In the news...
SaskBooks Book Week 2022
All the public Saskatchewan Book Week events are now up on Youtube, and soon Facebook as well. Book Week 2022 is completely viewable digitally.
* How to cook Borscht with Marion Mutala!
LINK TO SASKATCHEWAN BOOK WEEK YOUTUBE PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHDwqkUyd2HFp50r3pvASWw
LINK TO THE PLAYLIST: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOk-cPJjeBKFTU610HJUbRTC68cccbj0
* How to cook Borscht with Marion Mutala!
LINK TO SASKATCHEWAN BOOK WEEK YOUTUBE PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHDwqkUyd2HFp50r3pvASWw
LINK TO THE PLAYLIST: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOk-cPJjeBKFTU610HJUbRTC68cccbj0
Indigenous people show support for Ukraine with campaign to show off floral scarves - CTV News
Talkingbooksandstuff's podcast
Episode 114 - Marion Mutala - Jul 16, 2021Marion Mutala has a master’s degree in educational administration and taught for 30 years. With a passion for the arts, she loves to write, sing, play pickle-ball, play guitar, travel and read. Marion is the author of the National Bestselling, Award-winning Children’s Books series, Baba’s Babushka.
Book series draws on Ukrainian heritage
Calvin Daniels / Yorkton This Week JANUARY 30, 2021
Long-time readers of Yorkton This Week might recall the name Marion Mutala.
Way back in 2012 the Saskatchewan-based author was in the city giving readings from Baba's Babushka:A Magical Ukrainian Christmas and Easter, a children's book drawn from Mutala's Ukrainian heritage.
Then in 2020 an article appeared regarding the author's release of My Dearest Dido: The Holodomor Story a passionate account of the Great Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor. Based on actual events and documented eyewitness accounts, this story consists of correspondence between two fictional characters – Hanusia Hrabowa in Saskatoon and her grandfather, Dido Bohdan, in Hafford, SK, supplemented by Hanusia's personal diary. The book is now available in audio form too.
And now Mutala, who grew up in the Hanley/Keaston area, but has lived in Saskatoon since 1980, has released Baba's Babushka: A Magical Journey to Ukraine which follows Baba's Babushka: Magical Ukrainian Adventure which has her first book in the series.
Tell us a bit about the story? Genre?
READ MORE
https://www.yorktonthisweek.com/regional-news/book-series-draws-on-ukrainian-heritage-1.24273460
Way back in 2012 the Saskatchewan-based author was in the city giving readings from Baba's Babushka:A Magical Ukrainian Christmas and Easter, a children's book drawn from Mutala's Ukrainian heritage.
Then in 2020 an article appeared regarding the author's release of My Dearest Dido: The Holodomor Story a passionate account of the Great Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor. Based on actual events and documented eyewitness accounts, this story consists of correspondence between two fictional characters – Hanusia Hrabowa in Saskatoon and her grandfather, Dido Bohdan, in Hafford, SK, supplemented by Hanusia's personal diary. The book is now available in audio form too.
And now Mutala, who grew up in the Hanley/Keaston area, but has lived in Saskatoon since 1980, has released Baba's Babushka: A Magical Journey to Ukraine which follows Baba's Babushka: Magical Ukrainian Adventure which has her first book in the series.
Tell us a bit about the story? Genre?
READ MORE
https://www.yorktonthisweek.com/regional-news/book-series-draws-on-ukrainian-heritage-1.24273460
The Saskatoon StarPhoenix - Bridges (November 5, 2020)
Read My Book: Baba's Babushka now an anthology
Baba and Dido and Natalia go to Kyiv to see all the magical historical sites.
https://thestarphoenix.com/life/bridges/read-my-book-babas-babushka-now-an-anthology
Baba and Dido and Natalia go to Kyiv to see all the magical historical sites.
https://thestarphoenix.com/life/bridges/read-my-book-babas-babushka-now-an-anthology
Winners of 2020 HREC Educator Award for Holodomor lesson plans are announced
2020 Online NBCRA Honouree Announcement
Congratulations to the following honourees who were formally presented last Sunday:
Top row Nation Builders Awards: • Lesia Maruschak (Alvena-Ottawa) • Bishop Emeritus Michael Wiwchar, CSsR (Komarno, MB-Ituna) Community Recognition Awards: • Judy-Anne Chabun (Canora-Saskatoon) Cultural Preservation & Development / Creativity & Innovation • Mary Humen (Krydor-Saskatoon) Leadership / Volunteerism • Elsie Michayluk (Rosthern-Hafford) Cultural Preservation & Development |
Bottom row Community Recognition Awards: • Marion Mutala (Kenaston-Saskatoon) Creativity & Innovation • Rose Mydynski (Arran) Volunteerism • Leona Procyshyn (Regina-Yorkton) Leadership / Volunteerism • Kalicia Chorney (Nipawin-Saskatoon) Youth Achievement • Ethan Fedorchuk (Swan River, MB-Saskatoon) Youth Achievement |
Former CBC journalist and producer Rosalie Woloski talks to the award recipients one-on-one and gives us a sense of who they are and "what makes them tick.
