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The Right HonourableStephen Harperattends the50th Anniversaryof theU n i t e dM a c e d o n i a n sOrganization of Canada

Established 1959Proudly Canadian

The Right HonourableStephen Harper

attends the50th Anniversary

of the

U n i t e dM a c e d o n i a n sOrganization of Canada


Toronto, 2009

Published by the United Macedonians Organization of CanadaToronto - 2009

Editor and DesignerDragi Stojkovski

Picture on front and inside front cover:Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President of the UMOC Dragi Stojkovski and Canadian

Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney with members of theMacedonian dance groups “Makedonka” and “St. Ilija”

(Photo taken by official photographer from the Prime Minister’s office).Other pictures used in the book also taken by official photographer from the Prime Minister’s office,by Lui Pandopoulos - official photographer of the United Macedonians Organization of Canada for

this event, as well as by Mary Mitsopoulos and Slobodan Petreski.

Izdadeno od Organizacijata Obedineti Makedonci vo KanadaToronto - 2009

Urednik i tehni~ka obrabotkaDragi Stojkovski

Slika na predna i vnatre{na korica:Kanadskiot Premier Stiven Harper, pretsedatelot na OOMK Dragi Stojkovski iMinisterot za Doseleni{tvo, dr`avjanstvo i multikulturalizam, Xejson Keni so

igraorcite od “Makedonka” i “Sv. Ilija”(Slikata e od slu`beniot slikar pri kancelarijata na Premierot).

Vo knigava se koristeni i drugi sliki od slu`beniot slikar pri kancelarijata naPremierot, od Lui Pandopulos - slu`ben slikar na Organizacijata ObedinetiMakedonci vo Kanada za ovoj nastan, kako i od Meri Mitsopulos i Slobodan

Petreski.

Contents

Dedication / Posveta ........................................................................................................... 6Prime Minister Harper attends United Macedonians’ 50th Anniversary

during Gotse Delchev Night ...................................................................................................... 7Kanadskiot premier Harper prisustvuva{e na 50 - godi{ninata na

“Obedineti Makedonci” za vreme “Gocevata ve~er” .................................................. 8Mr. Harper in the Macedonian Orthodox Church “St. Clement of Ohrid” ......................................... 9Mr. Harper enters the St. Clement’s Hall of the MOC “St. Clement of Ohrid” ................................ 14Start of the Official Program ............................................................................................................. 21Speech by Dragi Stojkovski, President of the United Macedonians Organization of Canada .......... 27Speech by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and

Multiculturalism ...................................................................................................................... 30Speech by Canada’s Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper ................................... 32Prime Minister’s Certificate to United Macedonians Organization of Canada

on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary .................................................................................. 35Speech by William Jankovski, Representative of the Macedonian Lions Hockey Team ................. 36Greetings from the Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski ................................................... 38Counter-clockwise View of the Guests ............................................................................................. 42The First Dance (Oro) Led by the President of “United Macedonians” Stojkovski and

Vice-President Bakalovski ....................................................................................................... 48Letter of Gratitude from the Prime Minister for the Hospitality During the 50th Anniversary ............ 53Reply Letter from Prime Minister’s Office Regarding “United Macedonians” Campaign for

Canada’s Recognition of the Constitutional Name of the Republic of Macedonia ................. 55

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The Right Honourable Stephen Harper at the 50th Anniversary of “United Macedonians”

Dedication

This publication is dedicated to the founding fathers of the United Macedonians Organization ofCanada, whose vision is still alive and strong and inspires the new generation of Canadian Macedoniansto continue to build on that strength by organizing annual events such as the Gotse Delchev Night,other Macedonian cultural, sports and educational events and establishments and lobbying for theMacedonian cause in Canada and throughout the World.

We are proud that our accomplishments are acknowledged by the presence of the Prime Ministerof Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper.

