Stechishin, Julius, 1895-1971 : Julius Stechishin was a well-known Saskatchewan educator, administrator, community activist, lawyer, university sessional lecturer, writer and scholar who devoted much of his life to furthering the educational, cultural and religious development of Ukrainian life in Canada.
Born in the Western Ukraine in 1895, Julius Stechishin came to Canada when he was 15 years old and settled in Winnipeg. He initially worked as a printer and saved enough money to put himself through school to become a teacher. In 1916 he attended the Adam Kotsko Ukrainian Institute in Winnipeg, and in 1917 entered the University of Saskatchewan. In 1921 he received his Bachelor of Arts in Law degree and was appointed principate of the Petro Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon, a residence school for Ukrainian students. Also in 1921, he married Savella Wawryniuk, the first Ukrainian woman to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan.
In 1918 Stechishin participated in the founding and establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. By 1922 the church held its first service in the vernacular Ukrainian, a first for Canada. Soon thereafter, other churches across Canada followed the example set by the Saskatoon parish. Stechishin would go on to serve on the board of the church.
Julius Stechishin was one of the founders of the Ukrainian Self Reliance League of Canada, an organization that has provided leadership and service to the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Canada by fostering the creation of various programs and institutions. The League went on to found the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, which later became the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, now recognized as the voice for Ukrainian Canadians.
Julius Stechishin published two well-known books; "History of the Petro Mohyla Institute" , which covered the history of the religious and cultural life of Ukrainian communities in Canada. Secondly, a Ukrainian grammar book written for english-speaking people, the first of its kind in Canada. At the time of his death he was working on "History of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada," which was later completed by his wife and published.
His dedication to his work and activities was recognized by the Ukrainian community and his profession with his appointment as Queen's Counsel in 1957.
Julius Stechishin died in 1971.
