In 2001, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario officially designated September 7 as Ukrainian Heritage Day. This date marks the arrival of the first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw, who landed on September 7, 1891. Their arrival paved the way for a significant influx of Ukrainian immigrants, shaping the diverse cultural landscape of Ontario and Canada.

Today, Ontario is home to over 376,000 Ukrainian Canadians, and the broader Canadian community includes more than 1.3 million people of Ukrainian heritage. Ukrainian Heritage Day offers a special opportunity to honor Ontario’s role in welcoming generations of Ukrainians seeking a better life and to celebrate the profound contributions of Ukrainian Canadians across our province and nation.

Our ancestors ventured from their homeland with cherished mementos and rich traditions that continue to thrive in Canada. Each trunk and suitcase they carried holds a story of hardship, loss, and ultimately, hope and joy for the future.

Visit our Trunk Tales: Leaving Home – Finding Home online exhibit to explore compelling personal stories and fascinating interviews from four periods of Ukrainian immigration to Canada.

STAND WITH UKRAINE 🇺🇦

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, stands in solidarity with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and independence. There is no place for aggression against any sovereign country. Respect for the rule of law matters to every citizen in every country of the world. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, remains committed to preserving and exhibiting Ukrainian culture and identity within Canada and the world.

Donations can be made to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal established by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine quickly and efficiently.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• September 7 Ukrainian Heritage Day

• September 13-15 Toronto Ukrainian Festival Bloor West Village

• October 25 Making a Museum Exhibition opening and UMCO 80th Anniversary Cocktail Party Fundraiser! Please contact us for sponsorship and donor opportunities for this exciting event!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

September 13-15 Toronto Ukrainian Festival – volunteers needed to help with set-up, retail sales, and transporting items to/from the Museum to our festival location. The Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our organization and programs, a great chance to connect with the community and raise money for the Museum through boutique item sales.

Please contact us if you’re able to join us as a volunteer at the festival!

NEW MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT

We are excited to announce an exclusive new benefit for our members: reciprocal free admission at participating Galeries Ontario Galleries institutions, upon presentation of your UMCO Membership card. To join or renew your 2024 UMCO membership, please click here.

Limited copies of Myroslava’s Exhibition Catalogue are available at our Boutique. Beautifully designed and hand-stitched by the artist, this keepsake of her Repurposed exhibit is the first-ever printed book of Myroslava’s works and is exclusively available at our Museum.

80 years young! 🎂

2024 marks a significant milestone for us as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary! For eight decades, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to preserving, promoting, and sharing our Ukrainian cultural heritage with Canadians and visitors from all around the world.