Posveta

Ova izdanie e posveteno na osnova~kite tatkovci na Organizacijata obedinetiMakedonci vo Kanada, ~ij dalekovid e seu{te ìv i silen i ja pottiknuva novatageneracija kanadski Makedonci da prodolàt so nadgradbata na taa sila prekuoddrùvawe godi{ni nastani kako {to e Gocevata - komitska ve~er, drugi makedonskikulturni, sportski i obrazovni nastani i ustanovi i lobirawe za makedonskoto delovo Kanada i niz celiot svet.


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Toronto, February 7, 2009 - The United Macedonian’s annual Gotse Delchev Night, held inthe year of the 50th Jubilee of the organization took place on Saturday February 7, in the ClementRoom of the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral St. “Clement of Ohrid” in Toronto. The 500 attendeeswere honoured with the presence of the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable, StephenHarper. Mr. Harper is the first Canadian Prime Minister to attend an event organized by the UnitedMacedonians or to visit the first and largest Macedonian cathedral in Canada.

The Prime Minister was welcomed in front of the cathedral St. “Clement of Ohrid”, by thepresident of the Organization Dragi Stojkovski, where he viewed the beautiful frescoes and signed thegolden Guest Book. There was an outpour of emotions when Mr. Harper entered the banquet hall.Everyone wanted to shake his hand and personally thank him for the recognition of the constitutionalname of the Republic of Macedonia and to share a photo with Canada’s leader.

Among the other guests at the celebration were Canadian dignitaries such as The HonourableJason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, while the Macedonian sidewas represented by Vlatko Gjorchev and Aleksandar Nikoloski, both MP’s in the MacedonianParliament, and Martin Trenevski, Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia in Toronto and others.

The President of the United Macedonians, Dragi Stojkovski, spoke about the importance of theGotse Delchev Night and the 50th Jubilee of the Organization.

On behalf of all Canadian Macedonians, as well as Macedonians worldwide, Stojkovski thankedthe Prime Minister for recognizing the historic and constitutional name of Macedonia in 2007. Heencouraged the Prime Minister to intensify trade and cultural ties with the Republic of Macedonia andto open a Canadian Embassy in Skopje, the Macedonian capital.

Stojkovski praised Canada’s multiculturalism and encouraged “Greece and Bulgaria, two ofMacedonia’s neighbours to learn a lesson from Canada”.

Prior to introducing the Canadian Prime Minister, Minister Kenney spoke about the contributionthat Canadian Macedonians have made in Canada.The Canadian Prime Minister thanked the more than 500 guests with “blagodaram”, (which means“thank you” in Macedonian). Harper was pleased with the warm welcome and expressed hissatisfaction of the good relations between Canada and the Republic of Macedonia.

Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski sent a greeting of his own for the celebration, whichwas read by Stojkovski. In it, Mr. Gruevski conveyed his “personal gratitude and the gratitude of theMacedonian people to the Prime Minister Harper and the state of Canada for the overall support thisfriendly country provides to us in the field of the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations, as well asfor the recognition of our Constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia.”

Before departing, Prime Minister Harper presented the President of the “United Macedonians”,Dragi Stojkovski, a certificate in recognition of the 50 year “effort to enrich the lives of Canadians ofMacedonian descent through community unification, and the celebration of your proud heritage andtraditions.” In return, as a sign of respect for the Prime Minister and gratitude for the recognition ofMacedonia’s name, Stojkovski presented Mr. Harper a sculpture of Alexander of Macedon in one ofhis victories, while the Macedonian hockey team “Macedonian Lions”, presented Mr. Harper with ahockey jersey bearing his name.

Other speakers during the second part of the program were Macedonian MPs Vlatko Gjorchevand Aleksandar Nikolovski and the Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia in Toronto, MartinTrenevski. Greetings from the “Union of Associations of Macedonians from the Aegean part ofMacedonia” were read.

Prime Minister Harper attends United Macedonians’ 50th Anniversary duringGotse Delchev Night

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Toronto, fevruari 7, 2009 - Tradicionalnata “Goceva ve~er” vo organizacija na“Obedineti Makedonci”, oddràna vo ramkite na 50-godi{ninata od osnovaweto naorganizacijata, se oddrà vo sabota, 7 fevruari, vo Klimentovata sala pri MPC sv.“Kliment Ohridski” vo Toronto. Petstotinata prisutni bea po~esteni so prisustvoto nakanadskiot premier Stiven Harper. Premierot Harper e prv kanadski premier kojprisustvuval na nastan organiziran od “Obedineti Makedonci” i prva poseta na prvatai najgolema Makedonska Pravoslavna Crkva vo Kanada.

