Rayla Myhal
Co-Founder & Chair, Tryzub Awards Gala
On behalf of myself and the entire Tryzub Awards Gala committee, I would like to congratulate this evening’s recipients on their well deserved awards.
We continue to work in support of Ukraine as we mark more than three years since Russian aggressors attempted to undermine Ukrainian Sovereignty. Although the world and supporters of Ukraine are experiencing giving fatigue, the support of the Ukrainian diaspora and Canadians as a whole, continues to inspire and uplift.
This year we are thrilled to have selected these deserving recipients, the founders of Caravan Group of Companies: John Iwaniura, Steve Merena and Bob Workun. In addition, the Honourable Jason Kenney. These gentlemen exemplify service to Canada and the Ukrainian community in their actions and support of Ukraine on a global scale. We are humbled to be able to honour you all.
Thank you to the generosity of all of our supporters. We have once again surpassed our target for this year!
These funds will be shared between the Ukrainian World Congress and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation for humanitarian initiatives in support of Ukraine. In addition, funds will be allocated for local grass root charities that continue to support Ukrainians that have come to Canada fleeing the war. We look forward to an evening of celebration and reflection.
Our hearts and prayers continue to be with the people of Ukraine.
СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ!СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ !
Rayla Myhal Co-Founder and Chair
George Myhal Co-Founder
Marta Czurylowicz
Kirsten Myhal
Marc Marzotto
Kyla Pyndiura
Larysa Grod
Olena Grod
Renya Pastuszak
Luke Jakubowsky
The proceeds from tonight’s dinner will be used to fund programs with the following organizations.
The Ukrainian World Congress has been spearheading humanitarian aid and efforts in war torn Ukraine since the start of the war. UWC has been working tirelessly to ensure that support and aid are reaching the front lines and to the civilians that need it the most.
One of their most successful campaigns has been Unite With Ukraine, sending much needed military equipment and supplies to the region. You can learn more here: www.unitewithukraine.com
The Canada-Ukraine Foundation has become a go to organisation for Newcomers and non Ukrainians to garner information on how to support the war in Ukraine. Working tirelessly to re-engage Canadians, CUF has been working on initiatives that collaborate with a multitude of organizations in order to support a variety of services and support for Ukrainians, both here and abroad.
And to all of our supporters who purchased tickets or made donations for this evening to celebrate our outstanding recipients.
INTRODUCTION by Master of Ceremonies Marta Czurylowicz
STARTER COURSE
INTRODUCTION OF LEADERSHIP AWARD
Presented by Zenon Potichny
Awarded to Caravan Group of Companies Founders:
John Iwaniura, Steve Merena and Bob Workhun
MAIN COURSE
INTRODUCTION OF FRIEND OF UKRAINE AWARD
Presented by Diane Francis, past recipient
Awarded to Hon. Jason Kenney
CLOSING REMARKS from Rayla Myhal
Co-Founder & Chair of Tryzub Awards
Live Auction hosted by Keith Vriesen
PERFORMANCE by Mike Boguski
Beyond their leadership at Caravan, the trio remains active in the community. John serves as the First Vice President of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC), where he is dedicated to promoting business ties between Canada and Ukraine. Recognized for his impact and contributions, John received a Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award in 2015. Steve is the President of the Lemko Association in Canada. Bob prefers to have a lower profile and assist the Ukrainian Community behind the scenes often being the one to provide support to organizational leaders for their different events, including, but not limited to, the Centennial Ukrainian Independence Day Festival and UNF Toronto’s initiatives at Sokil.
John, Steve, and Bob are all active supporters of initiatives for Ukrainians in Canada, Poland, and Ukraine, demonstrating their steadfast commitment to the Ukrainian Community.
The Honourable Jason Kenney served as the 18th Premier of Alberta, where he led the development and diversification of the province’s energy sector, built partnerships with Indigenous communities and created new opportunities for businesses to grow and attract investment. He served for more than 25 years in Canadian federal and provincial elected office.
