Savelia Curniski

Savelia Curniski (1949-____ )

The following biography of Savelia Curniski includes a copy of a recent interview. This statement expresses her personality : “There is no doubt about it : Savelia likes a challenge”.

Early life of Savelia Curniski

On 17 January, 1949, Savelia Curniski was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. She fit right in with the nomadic life of her parents Joseph and Lydia Curniski and her 2 brothers Orest and Ronald.

At a very young age, Savelia could already be found visiting around the neighbourhood and befriending everyone. She continued throughout her life to consider cultivating friendships to be her greatest asset. Savelia’s grade 1 report card in 1956 appropriately captured her personality : “… she has developed good habits of careful thought and independence….” “Independent” could certainly be underlined !

Higher education

Savelia completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

She then went on to do masters degree studies in Curriculum Development.

While attending this university, she lived at the Mohyla Institute, a Ukrainian Orthodox residence where she forged many life-long friendships. Throughout her early life, Savelia was an active member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in which she participated in all aspects of church life, especially music.

Savelia became a member of the Ukrainian Folk Singers who were invited to sing at "Expo 67". In 1968, she sang with them in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and she continued as a dedicated member of the parish choir.

Savelia has strongly and repeatedly affirmed that solemn gratitude must be given to her mother Lydia, and her father Joseph, for instilling in her a love for the Church.

Founding a parish, 1975

As a young adult in the mid-1970s, an amazing challenge awaited her. During this time, Savelia, along with other like-minded Orthodox Christians, took a step of faith and organised Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, an English-speaking Orthodox parish.

With the guidance of Father Orest Olekshy and his wife Oksana, this handful of young adults took the first uncertain steps. They received encouragement from their parents, and they learnt that they could accept a challenge and be successful. The Curniski family became one of the founding families of Holy Resurrection Church.

Church Historical Informational Research Project

While Savelia was a student in the university in the early 1970s, the Canadian federal government initiated a programme called "Opportunities for Youth".

Savelia, who had a passion for visiting pioneer Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic churches, realised that this passion could possibly be a legitimate project for the programme. It would be called CHIRP (“Church Historical Informational Research Project”) – and it would include photographs of the interior and exterior of the church, as well as the bell-towers and the cemetery. Architectural drawings and histories were recorded to complete the file on each rural church or Temple. The project was accepted.

The summer was spent in the Canora, Saskatchewan area where they drove on all sorts of country roads to complete the work on each building. That summer, 30 churches were completed, and the program ended. However, there was good news. The Museum of Man in Ottawa heard of the project, and a representative visited them in Canora, Saskatchewan, in order to ask whether this summer project could be continued in other areas of Saskatchewan. Again, it was an ideal summer job. Each summer, for 5 years, 30 churches were researched, and all the information was sent to Ottawa.

One of the results of this research caught the attention of the Architectural Society of Canada, and Savelia was asked to present a paper which she named "Icons and Banyas". Since many of these churches have either burned, deteriorated or are in the process of being destroyed, the research of CHIRP remains as a permanent record : a part of the history of Saskatchewan and the pioneer spirit.

The CHIRP was researched for the Canadian Centre for Folk Culture Studies between 1971 and 1975 and compiled as research files by 1978. The files, now at the Canadian Museum of Civilisaton (CMC) in Ottawa (recently re-named as the "Canadian Museum of History"), contain information on 146 Saskatchewan churches of East European congregations (69 of which are Ukrainian Catholic). Each file contains a photo essay (exterior, interior, grounds, reporters), a building questionnaire, a congregation history based on interviews, and line drawings of building plans and iconostas elevations.

Teaching

Savelia’s teaching career was short-lived but exciting. She taught for one year in Saskatchewan, and then 2 more years in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. For her, the time in “the Territories” was the beginning of her travelling spirit. From there, she travelled the high desolate Arctic, and then Yukon and Alaska. During her Yellowknife days, she was chosen to represent Canada at a NATO conference in Belgium. New people and new places to visit suited her perfectly.

After 3 years of teaching, Savelia understood that this was not the profession for her. She believed that she needed more independence and new challenges.

Following her mother's entrepreneurial foot-steps

Then, an almost hand-carved job awaited her in Saskatchewan. She worked as a field co-ordinator for “Celebrate Saskatchewan”. It was Saskatchewan’s 75th Anniversary in 1980. What an ideal job for her – to organise 275 communities from cities to hamlets in East Central Saskatchewan, and then spend all 1980 attending all the parties she had helped co-ordinate. It was a perfect job.