Pred katedralata sv. “Kliment Ohridski”, pretsedatelot na OrganizacijataObedineti Makedonci vo Kanada, Dragi Stojkovski, go pre~eka Premierot. Porazgleduvawe na prekrasniot ̀ ivopis, premierot Harper se potpi{a vo zlatnata kniga.

Vleguvaj}i vo banketnata sala, prisutnite so ogromen izliv na emocii go pre~ekaaPremierot. Sekoj saka{e da se pozdravi so nego, da mu se zablagodari li~no zapriznavaweto na Republika Makedonija pod ustavnoto ime i da se slika pokraj nego.

Na proslavata ima{e i drugi gosti od Kanada kako Ministerot za dràvjanstvo,emigracija i multikultura, Xejson Keni, dodeka makedonskata strana be{e pretstavenaod dvata pratenika Vlatko \or~ev i Aleksandar Nikoloski, kako i Martin Trenevski,Generalen konzul na Republika Makedonija vo Toronto.

Vo svojot govor, pretsedatelot na Obedineti Makedonci, Dragi Stojkovski,zboruva{e za va`nosta na Gocevata ve~er i za 50-godi{ninata na Organizacijata.

Od imeto na site kanadski Makedonci, kako i od site Makedonci {irum svetot,Stojkovski se zablagodari na premierot Harper za priznavaweto na istoriskoto i ustavnoime na R. Makedonija vo 2007 godina. Toj go ohrabri premierot da gi pro{iri trgovskitei kulturni vrski so Republika Makedonija i da otvori kanadska ambasada vo Skopje.

Stojkovski go pofali kanadskiot miltikulturizam i gi ohrabri makedonskitesosedi, Grcija i Bugarija, da nau~at lekcija od Kanada.

Pred da go najavi premierot, ministerot Keni zboruva{e za udelot koj kanadskiteMakedonci go dale za Kanada.

Kanadskiot premier se zablagodari na 500-te prisutni so makedonskiot zbor“blagodaram”. Premierot Harper be{e zadovolen od topliot pre~ek i izrazi zadovolstvoza dobrite odnosi pome|u Kanada i Republika Makedonija.

Makedonskiot premier Gruevski isprati pozdrav do proslavata, koj be{e pro~itanod Stojkovski. Vo pozdravot Gruevski ja isprati “li~nata blagodarnost i blagodarnostana makedonskiot narod do premierot Harper i kanadskata dràva, za celosnata poddr{kakoja ovaa prijatelska dràva ni ja dava na poleto na evropski i evro-atlantskiintegracii, kako i priznavaweto na na{eto ustavno ime, Republika Makedonija.”

Pred zaminuvawe, premierot Harper mu vra~i na pretsedatelot na “ObedinetiMakedonci”, Dragi Stojkovski, povelba vo ~est na 50-godi{niot “trud da se zbogatatìvotite na Kana|anite od makedonsko poteklo, preku informirawe na zaednicata iproslavuvawe na va{eto gordo nasledstvo i tradicii.” Vozvrat, kako znak na ~est konpremierot i blagodarnost za priznavaweto na makedonskoto ime, Stojkovski mu vra~ina Harper reljev so Aleksandar Makedonski vo edna od negovite pobedonosni bitki,dodeka makedonskiot hokejarski tim “Makedonski lavovi” mu vra~i na Harper maica sonegovoto prezime.

Drugi govornici vo vtoriot del od programata bea pratenicite vo makedonskotoSobranie, Vlatko \or~ev i Aleksandar Nikolovski kako i Martin Trenevski, generalniotkonzul na Republika Makedonija vo Toronto. Pro~itana be{e pozdravnata telegrama od“Sojuzot na zdruènijata od egejskiot del na Makedonija”.

