Julian Sadlowski, born on a farm north of Krydor, began his education in a one-room prairie school, completing high school in Prince Albert.
Graduating from the Saskatoon Teacher's College in 1955, he taught for two years in the one room Uhrynow School south of Krydor. He moved on to Lethbridge, Alta. teaching there for four years, and then to the North Battleford Catholic School System where from 1962-92 he remained as a teacher and administrator.
During his time in North Battleford he attended night classes, summer school, and intercession, earning both a Bachelor of Education degree (1969) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1977) from the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in fine arts and anthropology.
In 1959 he married Rita Kachmarski. They raised three children and their family grew to five grandchildren.
Julian was quick to promote innovation in education. He made sure St. Mary School participated in Senator Sparrow's breakfast program. Julian and his staff supported the integration of special needs students in the regular setting. As a result many special needs students attended St. Mary. For this innovation and other changes he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for 30 years of service.
Julian, the artist/educator, encouraged hiring of drama and music teachers who developed musicals and drama productions. This development built pride and self confidence in the students. He explored the historical Battlefords with his students, incorporating his artistic talents with the studies. He took the students on anthropological digs and field trips, saying that the Battlefords presented "a whole backyard of history."
He drew 12 pictures describing his early life on the family farm. The drawings included cutting, stooking, threshing grain and other activities like cutting wood.
He was invited to display and sell his work at the VESNA (Ukrainian) Festival in Saskatoon. The drawings sold immediately. Thereafter, his primary media became pen and India ink. Nevertheless, he continued to sculpt and to paint in watercolours and oils.
A true Renaissance man, Julian was able to do something of everything. He created illustrations for three children's books. Two history comic books, on the Battlefords' history, became teaching units. He collaborated with the City's horticulturist and a biology teacher to produce three nature science books.
Julian entered local politics and successfully stood for election, three terms as councillor and two terms as mayor. He contributed to the development of the CUPlex, participated in SUMA, the Yellowhead Highway Association, and the Concern for Youth program. While on council he produced three safety activity booklets for kindergarten to Grade 4, published in English, Cree and French. Julian served four years on the provincial Advisory Council on Multiculturalism, and in 2004 the premier of Saskatchewan appointed him to the advisory committee on Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Saskatchewan Provincial Council posthumously recognized his contributions to Ukrainian culture with a Nation Builder award presented to his family Nov. 4, 2012 in Yorkton. The family also received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Julian and council formed an Aboriginal Community Development Committee to address the needs of the Battlefords aboriginal people. He spent years involved in local tourism, receiving the Tourism Volunteer of the Year award, and the Saskatchewan Centennial medal in 2005. In 2003 he received the Builder of the Yellowhead Award, in 2006 the Tête Jaune Award and in 2008 an honorary life membership in the Yellowhead Association.
Love of local history led him to draw and research the Battlefords' buildings. In 2005 he was granted the President's Architectural Heritage Society award "for outstanding contributions and dedication to the promotion and preservation of building heritage in Saskatchewan." The drawings and commentary appear in his book, Pictorial Story of North Battleford 1913-2003 100 Years.
Julian's work in different art exhibits - one man, two man, and group shows - appeared in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. It was centred on the rigours of the farm life in the 1930s. His drawings depicted the difficult lives of Saskatchewan folks of that era. The Canadian Museum of Civilizations purchased Julian's cultural piece titled "Young Love" for its travelling exhibition. The Vatican in Rome, Italy, displays "One Thousand Years of Christianity in Ukraine - 998-1998" in the Ukrainian section.
His book, Pictorial Story of North Battleford 1913 - 2013 100 Years, completed in 2013, in time for the City's centennial celebrations, is Julian Sadlowski's final labour of love.