As 1980 drew to a close, Savelia used her business and organisational skills to open the popular European-designed restaurant, “Lydia’s”, named after her mother. The restaurant allowed her time to begin travelling throughout the world.

A trip to China was especially memorable. She travelled into the interior of China. There, her group of tourists proved to be the first Caucasian people whom the local people had ever seen.

The next significant trip for her was in 1990 to Ukraine, which undeniably changed Savelia’s life journey. During her visit, she was able to walk in the village of her grandparents who came to Canada in the early 1900s. Her travels in Ukraine deepened her awareness not only of the opportunities but also of the needs of Ukrainian society. As a consequence of this visit, and the manner in which her heart was moved, there were several developments.

The first development was the founding of a touring company called “Savelia’s Tours to Ukraine”. Hundreds of Canadians have since then travelled with this company. Canadian dance groups, pilgrimage groups and individuals seeking their roots in Ukraine became Savelia’s specialties. In association with this company, she facilitated several pilgrimages of Canadians to holy places in Ukraine. She was also instrumental in setting up a Canadian company “Sabrama International” that acquired property in Ukraine.

In 1998, Savelia contacted the Roman Catholic priest Patrick Cosgrove. As then, so now, he is the President of “Christian Child Care International”, now called “Chalice”. Savelia was concerned that this Canadian sponsorship programme take poor and orphaned Ukrainian children under their umbrella. Savelia then met many Orthodox Christian Canadians and others who have undertaken to sponsor children and families in Ukraine through this charity. Their support has gone far to ease the poverty of many, and to open doors to a good education for capable children. Since then, this Canadian support has gone far to ease the poverty of more than 3,500 children.

Founding of the NASHI – Our Children Charity

In 2004, Savelia saw human trafficking happening before her eyes (as it were, first-hand), while she was on one of her tours in Ukraine. She was both appalled and shocked. She asked how this modern day slavery could be alive and thriving in the 21st century. She, as each of those who encountered this, faced a dilemma – “Can I do anything to expose this atrocity, or do I simply say that this is not my concern”.

Savelia has lived most of her life, believing that she could do something, no matter how insignificant. Therefore, after a few phone calls to friends and acquaintances, around her kitchen table, the charity NASHI was formed. NASHI is a group dedicated to making Canadians aware of human trafficking and also the building of a safe house for at-risk young girls in Ukraine known as the "Maple Leaf Centre". This is an amazing 14,000 square-foot building. It took considerable renovation to make the building a suitable centre that could serve as a home for 20 girls at a time. This work was accomplished by many volunteers from North America.

While at the safe-home, the young girls are helped to be healed from previous abuses. Because this takes time, it is helpful that they are not required to leave before they are ready. They are provided with opportunities to develop self-supporting skills. They are helped to prepare themselves for a future of their own choosing. Again, without a road map or GPS, Savelia believed that this safe house could become a reality : just take a step of faith.

Savelia has lived her life, and she continues to live her life believing that we can take on any challenge just by doing the right thing. “You don’t need a complicated plan, a road map or a GPS : you simply need to trust that God is leading and guiding you – and then take a step of faith. We have to walk off the dry land, where we measure and plan, to taking the first steps on water, where an exciting life awaits each of us”.

From the "Canadian Orthodox Messenger", Winter 2007-2008 :

Interview by Katya Szalasznyj of Holy Resurrection Sobor, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Savelia Curniski is well known in the Archdiocese as the President and co-founder of NASHI,
the Saskatoon-based organisation dedicated to diverting children of Ukraine from the sex trade,
and to raising awareness of the global problem of human trafficking. She has led many groups of
persons within the Archdiocese on pilgrimages to Ukraine ; and, partnering with the Pochaiv Project
under ‘Christian Child Care International’ (Springhill, Nova Scotia), now known as ‘Chalice’,
she has encouraged many to support children caught in poverty there.

To date 3,500 children have Canadian sponsors, ensuring that they receive adequate food, clothing and school
supplies for day to day living. In Ukraine, the response is one of intense gratitude and amazement at
Canadians’ ability to fundraise and provide leadership. On 10 May 2007, Savelia and co-founder,
Betty Lawrence, were honoured to be at the ‘People of Courage Luncheon’ to meet Canada’s Governor-General,
with an opportunity to inform her of NASHI’s work. In May, the ‘Bells of Hope’ conference was held
in Saskatoon with guest speaker, journalist and human rights activist, Victor Malorek. Hundreds attended
from all walks of life. To update us even more on some of the new and exciting initiatives undertaken
by NASHI, which will expand its programme in many ways, Savelia was interviewed by Katya Szalasznyj on
October 5.

