Macedonian Canadians
Encyclopedia
Macedonian Canadians are a group of ethnic Macedonians who live in Canada
.
) in Aegean Macedonia
. Other Macedonian organizations were soon established by emigrants from Zagorichani (Vassiliada), Oshtima (Trigonon), Smardesh (Krystallopigi
), Gabresh (Gavros), Banitsa (Vevi
), Buf (Akritas) and Tarsie (Trivuno), all villages in Aegean Macedonia. An Internal Census counted 1910 Macedonians in Toronto, who were principally from Florina
(Lerin) and Kastoria
(Kostur) in Aegean Macedonia
. In 1910 they established Sts. Cyril and Methody Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Toronto. By 1940 there were claims that over 1200 Macedonian families were in Canada. Post World War II and Greek Civil War
migration cause the numbers of Macedonians in Canada to swell. Many early Macedonian immigrants found industrial work in Toronto
, either as factory hands or labourers in abattoirs, or in iron and steel foundries. Many ended up running and owning restaurants, butchers and groceries. Macedonian entrepreneurs and their descendants eventually employed their numerical strength within the food service industry as a catapult into a variety of larger and more sophisticated ventures. Today, most Macedonian Canadians have moved out of cities and into the suburbs, and are employed in the professional, clerical, and service sector of the economy. The 2001 census
recorded 31,265 Macedonians, while the 2006 census
recorded 37,705 people of Macedonian Ancestry. Although Community Spokesperson's claim they number over 100,000. The "Institute for Macedonian's Abroad" claims that there are 120,000 Macedonians in Canada. The Macedonian Government estimates that there are 150,000 Macedonians in Canada.
In the first half of the 20th century, most of the Macedonians were largely classified as Bulgarians
or Macedono-Bulgarians. At that time the political organization by the Slavic immigrants from the region of Macedonia - the Macedonian Patriotic Organization
has also promoted the idea of Macedonian Slavs being Bulgarians
.
emigrated to Canada in the 20th century. They settled primarily in Ontario
, especially Toronto
. Many early Aegean Macedonian immigrants found industrial work in Toronto or set up Market Gardeners. Later migrants found work as factory in abattoirs and foundries. Many Aegean Macedonians are parishioners of the Macedonian Orthodox Church
. They set up many organizations such as The Lerin Region Macedonian Cultural Association of Ontario. In 1979 "The Association of Refugee Children from Aegean Macedonia" (ARCAM) was set up in order to unite the former child refugees from all over the world. It was reported that chapters had been set up in Toronto
, Melbourne, Perth
, the Republic of Macedonia
, Slovakia
, Czech Republic
and Poland
.
Many Macedonians originally settled in industrial areas. Most Macedonians came to Canada
via the process of Chain Migration.
and the 1963 Skopje earthquake
were held. Other Establishments such as the Canadian Macedonian Restaurant Co-op (1970), Canadian Macedonian Business and Professional Association, Canadian Macedonian Historical Society and Macedonian Canadian Medical Society (1992) have been founded in recent years. Youth organizations such as "Macedonian Association of Canadian Youth", "Ryerson Association of Macedonian Students" and the "Association of Macedonian Students at the University of Toronto" are also in operation.
. They were St Clement of Ohrid
, St Demetrius of Salonica
, St Ilija, St Nedela and St Naum of Ohrid. The Only Macedonian Cathedral is also the largest Macedonian church community in Canada is St Clement of Ohrid in Toronto.
Sports
Politics
Academia
Television and Entertainment
Art
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
Many Macedonians emigrated to Canada as "pečalbari" (seasonal workers) in the late 19th and early 20th century. Thousands of Macedonians emigrated to Canada after the failure of the Ilinden Uprising. The first Macedonian organizations were the Zhelevo Benevolence Brotherhood and the Oschima Benefit Society "St. Nicholas", both established in 1907 in Toronto by emigrants from Zhelevo (Antartiko) and Oschnima (TrigononTrigonon
A Trigonon is a small triangular harp occasionally used by the ancient Greeks and probably derived from Assyria or Egypt. The trigonon is thought to be either a variety of the sambuca or identical with it....