Kanadskiot premier Harper prisustvuva{e na 50 - godi{ninata na“Obedineti Makedonci” za vreme “Gocevata ve~er”

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Prime Minister Harper Enters the MacedonianOrthodox Church (MOC) “St. Clement of Ohrid”

The President of“United Macedonians”Dragi Stojkovski, greetedPrime Minister Harper infront of the MacedonianCathedral “St. Clement ofOhrid” and led him into thechurch (picture above)where Mr. Harper was firstintroduced to BorcheKulevski, the secretary ofthe organization (picture tothe right), then to the Par-ish priest, Father TrajkoBoseovski (upper picture onopposite page) and SashoPopovski, president of theChurch Executive.

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Prime Minister Harper Enters the Clements Hall at MOC“St. Clement of Ohrid”

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The atmosphere was charged withanticipation. Everyone was on their feet,awaiting the Prime Minister’s entranceinto Clement’s Hall. Once Mr. Harperstepped into the Hall, the guests gave hima hero’s welcome, chanting Harper,Harper, Harper...

Everyone wanted to shake Mr.Harper’s hand, talk to him, Thank him forCanada’s recognition of the constitutionalname of the Republic of Macedonia andget a chance to be photographed withCanada’s Prime Minister.

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The kitchen staff was first to getphotographed with the Prime Minister.

With the sounds of the traditional“Gajda” (Macedonian bagpipes), Mr.

Harper was led through the enthusiasticguests all the way to the Head Table

(lower picture on opposite page).

Sime Gadjovski, former president of the “St. Clement of Ohrid” Executive uses the opportunity topersonally thank the Prime Minister for Canada’s recognition of the Macedonian constitutional name.

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Before being seated at the Head Table, Mr. Harper received the traditional Macedonian welcome with“Leb i sol” (Bread and salt)

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Start of the Official Program

Jasmine Ignetsky, Mr. Harper’s Senior Economic Advisor and a proud Canadian of Macedonian origin.

Vickey Bakalovska was the MC for the evening

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MC Vickey Bakalovska (upperpicture on p. 21) opened the eveningby introducing all the guests at theHead table: Mary Lazarevski, MissUnited Macedonians 2008; FatherTrajko Boseovski, Dean to the Cana-dian Deanery of the American Cana-dian Macedonian Diocese and hiswife Mirjana; Vlatko Gjorchev andAleksandar Nikoloski, MP’s from theRepublic of Macedonia; MartinTrenevski, Consul General of the Re-public of Macedonia in Toronto adnhis wife Vasilka; Dragi Stojkovski,President of the United MacedoniansOrganization of Canada; The Hon-ourable Jason Kenney, Minister ofCitizenship, Immigration andMulticulturalism; and The RightHonourable Stephan Harper, PrimeMinister of Canada.

Igor Gelev, Captain in the Macedonian Army and MileDimitrievski, Major in the Macedonian Army. Both Macedonianofficers are studying English at CFB Borden and were specialguests for this event.

The dancers of “Makedonka” are anxiously waiting for theirchance to showcase the rich Macedonian folklore to

Canada’s Prime Minister and other dignitaries.

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The dance group “Makedonka” welcomed thePrime Minister with a traditional medley

dance called “Sred selo” (In the middle of thevillage) , while the guests attentively watched.

Although the younger dancers from the group“St. Ilija” did not get a chance to show theirdancing abilities due to time constraint (lowerpicture on p. 26), nevertheless they werethrilled to be in the presence of Canada’s PrimeMinister and be photographed with him (pictureon cover page).