Katya : Savelia, NASHI has been in operation for four years. This last spring you and a number of NASHI
volunteers went to Ukraine. What insights did you receive in regard to NASHI’s goals ? What did you pick up
about the situation of children at this time ?

Savelia : We realized, first, that our past efforts are making a difference in children’s lives. Second, that
we needed to continue to expand and open new areas for a trade school. Children continue to be at risk,
especially those leaving the orphanages and those from poor homes. It was also evident that sexual predators
were especially interested in children who are as young as six years old.

Katya : The concept of a Safe House (the Maple Leaf Project) has been discussed at NASHI gatherings.
Can you give us some key details about it ?

Savelia : The Maple Leaf ‘Klenovi Lyst’ project will be our most ambitious project yet.
It involves the establishment of an educational/living model project. We chose the maple leaf because
it is known as a symbol of Canada throughout the world and is a tree common to both Canada and Ukraine.
The Maple Leaf Centre, under the direction of Fr Bohdan Bilas, will be in Stoyaniv, a village of
7,000 persons which is 75 km from Lviv, near the regional centre of Radehiv (population, 15,000).
Stoyaniv offers a number of facilities that can be purchased and renovated, including a former
kindergarten and a former agricultural administration building. One will be designated as a safe
house and the other will be renovated into a trade school. The first phase of work involves setting
up a joint charitable fund in Ukraine with both Canadian and Ukrainian directors, for full accountability
and proper dispersal of funds ; major renovations to the kindergarten facility to create the safe house ;
and conversion of the main floor to classrooms. This phase will cost an estimated $152,000 (Canadian).
The second phase involves turning the administration building into a trade school and small business
centre that could offer skill-building courses that include potentially a culinary school, green tourism,
auto repair, hair styling, construction, and language skills. All of this will cost about $78,000.

Katya : What about NASHI’s tradeschool ? Can you give us an update ?

Savelia : This is a sponsorship programme that is very successful. We identified the need for a small trade
school to assist children in learning a skill. Through fundraising, we were able to buy sewing machines and
computers and to renovate space for this school. The demand was greater than the space we had, and this
summer the school was moved to a larger facility where over eighty children are learning a trade.

Katya : Fr Bohdan Bilas from Lviv, Ukraine is visiting NASHI in October, and will be guest speaker at your
Fall Fundraiser Supper on October 29th. What is his role with NASHI ?

Savelia : Fr Bohdan, who is the Chancellor of the Lviv Diocese, will be the director of our joint Canada-
Ukraine humanitarian project. NASHI believes that we need to partner with people and organizations, as we did
with the Pochaiv Project. It is imperative that these partners continue the work that we are able to fund
from Canada. Fr Bohdan has already been involved in two pilot projects in Ukraine. One project is
investigating the spread of AIDS in Ukraine, and the other is the devastating effect of human trafficking.

Katya : Sponsorship of children through Child Care International has been a great thing. What happens to
the children when they reach the age limit of the programme ?

Savelia : For most of the children, the sponsors are able to supplement their food and provide assistance,
especially in school materials. The programme does not include further education for the youth who have
turned sixteen. Sponsors can continue to help at that age, but often the sponsorship stops, and NASHI has
found that at that age they are very vulnerable to the lures of the West, which often allows them to be
targets for human traffickers. It is important that assistance be extended through those critical years, for
higher education. NASHI’s Maple Leaf Centre will be one way this can be done.

Katya : If some want to support the Maple Leaf Project, how can they do it ?

Savelia : We would greatly appreciate any donations for the Maple Leaf Project - either from individuals or
from parishes throughout Canada. In the foyer of the safe house, we are ‘Growing a Maple Leaf Tree’. With
each leaf our tree will grow into the ‘Tree of Life and Hope’. A leaf can be purchased and your name, or the
name of whomever you would like, will be imprinted on that leaf and displayed in the foyer. It will be a
colourful tree, we hope, growing from these options :

Green Leaf $100-$499.
Red Leaf $500-$999.
Gold Leaf $1,000 and above.

