The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is a cultural institution located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Established in 1936, it is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and presenting the history and cultural heritage of Ukrainian Canadians. The museum plays a vital role in fostering an understanding and appreciation of Ukrainian culture within the broader Canadian society.
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HistoryHistory
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was founded by the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada (UWAC) in 1936 as part of their efforts to preserve Ukrainian cultural traditions and artifacts.One of the museum's co-founders was the writer Savella Stechishin. The museum began with a modest collection of items donated by Ukrainian immigrants and has since grown into one of the most comprehensive repositories of Ukrainian cultural artifacts in North America. The vision of its founders was daring, given that Ukrainian culture was not well recognized or respected by most Canadians at the time, and was facing severe repression in Soviet Ukraine following Stalin’s rise to power.
For many years, the museum was housed within the Mohyla Ukrainian Institute. However, in 1980, funds were raised to build a new, purpose-designed museum. The current building, which continues to house the museum, is a modern interpretation of an early Ukrainian settler home, typically a clay-plastered log house with a thatched or shingled roof.
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FacilitiesFacilities
The museum, constructed with bricks instead of logs and clay, features three main floor galleries, a gift shop, a library, a meeting room, and a multi-purpose room for community events. It also includes offices, collections storage, a preparation room, and additional facilities.
CollectionsCollections
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada houses over 30,000 items in its permanent collection, including one of the largest ethnic textile collections in North America. The museum's extensive collection includes traditional tapestries (kylyms) and embroideries (vyshyvanky and rushnyky), along with a remarkable array of pysanky, or Easter eggs. Additionally, the museum holds a variety of folk art, furniture, ceramics, traditional inlaid, engraved, and painted woodwork, as well as modern and contemporary Ukrainian and Ukrainian Canadian prints and paintings.
The museum is home to a set of 12 paintings by the late William Kurelek, commissioned by the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada to honor the lives of early Ukrainian women settlers in Canada. The museum also boasts a significant collection of early Ukrainian Canadian ceramics, including works by potters such as Peter Rupchan. The collection features numerous paintings by Ukrainian Canadian folk artists, including Dmytro Stryek and Ann Harbuz.
ExhibitionsExhibitions
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada features both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions focus on the history, traditions, and contributions of Ukrainian Canadians, while temporary exhibitions highlight specific aspects of Ukrainian culture or contemporary Ukrainian art. The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions from other institutions, enriching the cultural dialogue between communities.
ArchivesArchives
The archives of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada were established to identify, acquire, preserve, and interpret the records of the Ukrainian Canadian community. These collections complement the holdings in the museum's library and support the efforts of other local and national institutions in preserving Ukrainian culture in Canada.
The types of records found in the archives include individual, family, and organizational records, as well as textual records (both hand-written and electronic), photographs, correspondence, documents, maps, film, and video and audio recordings.
Branches and AffiliationsBranches and Affiliations
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada has several branches across Canada, including locations in Ontario, Manitoba, Calgary, Alberta. Each branch operates independently while contributing to the overall mission of preserving and promoting Ukrainian culture. The museum also collaborates with other cultural and academic institutions to enhance its programs and reach.
SignificanceSignificance
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada serves as a vital cultural hub for the Ukrainian Canadian community and as an educational resource for the broader public. By preserving and promoting Ukrainian heritage, the museum fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural diversity that enriches Canada. Through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the museum ensures that the legacy of Ukrainian Canadians continues to inspire future generations. In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the museums noted increased visitor numbers and interest in their collections.