National Best-Selling, Award-Winning Author to visit Battlefords – November 20
https://battlefordsnow.com/2019/11/18/national-best-selling-award-winning-author-to-visit-battlefords-november-20/
Nov 18, 2019
The book launch will be part of the Holodomor Commemorative event at the Chapel Gallery on Wednesday, November 20, at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:40.
has penned her 11th book.
My Dearest Dido : The Holodomor Story is a haunting account of the innocent victims of Stalin’s vicious regime known as the Holodomor. The Holodomor, or “death by starvation” took place during the winter of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.
The story is based on the voices of survivors and told through the eyes of Dido Bohdan and his granddaughter Hanusia. The Holodomor, or great Ukrainian Famine, was engineered by Joseph Stalin as a way to decrease, if not eliminate, the attitudes of political independence among Ukrainian farmers who were not keen on the economic policies inside the communist Soviet Union.
Death by starvation was Stalin’s attempt to control Ukraine by starving millions of families, and re-populating empty villages with communist-minded Russians moved in to settle the country. Stalin achieved the Holodomor by silencing the media, sealing the borders, removing all foodstuffs, and destroying all methods of food production such as pots, ovens, etc.
The cover art of the book is beautifully and powerfully illustrated by Ukrainian artist Olha Tkachenko, who has illustrated two of Mutala’s other books. The Baba Babushka series is very popular; My Buddy Dido was short-listed for a Best Children’s Book nomination award at High Plains Book Awards in Montana, USA.
The launch of My Dearest Dido will coincide with Holodomor Awareness week across Canada during the 4th week of November. Schools in the Battlefords will participate in a variety of events intended to increase awareness of the Holodomor genocide. Marion will be doing school visits during the day.
Everyone is invited to attend the Holodomor Commemoration event at the Chapel Gallery at 7:00pm on Wednesday, November 20. My Dearest Dido is available at www.amazon.ca. Visit Marion Mutala’s website at www.babababushka.ca
Remembering the Holodomor Ukrainian famine and genocide - by Angela Brown
https://battlefordsnow.com/2019/11/21/remembering-the-holodomor-ukrainian-famine-and-genocide/
Nov 21, 2019
Denied food and sustenance, millions of Ukrainian families starved to death in the Soviet Union from 1932 to 1933 in what is known as a famine and mass genocide.
Marion Mutala wanted to tell the stories of some of the families affected by the tragedy and those who lived through it, so more people would learn about the Holodomor and would never forget.
The Saskatoon-based award-winning author read from her new book My Dearest Dido: The Holodomor Story at the annual Holodomor Commemorative event in North Battleford Wednesday night.
She described the dictatorship rule under Joseph Stalin as a tragic period in history that resulted in the death of from four to 12 million people. Mutala said Stalin wanted to get rid of Ukrainian culture. Eventually, people weren’t allowed to speak their language. She related he wanted to banish the churches and icons, as well, and “all things that are important to Ukrainian people,” as part of his plan to seize their land.
People protested and tried to fight back, she said, but Stalin essentially locked them in the villages so they weren’t even allowed to leave.
“There was no food. Soldiers came and took away the seed grain, everything. So basically they starved to death,” Mutala said.
“It’s a horrific thing to talk about. When you research it to see that this happened to real people; it’s very disturbing,” she added. “I didn’t think I could [take on the project]. But I think the Holy Spirit inspired me how to do it, by inventing these characters writing to each other, and then the story unfolds in the letters.”
During her presentation at the Chapel Gallery Mutala who is also a retired teacher read an excerpt from My Dearest Dido accompanied by Jim Shevchuk, a superintendent at Living Sky School Division.
https://battlefordsnow.com/2019/11/21/remembering-the-holodomor-ukrainian-famine-and-genocide/
Nov 21, 2019
Denied food and sustenance, millions of Ukrainian families starved to death in the Soviet Union from 1932 to 1933 in what is known as a famine and mass genocide.
Marion Mutala wanted to tell the stories of some of the families affected by the tragedy and those who lived through it, so more people would learn about the Holodomor and would never forget.
The Saskatoon-based award-winning author read from her new book My Dearest Dido: The Holodomor Story at the annual Holodomor Commemorative event in North Battleford Wednesday night.
She described the dictatorship rule under Joseph Stalin as a tragic period in history that resulted in the death of from four to 12 million people. Mutala said Stalin wanted to get rid of Ukrainian culture. Eventually, people weren’t allowed to speak their language. She related he wanted to banish the churches and icons, as well, and “all things that are important to Ukrainian people,” as part of his plan to seize their land.