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The Right Honourable Stephan Harper, Prime Minister of Canada;The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism;Dear guests from the Macedonian Parliament, Vlatko Gjorchev and Aleksandar Nikoloski;Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia, Ambassador Martin Trenevski;The founders of the United Macedonians Organization and past presidents;Our Parish Priests; presidents of the Macedonian Orthodox Churches and organizations;Dear Macedonian - Canadians and friends;This evening we have been honoured as never before. On this day, we celebrate the 137th

anniversary since the birth of the great Macedonian visionary and freedom fighter, Gotse Delchev,who dedicated his life for the liberty of Macedonia and the Macedonian people. Through this anniversarywe are honouring the lives of all Macedonians that have devoted and given their lives for the liberty ofMacedonia and its people. At the same time, we honour all Canadians who have given their lives forthe liberty of Canada, including the courageous Canadian soldiers that fight to bring peace and prosperityto the people of Afghanistan.

Speech by Dragi Stojkovski,President of the United Macedonians Organization of Canada

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This year, all of the events of the United Macedonians Organization of Canada are dedicated toour 50th anniversary celebrations. 50 years ago, young Macedonian Canadians, veterans of the SecondWorld War, encouraged by their involvement in the resistance effort to crush Nazi Germany and thereality that part of the Macedonian people had formed a Republic in 1944, refused to listen to thosewho wanted to deny the uniqueness of our language, culture and faith and established what was tobecome Canada’s largest Macedonian organization. They had foresight and vision. A vision that unityis strength. And on the 28th of April, 1959, at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto, they decided to formthe “United Macedonians”. Their goal was very simple and honourable: To promote unity and friendshipamong all Macedonians on this continent and elsewhere, regardless of their religious beliefs, politicalopinions or affiliations.

50 years is definitely a long enough time to declare that the vision of the founding fathersof our organization is still alive and strong and for that we salute you and thank you. You initiated theIlinden picnics, which, with time, became the largest gathering of Macedonians in the World. Youassisted in the foundation of this very cathedral. The new generation of Canadian Macedonians continueto build on that strength by organizing annual events such as the October 11th Banquet, the MirkaGinova Night and the Gotse Delchev Evening; supporting and sponsoring hockey, soccer and softballteams; organizing Macedonian cultural and educational establishments; lobbying for the Macedoniancause in Canada and throughout the World.

We are proud that our accomplishments are acknowledged by the presence of the Prime Ministerof Canada. And we are especially honoured because this is not just any Prime Minister of Canada. It isTHE Prime Minster that recognized the historic and constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.

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And for that reason Mr. Prime Minister, from the bottom of my heart, and I am sure that goes foreveryone here, all Canadian Macedonians, as well as Macedonians worldwide, we proudly say…ThankYou Mr. Harper.

The recognition of Macedonia’s name is an indication of your high moral values, as well as thoseof your Government.

Many Prime Ministers before you knew about the wrongdoings towards our aboriginalpopulation, but said nothing. It was you, Mr. Harper, as leader of this government that apologized forthe wrongdoings towards Canada’s native peoples. When I watched the formal apology on television,I felt very emotional. The apology and supporting investigative reports about the wrongdoings wereshown on TV throughout the day. As I watched, my thoughts went to the land of my birth, Macedonia,and the villages of my parent’s birth in the part of Macedonia under Greece. One question kept comingto my mind: when will Greece have a Prime Minister with the high moral values and courage to finallyapologize to the Macedonian people for the continuous ethnic and cultural assimilation perpetratedsince 1912? The more I asked that question, the more it felt like a hallucination. Is it possible for acountry that has spent nearly a century in denying a people its identity to finally stop the negationand apologize?

Prime Minister Harper, as ethnic Macedonians and Canadians of Macedonian origin, we areproud that our two countries and peoples have always been on the same side during major Worldconflicts. There is one small difference however – Canadian soldiers have fought on Macedonian soil,while no Macedonian soldier has had to fight on Canadian soil. However, the fact that MacedonianCanadians have fought for the Canadian army in the First and Second World Wars, evens out the score.And lets be proud of the fact that several Macedonian officers, who are present with us this evening,are being trained in Camp Borden, here in Canada. And we are very proud of that fact.

Another similarity between Canada and Macedonia is the fact that, although they are not majormilitary powers, in the field of culture they are both super powers, both living by Gotse Delchev’smotto: “I understand the World only as a field for cultural cooperation among nations”.