) in Aegean Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
. Other Macedonian organizations were soon established by emigrants from Zagorichani (Vassiliada), Oshtima (Trigonon), Smardesh (Krystallopigi
Krystallopigi
Krystallopigi is a former community in Florina regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Krystallopigi means "crystal source". Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Prespes, of which it is a municipal unit. The population is 383 . The main village is also called...
), Gabresh (Gavros), Banitsa (Vevi
Vevi
Vevi, rarely Veve is a village located in the municipal unit of Meliti in Florina peripheral unit, Macedonia, Greece. The village is passed by two national roads which lead to Thessaloniki, Florina, Amyntaio, and Kozani...
), Buf (Akritas) and Tarsie (Trivuno), all villages in Aegean Macedonia. An Internal Census counted 1910 Macedonians in Toronto, who were principally from Florina
Florina
Florina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
(Lerin) and Kastoria
Kastoria
Kastoria is a city in northern Greece in the periphery of West Macedonia. It is the capital of Kastoria peripheral unit. It is situated on a promontory on the western shore of Lake Orestiada, in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains...
(Kostur) in Aegean Macedonia
Macedonia (Greece)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
. In 1910 they established Sts. Cyril and Methody Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Toronto. By 1940 there were claims that over 1200 Macedonian families were in Canada. Post World War II and Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
migration cause the numbers of Macedonians in Canada to swell. Many early Macedonian immigrants found industrial work in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, either as factory hands or labourers in abattoirs, or in iron and steel foundries. Many ended up running and owning restaurants, butchers and groceries. Macedonian entrepreneurs and their descendants eventually employed their numerical strength within the food service industry as a catapult into a variety of larger and more sophisticated ventures. Today, most Macedonian Canadians have moved out of cities and into the suburbs, and are employed in the professional, clerical, and service sector of the economy. The 2001 census
Canada 2001 Census
The Canada 2001 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 15, 2001. On that day, Statistics Canada attempted to count every person in Canada. The total population count of Canada was 30,007,094. This was a 4% increase over 1996 Census of 28,846,761. In...
recorded 31,265 Macedonians, while the 2006 census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
recorded 37,705 people of Macedonian Ancestry. Although Community Spokesperson's claim they number over 100,000. The "Institute for Macedonian's Abroad" claims that there are 120,000 Macedonians in Canada. The Macedonian Government estimates that there are 150,000 Macedonians in Canada.
In the first half of the 20th century, most of the Macedonians were largely classified as Bulgarians
Bulgarians
The Bulgarians are a South Slavic nation and ethnic group native to Bulgaria and neighbouring regions. Emigration has resulted in immigrant communities in a number of other countries.-History and ethnogenesis:...
or Macedono-Bulgarians. At that time the political organization by the Slavic immigrants from the region of Macedonia - the Macedonian Patriotic Organization
Macedonian Patriotic Organization
Macedonian Patriotic Organization is a political organization founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the United States in 1922 by immigrants from Greek Macedonia. It was originally called the Macedonian Political Organization but changed its name in 1952. From 1926 it has published the newspaper...
has also promoted the idea of Macedonian Slavs being Bulgarians
Bulgarians
The Bulgarians are a South Slavic nation and ethnic group native to Bulgaria and neighbouring regions. Emigration has resulted in immigrant communities in a number of other countries.-History and ethnogenesis:...
.
Aegean Macedonians
Many thousands of Aegean MacedoniansAegean Macedonians
Slavic speakers are a linguistic minority population in the northern Greek region of Macedonia who are mostly concentrated in certain parts of the peripheries of West and Central Macedonia, adjacent to the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. A smaller group exists in East Macedonia adjacent to...
emigrated to Canada in the 20th century. They settled primarily in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, especially Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Many early Aegean Macedonian immigrants found industrial work in Toronto or set up Market Gardeners. Later migrants found work as factory in abattoirs and foundries. Many Aegean Macedonians are parishioners of the Macedonian Orthodox Church
Macedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric or just Macedonian Orthodox Church is the body of Christians who are united under the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, exercising jurisdiction over Macedonian Orthodox Christians in the Republic of Macedonia and in exarchates in the Macedonian...
