Born in rural Saskatchewan, the oldest of seven, Nellie Ortensky and her siblings lived an early life not far removed from that of her forebears. They helped with housework and on the farm; learned to cook; and looked after the younger children. Ukrainian was the language of the household, and old country culture predominated.

At 13, she was sent to attend high school in Camsack, 11 miles away, and went on to study at the Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon. There she met her husband, Andrew Pawlik, rector of the school.

In her adult years, married and living in Winnipeg, she started the local branch of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada.

At 81 years of age, Canadian-born Nellie Pawlik still works to preserve the heritage of her Ukrainian ancestors and their experiences in Western Canada. Between caring for her family and her prize-winning garden, Nellie mobilizes hundreds of volunteers for a bi-monthly perogie bake sale that raises funds for the Winnipeg Ukrainian Museum.

Length: 23:44
Original Format: Video
Originally Broadcast: July 26, 1994 on CBC Television

• Ukrainians in Saskatchewan - a few historical highlights.
• Ukrainian Language and Culture - compiled by Linda Hodges.
• Ukrainian Christmas Eve Recipes - several traditional dishes, all meat-free.

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Daisy Lee (Toronto, Ontario) is a second generation Chinese-Canadian farmer/filmmaker who believes that the only difference between farming and filming is, well, two letters. Her first documentary, The Morning Zoo is a film about the oldest profession in the world (farming that is). She is currently working on a recipe for the first Chinese perogie, the proceeds of which she will use to fund her next production, a half-hour drama called PONG! Daisy is also finishing her feature length screenplay, Mayflowers.