That is why we encourage both our countries and governments to follow Gotse’s guiding principlethrough increased trade and cultural contacts. As a highly industrialized country, Canada can help withinvestments in Macedonia. One way of increasing the level of cooperation would be the opening of aCanadian Embassy in Macedonia. And finally, Mr. Harper, Canada should finish the name recognitionissue by recognizing Macedonia’s name, not only in bilateral relations, but also in all internationalorganizations, such as the UN and NATO.

Dear friends, as Canadian Macedonians we are honoured and pleased that thousands ofMacedonians have chosen Canada as their country. We are part of the great multicultural mosaic that isCanada. We are proud to continually contribute towards keeping Canada the best and most liveablecountry in the World. Greece and Bulgaria, two of Macedonia’s neighbours, ought to learn a lessonfrom Canada. Canadian multiculturalism is the world’s first and most comprehensive official inclusivepolicy for all of its citizens. It assists with integration but also with language retention and pride ofone’s culture and heritage.

That is why it is my pleasure and honour to present to you our friend, the Honourable JasonKenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

.....................

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Speech by the Honourable Jason Kenney,Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Thank you. Thank you. Dobro vecher dame i gospoda.Reverand fathers, Ambassador, Consul General, Members of Parliament from Macedonia and

Canada, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.It is a great honour to be with you here tonight on this historic evening along with Canada’s

Prime Minister as we honour this 50th anniversary of the United Macedonians Association of Canada.Chestito i za mnogu godini.

Thank you in particular to Sveti Clement parish for having welcomed us here tonight and abroader thank you to the Macedonian Orthodox Church for all that it has done for this community.During the dark and difficult days of the communist oppression in Macedonia the Orthodox Churchhere in Canada and throughout the Diaspora provided a support for the community and support forthose who dreamed one day of having a free, independent and democratic country and we acknowledgethat leadership. This is indeed an historic night.

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I’m told that this is the second time only that a Canadian Prime Minister has visited the MacedonianCanadian community, the first time in two decades since a previous Conservative Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney visited the Macedonian Seniors Centre here in Toronto. And this is indeed a reflectionof the esteem in which the government of Canada and Prime Minister Harper’s government in particularholds this community, a community many of whose members came to this country seeking freedom,fleeing a country where there was no freedom. And you brought to this country your hopes and dreamsand aspirations for your children and grandchildren that they could grow up in a free and democraticcountry and now we are delighted that Macedonia and all of the other former countries of communisteast and central and southern Europe are free, democratic and independent nations.

Tonight it’s my real pleasure to introduce to you our country’s leader and our Prime Minister, aman who has put Canada back on the map of the world stage as a champion of principles, freedom,democracy and human rights. He is also a man who has put Canada on the map as a champion offreedom, democracy and human rights and he is a man who is providing strong leadership to ourcountry during these difficult and uncertain economic times.

Before I introduce him I should also point out he has the good wisdom to have selected as one ofhis senior advisors on the economy a proud Canadian of Macedonian origin Jasmine Ignetsky. Jasminestand up!

And so friends please join with me in welcoming to the podium, in welcoming to Canada’sMacedonian community Canada’s leader, the Prime Minister of this country the Right HonourableStephen Harper.

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Thank you very much. Thank you very much everybody for that tremendous welcome. Mercibeaucoup. I really do appreciate it. Thank you, as well Jason, for the kind introduction. MinisterKenney, as you know, is working every day overseeing Canada’s immigration department and ourmulticulturalism policy and I know he is doing a tremendous job so let’s all give him a big round ofapplause.

I’d like to say thank you to Dragi and to the entire United Macedonians Organization of Canadafor inviting me to share briefly in this special evening.

Greetings to my colleague, Member of Parliament, Paul Callendra, and also to our counterpartsfrom the Ambassador, Consul General and the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia.

Father Boseovski, honoured dignitaries, respected guests, ladies and gentlemen.First of all, as I say, thank you Dragi and the United Macedonians Organization of Canada for

inviting me to share in this special night. For half a century, this Organization has worked to enrich thelives of Canadians of Macedonian descent, uniting your community and keeping alive your proudheritage and traditions. So it is with great pleasure that I offer my congratulations on the occasion ofthis Organization’s 50th anniversary. I should mention Dragi, this organization was founded two daysbefore my birth.