. They set up many organizations such as The Lerin Region Macedonian Cultural Association of Ontario. In 1979 "The Association of Refugee Children from Aegean Macedonia" (ARCAM) was set up in order to unite the former child refugees from all over the world. It was reported that chapters had been set up in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Melbourne, Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Settlement patterns
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
via the process of Chain Migration.
Organizations
Many Macedonian Organizations have been set up by the Macedonians in Canada. Village associations from villages such as Banitsa, Osčima, Bouf and Želevo have been set up. A Macedonian Boys club was founded in Toronto in 1915. Community picnics were also very common amongst Macedonian emigrants. Macedonian basketball and hockey team were founded. Fundraisers for assistance for the Greek Civil WarGreek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
and the 1963 Skopje earthquake
1963 Skopje earthquake
The 1963 Skopje earthquake was an 6.1 moment magnitude earthquake which occurred in Skopje, SR Macedonia then part of the SFR Yugoslavia, on July 26, 1963 which killed over 1,070 people, injured between 3,000 and 4,000 and left more than 200,000 people homeless...
were held. Other Establishments such as the Canadian Macedonian Restaurant Co-op (1970), Canadian Macedonian Business and Professional Association, Canadian Macedonian Historical Society and Macedonian Canadian Medical Society (1992) have been founded in recent years. Youth organizations such as "Macedonian Association of Canadian Youth", "Ryerson Association of Macedonian Students" and the "Association of Macedonian Students at the University of Toronto" are also in operation.
Religion
Originally Macedonian churches were established under the Bulgarian Diocese of America, Canada and Australia. The church Saint's Cyril and Methodius was consecrated in Toronto in 1910. This was followed by the St. George Macedono-Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Holy Trinity Macedono-Bulgarian Church. Post War immigrants built churches under the jurisdiction of the Macedonian Orthodox ChurchMacedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric or just Macedonian Orthodox Church is the body of Christians who are united under the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, exercising jurisdiction over Macedonian Orthodox Christians in the Republic of Macedonia and in exarchates in the Macedonian...
. They were St Clement of Ohrid
St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church, Toronto
St. Clement of Ohrid , is the first Macedonian Orthodox Church in Canada and one of the oldest in the American-Canadian Diocese. It is located in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
, St Demetrius of Salonica
St. Dimitrija Solunski Macedonian Orthodox Church, Markham, Ontario
St. Dimitrija Solunski , also known as St. Demetrius of Salonica, is a Macedonian Orthodox Church located in Markham, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, St Ilija, St Nedela and St Naum of Ohrid. The Only Macedonian Cathedral is also the largest Macedonian church community in Canada is St Clement of Ohrid in Toronto.
Notable Macedonian Canadians
Business- John BitoveJohn BitoveJohn I. Bitove, is a Canadian-Macedonian businessman and sportsman. He is the major shareholder and chairman of Scott's Real Estate Investment Trust and Sirius XM Canada. While controlling several public and private businesses, he has recently expanded into telecommunications with a company he...
- Chairman and CEO of Obelysk Funds, the Priszm Canadian Income Fund, Scott's Real Estate Investment TrustScott's Real Estate Investment TrustScott's Real Estate Investment Trust is a publicly traded real estate investment trust in Canada that owns over 200 retail properties comprising more than in 7 provinces across the country...
, and Canadian Satellite Radio - John Bitove, Sr.John Bitove, Sr.John L.N. Bitove, Sr., CM is a Canadian businessman of Macedonian descent.-Early life:John L.N. Bitove, Sr. was born in Toronto to Macedonian immigrants Nicholas and Vana. His parents immigrated to Canada after World War I in 1919 from Gavros, a village located in the Kastoria Prefecture of...
- Businessman and philanthropist - Steve StavroSteve StavroSteve Atanas Stavro, CM , born Manoli Stavroff Sholdas, was a Macedonian Canadian businessman, grocery store magnate, Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder, sports team owner, and a noted philanthropist....
- Businessman and philanthropist - Lou Naumovski - Vice President, Commercial and General Director, Russia, for Kinross Gold Corporation
- Susan Niczowski - CEO and founder of Summer Fresh Salads Inc.