People protested and tried to fight back, she said, but Stalin essentially locked them in the villages so they weren’t even allowed to leave.
“There was no food. Soldiers came and took away the seed grain, everything. So basically they starved to death,” Mutala said.
“It’s a horrific thing to talk about. When you research it to see that this happened to real people; it’s very disturbing,” she added. “I didn’t think I could [take on the project]. But I think the Holy Spirit inspired me how to do it, by inventing these characters writing to each other, and then the story unfolds in the letters.”
During her presentation at the Chapel Gallery Mutala who is also a retired teacher read an excerpt from My Dearest Dido accompanied by Jim Shevchuk, a superintendent at Living Sky School Division.
A word about MARION MUTALA - by Miguel Ángel Olivé Iglesias, CCLA Cuban President, Editor-in-chief of The Ambassador, Assistant Editor of The Envoy

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McNally Robinson TOP 100 BESTSELLING BOOKS FOR 2017 - 19. More Babas, Please, Marion Mutala.

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Sask Poly-Talk February 5, 2018 Employees' Weekly Newsletter
On January 26th, more than 100 students and Instructors participated in a Building Bridges event organized by Indigenous Services and Intercultural Services at the Saskatoon Main Campus. Through a program rich with storytelling, music and dance, participants learned of the similarities between Métis and Ukrainian cultures, and their unique differences, as well as the role of the Métis in helping early Ukrainian settlers, and others, adapt to life in the 'new world'. Many thanks to storytellers and performers from both cultures for enriching the experience for all – Ukrainian violinist, Bill Gulka; Ukrainian author/storyteller, Marion Mutala; Métis illustrator/artist, Donna Lee Dumont; Métis fiddlers, Phil and Dallas Boyer; and our very own Brian Gallagher, Emcee Extraordinaire. To close the event, everyone enjoyed a steaming bowl of borscht accompanied by delicious bannock. The goal of the Building Bridges initiatives is to provide an opportunity to enhance appreciation and understanding between cultures. Please join us on March 8th for a Building Bridges International Women's Day Event, which will be held at the Saskatoon Main Campus. |
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Saturday, October 29, 2016 - Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Thanks Bill Robertson for lovely article in today's paper. It is greatly appreciated.
#1 spot! - Saturday, October 22, 2016 |
LIT Happens - Wes Funk interviews Marion Mutala about her first book - "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas".
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College of Education Alumni in the News-Winter 2013
http://www.usask.ca/education/alumnianddonors/alumni/alumni-in-the-news.php
Alumnas Publishes Third Book - Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Wedding
Wedding bells are ringing in the past! The wind brings Natalia a babushka just like the ones her Baba used to wear, taking the young girl on a magical journey to an autumn long ago to discover the wedding traditions of her Ukrainian Heritage.
Marion Mutala earned a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1979 and Masters of Education Degree in 1996. With a mad passion for the arts, Marion Mutala loves to write, folkdance, sing, play guitar, garden, travel and read. Marion credits her 30 years of teaching to helping her develop unique stories, songs, and poetry.
You can find her first two award winning bestselling books Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas and Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Easter at a bookstore near you!
Alumnas Publishes Third Book - Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Wedding
Wedding bells are ringing in the past! The wind brings Natalia a babushka just like the ones her Baba used to wear, taking the young girl on a magical journey to an autumn long ago to discover the wedding traditions of her Ukrainian Heritage.
Marion Mutala earned a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1979 and Masters of Education Degree in 1996. With a mad passion for the arts, Marion Mutala loves to write, folkdance, sing, play guitar, garden, travel and read. Marion credits her 30 years of teaching to helping her develop unique stories, songs, and poetry.
You can find her first two award winning bestselling books Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas and Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Easter at a bookstore near you!
The Star Phoenix - Saturday, October 19, 2013

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Global Saskatoon - Feb 13, 2013
Global's Kevin Stanfield is joined by two local authors, Marion Mutala and
Wes Funk, to discuss Freedom to Read Month
Website: http://www.globalsaskatoon.com/video/freedom+to+read+month/video.html?v=2334557394&p=5&s=dd#video
Wes Funk, to discuss Freedom to Read Month
Website: http://www.globalsaskatoon.com/video/freedom+to+read+month/video.html?v=2334557394&p=5&s=dd#video
The Brent Loucks Show - Jan 6, 2012
Ukrainian Christmas Eve is today. Guest host Gerald Bauman finds out about Ukrainian Christmas Traditions that go along with the celebration from
Marion Mutala, Creator of "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas".
Listen: Marion_Mutala_Jan6.mp3
Website: News Talk 650 CKMO
Marion Mutala, Creator of "Baba's Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas".
Listen: Marion_Mutala_Jan6.mp3
Website: News Talk 650 CKMO
Global Saskatoon - Feb 7, 2012
Morning News Interview
The Saskatoon SUN - Sunday, November 14, 2010

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