Steve Mirkopoulos was born in Kalohori in 1950 and spent his early years in Kastoria before migrating to Canada in 1969 to study engineering at the University of Toronto. Engaging early on with the International Student Center, he gradually became active in Greek community initiatives. He played a pivotal role in establishing a Greek Community and school in York Region and was a founding member of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation. His efforts focused on advancing Hellenic Studies at York University and creating scholarships to support students and preserve Greek heritage in Canada.
[00:00:22] Early years in Kalohori and family life
[00:06:02] Moving to Kastoria to be close to high school
[00:08:00] Education and his four brothers' occupations
[00:10:10] Village life in the late 1950s and migration
[00:11:33] His uncle's migration story
[00:18:00] Memories from Kastoria in the 1950s and 1960s
[00:20:36] Moving to Kefalonia to a Royal Boarding School
[00:29:38] Events at his school around April 21, 1967
[00:36:28] The story of his migration in 1969
[00:45:42] Applying to study engineering at the U of T
[00:48:12] His first lie and getting a job in Canada
[00:49:14] Challenges faced in his first year at U of T
[00:51:58] The International Student Center and the Greeks
[00:55:30] Maintaining distance from Greek affairs and the Community
[00:57:20] Marriage and participation in a Greek soccer team
[01:01:45] Moving to York region and meeting new cultures
[01:04:37] Establishing a new Greek Community and school
[01:15:40] The Hellenic Canadian Federation in the 1980s
[01:24:21] The Hellenic Heritage Foundation in the 1990s
[01:29:16] Establishing the Hellenic studies program at York
[01:42:38] Disputes with the Greek Community and endowments
[01:54:12] Establishing scholarships and enhancing the Chair
[02:01:06] Evolution of the HHF's relationship with the U of T
[02:07:50] The second generation of the HHF
[02:10:06] The future of Greekness in Toronto
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