Preserving Heritage, Embracing Reflection

September is officially recognized as Ukrainian Heritage Month in Ontario — a time to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Ukrainian Canadians and to reflect on the importance of preserving our heritage. For the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch, this September was a month filled with connection, collaboration, and a deepening commitment to cultural stewardship.

From September 12–14, we participated in the Toronto Ukrainian Festival, one of the largest celebrations of Ukrainian culture in North America. We were delighted to engage with community members, share our work, and take part in this exciting gathering.

Later in the month, our team attended the Ukrainian Heritage Consortium of North America (UHCNA) conference in Saskatoon, held from September 25–28 and co-hosted by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – National, Musée Ukraina Museum (MUM), and the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage. Seven members of our staff and board joined over 45 delegates, museum professionals and cultural practitioners from across North America for invaluable dialogue and collaboration. Guided by this year’s theme – Reclaiming Heritage: The Role of Museums and Heritage Organizations in Cultural Revitalization and Post-Colonial Recovery – the conference featured panel discussions, delegate presentations, and site visits that deepened both professional and personal connections.

Highlights included:

• The launch of Folk Imaginaries: Ukrainian Clothing as Memory and Imagination

• Visits to the Gabriel Dumont Institute and Wanuskewin Heritage Park, learning about Métis and Indigenous histories, colonial legacies, and reconciliation

• A presentation by Anastasiia Manuliak of the Ukrainian Institute on the new guidebook, Supporting Decolonization in Museums: Focus on Ukraine

• A deeply resonant keynote reflection on decolonization by author and activist Mariam Naiem

As we approached September 30 – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – our experiences in Saskatoon took on deeper meaning, reminding us of the shared responsibilities of cultural institutions in acknowledging colonial histories, fostering dialogue, and advancing reconciliation.

These experiences throughout September served as a powerful reminder of how fragile cultural memory can be — especially in light of the ongoing cultural erasure in Ukraine. They reaffirm the urgency of our mission and the strength we find in our communities to preserve and celebrate Ukrainian cultural heritage. 💙💛

Kosiv Bazaar • A Living Archive of the Carpathians is an exhibition drawn from the collection of Leonard Krawchuk, inspired by the unique phenomenon of the Hutsul bazaar in Kosiv. A place where – for centuries – craft, community, and the beauty of everyday life have intersected. The Kosiv Bazaar is more than just a market – it is living memory, cultural force, and a space of gathering. We invite you to experience an exhibition where trade becomes culture, and the bazaar becomes a living metaphor for community.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by:

UPCOMING EVENTS

• October 19 Collecting the Remarkable – an afternoon with Leonard Krawchuk

• October 28 – November 24 Holodomor Commemorative Exhibit

• November 8 & 9 Holiday Market

• November 12 Book Launch: No Place Like Home by Bohdan Kordan

Have you visited the Museum recently? We’d love to hear about your experience — please fill out our short feedback form and help us grow.

Sustain our legacy. Support the Museum.
Help support the preservation of Ukrainian culture in Canada.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch is a member of the
Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association,
and is located inside St.Volodymyr Institute.