Nataliya Popovych
2026 UCC-OPC Trillium Award — Cultural Preservation and Development
Cultural Preservation and Development
Nataliya Popovych
Наталія Попович
Natalka Popovych was born in the Lviv region. Her father came from a repressed family, and her mother's family survived the Holodomor. Raised in a patriotic household, she developed a deep love for Ukrainians — especially through Ukrainian songs — and stayed active in creative pursuits from her school years. After completing two higher education programs, including a degree at Lviv National University's Faculty of Law, she moved to Canada in 2002 and immediately became involved in community work. She joined the Toronto branch of the League of Ukrainian Women of Canada, sang with the women's choir "Dibrova," and chaired the administrative committee for ensembles connected with the Toronto CYM. She worked in advertising at KS Buduchnist and now serves as director and host of the radio program "Pisnya Ukrainy." Popovych organized public events and concerts, wrote scripts for celebrations honouring historical figures, and published many articles in local newspapers. As chairwoman of the League's Ukrainian Women of Canada Committee in Toronto, she organized the Heroine Festival "Rebellious Tango" and helped introduce Toronto to songwriter Olea Ilkiv. She is the author of five books, including Dolya, and since 2014 has led fundraising projects for Ukrainian defenders, including the annual "Vechornytsia" initiative. Her guiding slogan is "God and Ukraine."