Of course, all donations would be gratefully accepted, even outside these categories :

Payment can be made by : E-transfer (admin@nashi.ca) ; Credit Card ; Pay Pal ;
Cheque : ‘NASHI – Our Children’ at 535-8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7H 0P9.

More information, and the Maple Leaf pledge form, are available on our web-site. Each year at a designated
date we will have a service of thanksgiving and remembrance for all the donors and the persons whose names are
inscribed on the leaves.

Savelia and Victor Malarek at a Ukrainian Orphanage

Victor Malarek, CTV journalist and author of “The Natashas” states the case for NASHI most eloquently :

 Everyone on this fragile planet has the capacity to reach out and touch the soul of someone less fortunate.  
 If everyone did this, what an amazing world it would be.  NASHI, and its devoted coterie of volunteers, have 
 taken on a daunting task with a deep sense of mission and driving spirit. From Saskatoon, all the way across 
 the Atlantic Ocean to Lviv, Ukraine, NASHI makes an incredible difference in the lives of so many 
 abandoned orphans in Ukraine.  They are to be commended for their work and their selfless devotion.

There was a “People of Courage” luncheon in Government House in Regina, Saskatchewan in May 2007. At this luncheon, the Governor-General of Canada, the Rt Honourable Michaëlle Jean and Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Lynda Haverstock were photographed as they chatted with Savelia Curniski of NASHI, and the photo was published in the "Canadian Orthodox Messenger".

Savelia and the Governor General

Other activities

In 2014, Savelia was the Archdiocese of Canada’s representative to the Canadian Council of Churches regarding Human Trafficking in Canada.

Awards

On 31 May, 2012, Savelia Curniski was amongst other nominees for the 30th annual Women of Distinction Awards in Edmonton, Alberta. The celebration honours women from all walks of life who quietly, humbly make a big impact on the city of Edmonton through philanthropic efforts, career successes, and cultural contributions.

Savelia Curniski, Pauline Lysak and others

More than 30 nominees from 5 categories, including advocacy in arts, culture & heritage, business & community service, and education received a standing ovation during their promenade to the stage. Pauline Lysak was amongst the workers for the "Maple Leaf Project".

On 5 November, 2017, Savelia was amongst those who received the "Nation Builder" award in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. This award was given by the "Ukrainian Canadian Congress" Saskatchewan Provincial Council's Nation Builders and Community Recognition Awards luncheon in that city.

Awards in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

2017 Nation Builders & Community Recognition Awards recipients with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and UCC Saskatchewan President.

Nation Builders seated : Anthony Bidulka, UCC Saskatchewan President Mary Ann Trischuk, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Savelia Curniski, Nadia Prokopchuk.

Community Recognition Award recipients standing : Her Honour’s Aide-de-Camp Captain Cathy Sarich, Marjorie Bodnarchuk, Ryan Boyko, Natalia (Wasylyk) Maruschak, Connor Moen, Vladyslav Osatiuk. Missing due to illness are Nation Builder Dr. Bohdan Kordan and Community Recognition Award honouree (Cultural Preservation & Development) Vera Feduschak. (Photograph courtesy of Mark Zulkoskey (2017).)

2019 International Forum on Modern Slavery in Istanbul

Following the Feast of the Theophany, the Ecumenical Patriarchate hosted an "International Forum on Modern Slavery" under the auspices of Patriarch Bartholomew I. The forum was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 7-8 January, 2019, and it focused on the theme “Awareness, Action and Impact”. Patriarch Bartholomew invited Savelia to be present on that occasion, and to make a presentation during the forum.

Patriarch Bartholomew commented that “this Forum aims to rectify the direction society is heading in, and to find real and concrete means to fight against this unacceptable expression of abuse and evil in our present day and age”.

The first panel addressed legal frameworks (at the international, national, and local levels) for addressing the diverse expressions of modern slavery. The second panel discussed current trends in forced migration and human trafficking. It emphasised how migration and human smuggling and trafficking are interstitial to many other dimensions of human slavery. The third panel consisted of practitioners whose grassroots efforts have made positive impacts, including the protection of women and children, as well as the provision of public health services, as remedies to human slavery.

On the morning of 8 January, the Orthodox Christian ministries that were invited to the Forum met for a first-ever inter-Orthodox consultation on modern slavery. Ministry representatives discussed their core activities and key outcomes and identified opportunities for collaboration and synergy amongst and between Orthodox institutions and organisations. It was at this time that Savelia made her presentation. The consultation emphasised the priority of applying Orthodox teachings on freedom and dignity to action and witness, in order to help to eliminate the global scourge of slavery that traps millions of people in lives of suffering, injustice and humiliation.

