Canadian Lemko Association

The Canadian Lemko Association (OLK) is a community organization representing the Lemko Ukrainian diaspora in Canada. It was founded in Toronto in 1961 as the 20th branch of the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna (OOL), named after composer Father Mykhailo Verbytsky. The organization was established by Ivan Olenych and Pavlo Kharydchak, initially with 38 members. In 1973, it adopted its current name, and in 1978 it received official registration from the Federal Corporate Ministry of Canada. The OLK operates through branches in Toronto, Hamilton, and Windsor, and collaborates with communities in Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Ottawa. It is a member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Lemko Organizations (SFULO), the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and the World Congress of Ukrainians. The association maintains a museum, organizes cultural events such as the Lemko Vatra and Malanka, and publishes materials related to Lemko heritage. Its website serves as a hub for information about the organization, its branches, and the Lemkivshchyna region.

The Canadian Lemko Association was founded on July 23, 1961, in Toronto as the 20th branch of the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna (OOL), named after composer Father Mykhailo Verbytsky. The initiative came from Ivan Olenych and Pavlo Kharydchak, who organized the first meeting on May 28, 1961. The founding meeting took place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, and the organization initially had 38 members. Ivan Olenych was elected chairman, with Mykhailo Holynsky as deputy, Andriy Matsko as secretary, and Ivan Bokhnevych as treasurer. On July 26, 1965, the organization became a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee. In 1973, at the annual general meeting on March 24, a decision was made to create a national executive of Lemko organizations in Canada. The organization adopted its current name, Canadian Lemko Association (OLK). The first chairman of the national executive was Mykhailo Fedak. On March 2, 1978, the organization received official registration from the Federal Corporate Ministry of Canada. Over the years, chairmen included Mykhailo Fedak, Maksym Masley, Stefan Babyak, Adam Stets, Ivan Olenych, Andriy Rotko, and Petro Hrynkiv. Today, the OLK operates in four branches, including Toronto, Hamilton, and Windsor, and cooperates with communities in Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Ottawa. It is a member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Lemko Organizations (SFULO), the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and the World Congress of Ukrainians.

• 1978

  Received official registration from the Federal Corporate Ministry of Canada.

• 1973

  Adopted the name Canadian Lemko Association (OLK) and established a national executive.

• 1965

  Became a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee.

• 1961

  Founded as the 20th branch of the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivshchyna (OOL) in Toronto.

Community organization dedicated to preserving Lemko culture and heritage in Canada.

1. 1Canadian Lemko Association (Lemko OLK), Toronto, Canadalemko-olk.com
2. 2Canadian Lemko Association (Lemko OLK), Toronto, Canadalemko-olk.com
3. 3Canadian Lemko Associationwikidata.org
4. 4Об'єднання лемків Канадиuk.wikipedia.org