Ramon "Ray" Hnatyshyn served as Canada's governor general between 1990 and 1995. Descended from a Ukrainian family, Ray Hnatyshyn was born in Saskatoon and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. He was called to the bar in 1957 and practiced law for many years.
In 1974 he was elected to the House of Commons as Conservative Member for Biggar. He served as a cabinet minister under two Prime Ministers, Brian Mulroney and Joe Clark. In 1984 he was named House Leader and later served in the Privy Council.
In 1992 as governor general, he established the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. It was also during his tenure that the grounds of Rideau Hall, the governor general's official residence in Ottawa, were opened to the public.
The Hnayshyn statue (below) was commissioned by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. According to the Saskatchewan Arts Board, it was meant to celebrate Canada's 125th birthday, a century of Ukrainian settlement, and the vibrant success of Canadian multiculturalism. It stands near University Bridge in Saskatoon. Hnatyshyn died in 2002.
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