Look Back

Our History

The Manitoba Branch of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, UWAC acknowledges that we are on Treaty I Territory and the land on which we gather is the traditional land of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

1928 - 1936

Founded

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was founded in 1936 by the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada and is a member of the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League family of organizations. The Manitoba Branch of the Museum dates back to 1928 when a group of Ukrainians participated in an exhibit of traditional items by thirteen ethnic groups of “new Canadians”, sponsored by the Canadian Handicraft Guild in Winnipeg.

In 1950, Nell Pawlik was elected Museum Chairperson and the first meeting of the Manitoba Branch of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada took place on March 2, 1951 at the home of Nell Pawlik.

1951 - 1950

First Meeting

In 1952, at the request of the Museum Board, the Ukrainian Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg granted the Manitoba Museum space in the Cathedral to house and exhibit the Museum’s growing body of artifacts. Through generous donations, display cabinets, storage units and other furnishings were acquired.

The permanent collection of the Manitoba Branch Museum is comprised of: historical regional apparel; household textiles such as kylymy and rushnyky; many archival items such as books, postcards, letters, photographs and slides; a large collection of pysanky; a number of handcrafted wooden items and ceramics.

1952

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral

1992 - Present

Awards, Art and Historical Heritage

Mrs. Nell Pawlik provided the leadership in founding the Manitoba Branch of the Museum and in 1992 she was presented the “Prix Manitoba Award” at the Manitoba Legislature by the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Citizenship, for Nell Pawlik’s years of dedicated service to the preservation of Ukrainian heritage in Manitoba.

Also in 1992, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada Manitoba Branch together with the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada commissioned a sculpture entitled “Pioneer Family” by internationally aclaimed artist Leo Mol. This gift to the citizens of Winnipeg resides in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Manitoba Branch is recognized as a “Standing Museum” by the Association of Manitoba Museums and over the past 70 years the Museum continues to play a vital role in the community, preserving and exhibiting Ukrainian cultural, social and historical heritage.