Jason provides an extraordinary combination of leadership, vision and public policy experience to Bennett Jones clients. As Premier, he led the creation of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, Natural Gas Vision and Strategy, Hydrogen Roadmap and the first-of-its-kind Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation.
From 2007-15, he served as Canada’s Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism; Minister of Employment and Social Development; Minister of National Defence; and Chair of the Cabinet Operations Committee. He was first elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1997 and was re-elected six times.
Jason was the President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in the 1990s before starting his political career.
As keyboardist in Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees Blue Rodeo, Mike Boguski is regarded as one of the country’s finest instrumentalists. Having appeared on each of the band’s albums since 2009’s The Things We Left Behind, Boguski has contributed to Blue Rodeo’s evolution while staying true to its core sound that carries on the tradition of Canadian roots rock.
However, Boguski’s own musical range and ambitions extend far beyond his work with Blue Rodeo. Born and raised in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, Boguski started playing keyboards professionally in his teens, doing all manner of hired jobs before landing a spot in the band Revival Dear. This led him to frequent Toronto’s newly opened Dakota Tavern, where he found a place in its unofficial house band The Beauties. Their Sunday night residency quickly began drawing large crowds and led to further offers to play with other bands and singer/songwriters. When Blue Rodeo’s keyboard seat became vacant in 2008, Boguski got a call and within days he was on tour with them in the U.S. after learning a 30-song repertoire.
For anyone familiar with Blue Rodeo, it’s easy to hear the influence of keyboardists such as Garth Hudson, Ray Manzarek and NRBQ’s Terry Adams in Boguski’s approach. Yet, a big part of his musical education was also studying improvisation at York University with renowned instructor Casey Sokol. In 2017, after hearing that Sokol was about to retire, Boguski took his course again, the first step in an extended period of exploring improvised piano pieces that resulted in Boguski’s first solo album, Blues For The Penitent, recorded with Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. The pair would go on to collaborate on two further instrumental singles, “December” and “Message From Mars,” that incorporated more electric elements.
All of this pushed Boguski further into the jazz scene, and in 2019 he reached out to bassist Roberto Occhipinti who in turn contacted drummer Davide Direnzo. In short order, the Mike Boguski Trio was in the studio recording Detour, an album made in the classic Blue Note Records style, featuring interpretations of Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Ray Charles and Ramsey Lewis—who also inspired the album’s lone original composition, “King Ramsey.” Most interestingly, Detour also contained several re-imaginings of Blue Rodeo favourites that displayed the full range of Boguski’s skills.
There’s never any question that Boguski’s focus is always on broadening his musical horizons, but over the years he has also shown a deep commitment to charitable causes. In 2018—motivated by the words of The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie—Boguski launched the Cold Manitoba Project, a series of recordings made in collaboration with other notable Canadian artists, with all proceeds donated to the Native Addictions Council of Manitoba, an organization providing traditional healing services to First Peoples.
In 2022, Boguski embraced a new cause after learning of a fundraising effort to help British music industry figure John Brandham recover from a debilitating stroke. Boguski chose to help by recording a jazz version of the album A New Morning by Suede (one of the band’s Brandham worked closely with), with proceeds donated to Stroke Association UK. Needless to say, the Suede community warmly acknowledged Boguski’s effort, with a side benefit being more doors opening for him in the U.K.
As Blue Rodeo continues to be a musical force after four decades, Mike Boguski remains a cornerstone of its sound. At the same time, he has built the foundation for a dynamic solo career that is sure to keep producing innovative music for years to come.
Exclusive wine sponsor
Cassian Soltykevych from Urban Block Media for your tech help!
We kindly ask that you tag the photographers on socials if using their photos online
Thank you to the dancers from Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance
Thank you Rustem Irsay, our print partner
Please view a full list of all of our silent auction items using the following link
The Tryzub Awards Gala is proudly presented by The Tryzub Gala Foundation.
Registered Charitable Number:
760157826 RR0001
© The Tryzub Gala Foundation.
