The Pattern of Ukrainian Immigration and Settlement
The Prairies remained relatively empty until 1896. Between
1874 and 1896 an average of only 3000 homestead entries were made
yearly and very many of these were cancelled shortly thereafter.
The first transcontinental -- the CPR -- had been completed in 1885,
but fear of grasshopper infestations, global economic depression,
lacklustre promotion and the fact that the railroads had yet to select
the lands to which they were entitled, all combined to reduce
immigration to an insignificant trickle. Although a few
Ukrainian settlers arrived between 1891 and 1895, organized Ukrainian emigration
from Galicia and Bukovyna to Canada began in 1896 and did not assume
mass proportions prior to 1898.
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When they arrived, Ukrainian
immigrants did not settle on the open prairie lands which stretched
across the southern half of the Prairie provinces. Instead
they settled on lands in the "park belt" and forest areas
further north. The oldest and largest Ukrainian settlement on the Prairies, the one in
east central Alberta, straddled the frontier between the "park belt"
and the forest region. By 1916 it covered an area of about 2500 square
miles.
The CKUA Heritage Trails:
To listen to the Heritage Trails , you need the RealPlayer,
available free from RealNetworks:
- Ukrainian Christmas in the 1920s - Ukrainian settlers
in Alberta celebrated Christmas in unique ways. Hear about the
agrarian traditions that influence Ukrainian Christmas rituals.
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| Listen
- The Meal at Ukrainian Christmas - The traditional
Ukrainian Christmas meal consists of twelve dishes, all without
meat. Listen to David Goa explain the other Christmas traditions
that Ukrainian settlers brought with them to Alberta.
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| Listen
- Ukrainian Carolling - Caroling was one of the most
important traditions of the Ukrainian Christmas season. Hear
more about this festive ritual!
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| Listen
- Epiphany: Blessing the Water - The Epiphany was the
final Ukrainian holiday of the Christmas season. Listen, and
learn about the tradition of blessing water on this day.
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| Listen
- Ukrainian Settlement, Part One: Ivan Pylypow and Wasyl Eleniak Come to Alberta - Who were the first Ukrainian settlers, and why did they head for Alberta? Hear the story, now!
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- Ukrainian Settlement, Part Two - Hear the story of Ivan Pylypow, one of the first Ukrainian settlers in Alberta.
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- Ukrainian Settlement, Part Three: Joseph Oleskiw - Joseph Oleskiw helped his fellow immigrants come to Alberta. Hear how he did it!
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