Dora Sakayan: my heroine

Dora Sakayan is an impressive figure. Author of many, many books, linguistics expert, McGill University Professor. Imagine my surprise when I found out that, for her upcoming 90th birthday, in lieu of gifts, she requested that people donate to the Atken Armenian Foundation instead, in support of this mission!!!

What a wonderful idea: I am very touched and honoured by her support.

Here is the email she shared with her entourage: 


Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you know, in a few days I am reaching the landmark of 90 years, a privilege which, alas, is not granted to many. I am grateful to maintain a good health and — despite the trying times — my positive attitude. I feel blessed to wake up every morning in this wonderful country called Canada where I could — for over 45 years — live a happy and productive life.

I am glad to inform you that, utilizing the Pandemic lockdown for the best, I am now writing my memoirs, focusing on the history of the underreported 1946-1948 Repatriation of 100 thousand Diaspora Armenians to Soviet Armenia. I depict episodes out of the 30 years of my young adult life in Armenia, where I enjoyed our national treasures, disdained the Soviet regime, where I worked hard and made myself and my Armenia better. Wish me well in my endeavor!

It has come to my knowledge that some of you wonder what to offer me as a gift for my birthday. At this proud age I have everything what one can only wish for in life. But yesterday, going through the news of our Canadian-Armenian community, an ingenious idea of a gift came to my mind, which I would like to communicate to you.

I read that a few days ago, Aram Adjemian, a young historian from Ottawa, and recently Director of Parliamentary Affairs for Senator Serge Joyal, left for a humanitarian mission to the Vayots Dzor in ARMENIA. (You can follow Aram’s mission at https://www.blogger.com/profile/17419343550299793664 ). I was pleased about the news, for I knew Aram Adjemian in person and I have read his valuable and unique book on Canada’s response to the Armenian Genocide. I was immediately motivated by Aram’s brave initiative and decided to ask people close to me and to Armenia to support it.

Here I am, taking the liberty to ask you, in lieu of presents for my 90th birthday, to make a charitable and tax-deductible donation to the Atken Armenian Foundation (AAF), the organisation supporting Aram’s initiative. What better gift I could ask for? We have a brilliant “soldier” on the ground who will make sure our donations are spent directly and astutely.

The AAF projects Aram is supporting include aid to internally displaced Armenians, micro-projects for development, poverty relief, and education. You may find examples of the AAF’s projects on their website: http://atkenarmenianfoundation.com/.

Here are some practical tips to complete the donation:

1. The preferred method of donation is through an ‘Interac transfer’ to atkenarmenianfoundation@yahoo.com  [Specify: “Dora Sakayan’s 90th Birthday”]

2. Or, donors can mail a cheque to the AAF: 2110 rue Harbour Laval, Qc H7T 2M5.

3. In both cases, to receive an official tax receipt from the AAF, please send the AAF your home address. The AAF is a Charity registered with Revenue Canada - Registration no.: 851162461RR0001.

 In a month’s time, the AAF will report to me on your donations, and I will direct the funds to the charitable AAF projects, supported by Aram, of my choosing.

  Thanking you all in advance,

Dora Sakayan


Please consider sharing this blog with anyone who might be interested in donating to this mission.

Huge thanks to Prof. Sakayan!

Her personal website





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