2019 Istanbul Forum

Savelia is seated in the front row on the left.

In October, 2019, the magazine "Intercommunion" published an article about the safe-house in Ukraine, and the following poem by Savelia Curniski was published :

 ‘For I am Your Child’
 By Savelia Curniski
 
 You have ears ... but do you hear me
 You have eyes ... but do you see me
 TOUCH ME ... FOR I AM YOUR CHILD
 
 Blameless my life beats to this fate
 Help my sister before it’s too late
 Help her for she is only ... eight

Maple Leaf House residents ready for school

Ukrainian Canadian Congress Leadership Award, 2019

In November, 2019, Savelia Curniski was presented with a Leadership Award by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress at its 26th Triennial Congress in Ottawa, Ontario.

Savelia Curniski, 2019

War, precautionary evacuation, 2022

With the beginning of open war in Eastern Ukraine in February, 2022, and very quickly thereafter the flight of multitudes of Ukrainians from the country, it was immediately obvious that the protection of the girls in the Maple Leaf Safe House was a priority.

Their lives had already been filled with trauma. Therefore, within weeks, they were evacuated to a safe place in a village in south-eastern Poland. There, they continued to pursue their studies (which included learning 2 other languages). In Ukraine, the Maple Leaf House itself was used to help families in flight as they passed westwards towards Poland (where there were soon several million refugees).

The refuge in Poland

Twentieth anniversary, 2024

In early 2024, the 20th anniversary of NASHI began to be marked. On the web-site's newsletter, the emphasis was placed not on what Savelia and her colleagues have done, but rather on what all the contributors and helpers have done. The supporters of this long-term project were recognised as having contributed through various means, such as :

 – memorials in memory of loved ones  
 – wills and bequests  
 – anniversary-associated gifts  
 – birthday-associated gifts 
 – monthly donations  
 – repeated donations 
 – donations of time and activity
 
 'You were all motivated to give your gift to our mission and the girls who will 
 carry on your legacy forever'.

Because the girls had had to be evacuated from the dangers associated with war through the move from Ukraine into Poland, a vacation was proposed, organised, and accomplished through the "Sea Campaign". Because of the donations, the girls were enabled to be driven to a seaside resort camp in Croatia for several days. The experience was healing for them.

The girls at the camp, 2023

The newsletter gave reports regarding a major fundraiser in Bedford, Nova Scotia, and Teen Camp at Wakaw, Saskatchewan. As well, there were many photographs of important events during the past 2 decades.

Summer, 2024, newsletter

The Summer, 2024, newsletter provided some information about the current state of affairs at the new site in Poland, about the current fundraisers, and about the coming anniversary gala.

Session at the new site in Poland, 2024

Reflections

See the article about Lydia Curniski.

Savelia does not advertise her abilities ; rather, as did her mother, Lydia, she simply gets to work and does what is necessary. She has been able to understand some or many of the gifts that the Lord has given her, and she has been using them to His glory, and for the welfare of His creatures. She certainly has superior management skills. She has the ability to give positive leadership. She has the ability to delegate tasks. With these gifts, she is able to amass a team of skilled people who willingly work with her. It is thus that she is and has been able to help so many people in so many ways.

Indeed, in her service, she is reflecting such passages as these :

 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them 
 well, asked Him, 'Which is the first commandment of all ?'  Jesus answered him, 'The first of all the 
 commandments is : "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God 
 with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength".  This is the first 
 commandment.  And the second, like it, is this : "You shall love your neighbour as yourself".  There is no 
 other commandment greater than these'.  So the scribe said to Him, 'Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the 
 truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.  And to love Him with all the heart, with all the 
 understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more 
 than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices' (Mark 12:28-33).
 
 'Let brotherly love continue.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly 
 entertained angels.  Remember the prisoners as if chained with them – those who are mistreated – since you 
 yourselves are in the body also' (Hebrews 13:1-3).

Awards

• 2007 ‘People of Courage’ (Governor General of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan)

• 2009 Holy Great Martyr of Saint Barbara Award

• 2017 Nation Builders Award (Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan)

• 2019 Leadership Award (1 November, 2019, Ottawa)

• 2019 Award of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-worker (Foundation of International Awards)