The Saskatchewan N-D-P introduced a private member’s bill in the Legislature Wednesday seeking to declare that September be recognized as Ukrainian Heritage Month in the province.

In a news release from the New Democrats, M-L-A for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood Keith Jorgenson said, “Ukrainian Canadians helped build this province. This bill is about honouring that legacy and recognizing the deep roots of Ukrainian heritage in Saskatchewan.” The bill aims to acknowledge the many contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to the province’s history, economy and culture. September was chosen because it marks the arrival of the first documented Ukrainian immigrants to Canada in 1891. Saskatchewan is home to more than 160-thousand people of Ukrainian descent, one of the highest proportions in Canada.