Sports
- Brett Bitove - Collegiate basketball player
- Tommy IvanTommy IvanThomas Nathaniel Ivan was a NHL head coach for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Black Hawks. With the Red Wings from 1947 to 1954, he won three Stanley Cups, and would win another while serving as the Black Hawks' GM...
- NHL coach, winner of 4 Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s - Ed JovanovskiEd JovanovskiEdward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
- NHL player - Dan JancevskiDan JancevskiDan Jancevski is a Macedonian Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- NHL defenseman - Steven StamkosSteven StamkosSteven Stamkos is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Stamkos was the first overall pick in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, from the Markham Waxers of the OMHA. Playing with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey...
- NHL player - Steve StaiosSteve StaiosSteven Staios is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has played both right wing and defence in the NHL.-Playing career:...
- NHL player - Michael ZigomanisMichael ZigomanisMichael "Mike" Zigomanis is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He is currently with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization of the National Hockey League.-Early life:...
- NHL player - José ThéodoreJosé ThéodoreJosé Théodore is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
- NHL player
Politics
- Lui TemelkovskiLui TemelkovskiLubomir "Lui" Temelkovski is a Canadian federal politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the riding of Oak Ridges—Markham in Ontario, representing the Liberal Party of Canada. He was first elected in the 2004 federal election and was re-elected in the 2006 election...
- Liberal MP Oak Ridges-Markham 2006-2008 - Dusko Janusev - Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs - Food Safety Program Support
Academia
- Boris P. StoicheffBoris P. StoicheffBoris P. Stoicheff was a Macedonian Canadian physicist.Stoicheff was born in Bitola, in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia . He emigrated with his family to Canada as a young child in 1931, and grew up in Toronto...
- physicist - Andrew RossosAndrew RossosAndrew Rossos is Canadian Macedonian historian, Professor at the University of Toronto.-Biography:Rosos was born Diko Roshovski in Vambel village, Kastoria prefecture, Greece in 1941. During the civil war in Greece in 1948 he was evacuated in Czechoslovakia as a refugee child. Rossos studied at...
- historian
Television and Entertainment
- Ziya TongZiya TongZiya Tong is a television personality and producer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is of Chinese and Macedonian descent, and was born in London, England and later lived in Hong Kong.Tong moved from Hong Kong to Canada when she was 11....
- Television producer - Justin PeroffJustin PeroffJustin Peter Papadimitriou , family name changed to Peroff, is best known as the drummer for the Toronto based indie rock collective Broken Social Scene. He was also a member of Junior Blue, a collaboration with Dylan Hudecki of By Divine Right...
- Drummer of Broken Social SceneBroken Social SceneBroken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
. - Ted KotcheffTed KotcheffTed Kotcheff , sometimes credited as William Kotcheff or William T. Kotcheff, is a Canadian film and television director, who is well known for his work on several high-profile British television productions and as a director of films such as First Blood.-Early life:Kotcheff was born William...
- Film and television director
Art
- Michael Close - Painter
See also
- United Macedonians OrganizationUnited Macedonians OrganizationThe United Macedonians Organization of Canada is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1959 and based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada addressing the interests and needs of the Macedonian community of Canada...
- Macedonian Patriotic OrganizationMacedonian Patriotic OrganizationMacedonian Patriotic Organization is a political organization founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the United States in 1922 by immigrants from Greek Macedonia. It was originally called the Macedonian Political Organization but changed its name in 1952. From 1926 it has published the newspaper...
- United Macedonian DiasporaUnited Macedonian DiasporaThe United Macedonian Diaspora is an international membership organization founded in 2004 and based in Washington, D.C. addressing the interests and needs of Macedonian communities throughout the world...
External links
- Macedonian Community of Toronto Blog
- Macedonia Canadian Newspaper
- Headquarters of the Macedonian Community in Canada
- United Macedonians of Canada
- Macedonian Human Rights Movement
- Canadian Macedonian Historical Society
- United Macedonian Diaspora
- Macedonian Embassy in Canada
- St Clement of Ohrid, Toronto
- Macedonian Centre for Culture and Social Integration