Since the early 19th century, Canada has been the home to a vibrant Macedonian Diaspora. Early immigrants left all they knew behind in search of a better life for their children and found

both opportunity and prosperity on our shores.

Speech by Canada’s Prime Minister,the Right Honourable Stephen Harper

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And Canada, in turn, has been enriched by the contributions of Macedonian Canadians. Asdevoted family- and community-conscious neighbours, as enthusiastic participants in the democraticprocess, as hardworking entrepreneurs, dedicated and accomplished professionals, each and everyday, Macedonian Canadians are helping to build a stronger, better country for all of us. Not to mentionpadding out the front lines of a few of NHL teams in the process!

But seriously, ladies and gentlemen, the same values that guide community members here inCanada are also inspiring your friends and loved ones living in Macedonia. Since Macedonia declaredits independence in 1991, the country has made great strides in democratic and economic progress. And although there have been, and will yet be, challenges, along the way, Macedonia is already provingitself an important member of the European family.

I know that you will all keep a close watch, all of you, on developments in Macedonia, just asyou continue to contribute each and every day to building a stronger Canada. One of our great strengthsas Canadians is that we learn from our history; we are not enslaved by it. We put old arguments behindus and focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.

And I know Macedonian-Canadians, through their hard work and commitment to community,will always be at the forefront of the effort to move this country forward.

Once again, I want to thank the United Macedonians Organization of Canada for the opportunityto join you in tonight’s celebration, and I wish you 50 more years of success! Thank you.

Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup. Blagodaram. And before I leave the stage I want topresent on behalf of all of you, I want to present Dragi with a certificate marking the 50th anniversaryof this organization’s founding and all of its achievements here in Canada.

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Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests, Prime Minister I am honoured to have been asked todayto present on behalf of the Canadian Macedonian hockey league a present to you Mr. Prime Ministerbut just a couple of facts.

Our league has been around for over 30 years and now participates in the annual OMNI TVmulticultural hockey tournament every Christmas.

The Macedonian community has a very rich history, we’ve been here for a hundred plus yearswith Macedonian immigrants coming in the 1890’s, seeking a better life from the oppression of thegovernments of Greece and Bulgaria and sadly this oppression continues today. Macedonians quicklyadapted to Canada and became important contributors to the Canadian way of life.

In terms of hockey in the 40’s and 50’s it was a Macedonian by the name of Tommy Ivan fromZhelevo who recruited and coached Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe and later Bobby Hull. Today many ofthe elite Canadian players in the NHL include Steve Staios in Edmonton Oilers, Ed Jovanovski in

Speech by William JankovskiRepresentative of the Macedonian Lions Hockey Team

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Phoenix Coyotes, José Theodore in Washington Capitals, Steven Stamkos in Tampa Bay Lightening,Mike Zigomanis in Pittsburg Penguins and Tom Kostopoulos in Montreal Canadians. Even more, twoof these players Steven Stamkos and Ed Jovanovski were first overall picks in the world of the NHL.Also it must be noted that the most successful owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs in history was the lateSteve Stavro.

Now Mister Prime Minister I would like to invite you and make you an honourary member ofour team, the Macedonian Lions Hockey Club.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was presented with a Macedonian Lions Hockey Club jerseywith his name and the number 09

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Dragi Stojkovski: The Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski planned to honour us withhis presence tonight. Unfortunately, he was forced to choose between this event and a very importantEuro-Atlantic conference in Munich. Keeping in mind Macedonia’s desire to join NATO and the EU,we understand his decision to travel there. In fact, today the Macedonian Prime Minister met withCanadian defense minister Peter McKay at the 45th Munich Security Conference. It’s been speculatedthat Peter McKay may be the new head of NATO. We hope that Mr. Mckay would support Macedonia’srightful place in NATO.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski sent us the following greeting:

Your Excellency, Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada,Distinguished representatives of the Canadian Government,Distinguished President of the “United Macedonians” organization, Mr. Dragi Stojkovski.Your Excellencies,

Greetings from the Macedonian Prime Minister NikolaGruevski for the “Gotse Delchev Night”

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Brothers and sisters from the Macedonian Diaspora in Toronto and Canada,Please allow me in my personal name and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of

Macedonia, to extend my greetings to all of you present tonight at the traditional solemn academy“Goce’s night” and at the same time to congratulate you on the great jubilee, 50 years of the establishmentof the “United Macedonians” organization.

