, Winnipeg, 1952-1955. Vice president Ukrainian Canada Foundation Taras Shevchenko, Winnipeg, 1964-1986. President Ukrainian Cultural and Ednl.
Center, Winnipeg, 1955-1971, Higher Education Scholar. Foundation, Toronto, 1966-1971. Board directors Canada Centenary Council, Ottawa, 1965-1967, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, 1962-1968, Canada Council of Christians and Jews, 1963-1986.
Canada Human Rights Foundation, 1971-1986, Canada Scholar. Trust Foundation, 1971-1986, also numerous others Member Ukrainian Free Academy Sciences, Canada Association Slavists (founder, secretary, treasurer 1954-1956), Ukrainian National Association (Vice-President 1970-1986 ), Canada North Atlantic Treaty Organization Association, International Helsinki Association.
Married Mary Bahniuk, July 12, 1941: children— Evangeline Paulette Duravetz, Victoria Irene Karpiak, Vera Catherine, Theodore Ronald.