Community coming together under one roof

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This article was published 07/01/2019 (2685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Members of Winnipeg’s Polish community recently celebrated a significant historical milestone.

In November, the Polish Association ‘Sokol’ of St. Boniface celebrated “its 90th year of service to the Polish community in St. Boniface and the greater Winnipeg area,” said key organizer Michael Kulasza.

“Standing on a quiet corner at 523 Doucet St., Sokol St. Boniface — as it is better known — was founded during a time of mass immigration of Poles to Winnipeg and St. Boniface between the two world wars,” Kulasza said, reflecting on the historical beginnings of the organization that was officially incorporated on Nov. 17, 1928.   

At Sokol’s traditional Andrzejki event on Nov. 24, which attracted hundreds of attendees, Kulasza — the Canadian Polish Congress (Manitoba District) vice-president — presented a certificate of achievement to Polish Association ‘Sokol’ of St. Boniface president Peter Arlukiewicz. Kulasza was acting on behalf of the district’s president Grazyna Galezowski. A number of former presidents of the organization were also in attendance that evening, Kulasza said.

“Andrzejki is a Polish tradition that’s held near the advent, near Christmas time, when girls would look to the future to see what it holds for them, and whether they would meet their husband or have children in the coming year,” Kulasza said.

“Polish people have numerous traditions, especially revolving around Easter and Christmas, and I think it’s important to keep these going.”

At a later event, Marian Jaworski — president of the Polish Gymnastic Association ‘Sokol’ Winnipeg — also congratulated Sokol St. Boniface on its anniversary by presenting the organization with an ornate glass trophy.

Since opening its doors nine decades ago, Sokol St. Boniface has organized countless cultural events, sponsored various sports teams, and “held many more activities that celebrated the heritage of a growing Polish population in Winnipeg,” Kulasza said, adding the organization also has a diverse outlook in terms of its reach.  

“Basically, the organization has represented the needs of the Polish community in St. Boniface, but not exclusively the needs of Polish people,” Kulasza said.

“The organization has also welcomed countless Winnipeg residents of non-Polish descent to its facility, where their families and friends could celebrate their milestones and achievements, such as birthday parties and weddings. The hall is also available to rent out, and it’s really all about the community coming together under one roof, as it’s a place for community.”

Kulasza, who lives in St. Vital and is also the communications liaison for Sokol St. Boniface, said the organization arranged several events during 2018 to mark the milestone anniversary, including a kids day event in June.

He’s looking forward to a “great year” and believes this year will be a “strong one” for Sokol St. Boniface. “I’m hoping people will come and spend time with us,” he said.

Go online at sokolstboniface.ca for more information about the organization. Email sokolstbonifacerental@gmail.com for facility rental information.