In this period when we are marking the 137th anniversary of the birth of the Apostle of theMacedonian revolution Goce Delchev and the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the “UnitedMacedonians” organization, this all-Macedonian gathering is taking place, being a proof of the strongand permanent tie of the Macedonian emigrants with their roots and their homeland, the Republic ofMacedonia. It is precisely your long tradition that is evidence that, neither the distance, nor the manyyears of living and working in Canada, have separated the Macedonian emigrants from their identity,cultural tradition and customs.

You have always been and remained the greatest ambassadors and promoters of the Republicof Macedonia and therefore, your integration and enhancement of the links with the birth country, bybeing involved in the reform, economic and political processes of the country holds special importancefor the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.

In this occasion, I would also like to extend regards to my colleague, the Prime Minister ofCanada, Stephen Harper, as well as the other guests from the Government of Canada present at thissolemn academy, and at the same time to convey my personal gratitude and the gratitude of theMacedonian people to the Prime Minister Harper and the state of Canada for the overall support thisfriendly country provides to us in the field of the European and Euro-Atlantic integrations, as well asfor the recognition of our Constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia. For a small country likeours, this support and friendship is of a great importance for us and we attach a special attention andpriority to it. Canada is a country with which we had an excellent cooperation in the past period inmany fields and good mutual relations, and I hope that in the forthcoming period we will have anopportunity with the Prime Minister Harper to exchange in person opinions towards furtherintensification and deepening of the relations and cooperation between our two countries.

Conveying once more my regards to everybody present at this gathering, I would like to expressmy great respect and recognition to the members of the Macedonian Diaspora in Canada, for yourpersistence in the cherishing, developing and affirmation of the Macedonian national, cultural, linguisticand spiritual identity. It is one of the main pillars of the existence of the Macedonian nation andsovereignty of our country.

I would like to congratulate you the jubilee of your organization and long live the tradition ofholding such gatherings.

Nikola GRUEVSKIPresident of the Governmentof the Republic of Macedonia

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Counter-clockwise View of the Guests

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The First Dance (Oro) Led by the President of “UnitedMacedonians” Stojkovski and Vice-President Bakalovski

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Reply Letter from Prime Minister’s Office Regarding “United Macedonians” Campaign forCanada’s Recognition of the Constitutional Name of the Republic of Macedonia

Organizacijata Obedineti Makedonci vo Kanada e najstarata makedonskanacionalna i kulturna organizacija vo iseleni{tvoto. Osnovana 1959 godina, socel da go unapreduva edinstvoto me|u Makedoncite na kontinentot i {irum svetot,bez razlika na nivnata verska pripadnost ili politi~ko ubeduvawe. Organizacijatabe{e i ostana sto`er vo borbata protiv site stranski propagandi koi se stremea iseu{te se stremat da gi odnarodat Makedoncite na Severno-amerikanskiotkontinent. Za pove}e podatoci, posetete n# na na{ata mre`na stranawww.unitedmacedonians.org ili javete se na [email protected].

The United Macedonians Organization of Canada is the oldest and largest Macedonian nationaland cultural organization in the Diaspora. Founded on April 28, 1959, in Toronto, with the mission topromote unity and friendship among all Macedonians on this continent and elsewhere, regardless oftheir religious beliefs, political opinions or affiliations, the Organization was and remained a pillar inthe fight against all foreign propagandas whose aim was and still is to achieve the demise of theMacedonians on the North-American continent and elsewhere. For more information visit our websitewww.unitedmacedonians.org or write to us at [email protected].


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