Homelands and New Lands — Early Ukrainian Immigration in Context

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June 28, 2025 – January 10, 2026

Wednesday to Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Homelands and New Lands explores the first major wave of Ukrainian immigration to Canada between 1891 and 1928. Using a timeline format enriched by artefacts and artworks from the Museum’s collection, the exhibition traces early immigrants’ journeys — their reasons for leaving, the hardships they faced, and their efforts to build new lives on the Prairies.

The exhibition also places these stories within a broader context, acknowledging the displacement and marginalization of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations and Métis, whose lands were profoundly affected by European settlement.

The timeline is supported by historic photographs, traditional clothing, farming tools, personal letters, religious objects, and artworks reflecting themes of migration and settlement.

Homelands and New Lands invites reflection on migration, resilience, and belonging — recognizing the communities shaped by immigration, the complexities of colonial histories, and the responsibilities we inherit in telling these stories today.

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• More information umcnational.ca

Organizer

Ukrainian Museum of Canada

North America’s first Ukrainian museum, founded by Ukrainian Canadian women.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada (UMC), in downtown Saskatoon, SK, features three galleries dedicated to celebrating and promoting the arts, culture, and legacy of the Ukrainian Canadian community. We also house archives, a library, community spaces, and a shop carrying a range of authentic Ukrainian giftwares, clothing, and crafts.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada was established by the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada in 1936 with the aim of promoting Ukrainian arts, culture, and heritage. The vision of the women who founded the museum was bold, since Ukrainian culture was not well understood or respected by most Canadians at the time. In Soviet Ukraine, following Stalin’s rise to power, Ukrainian culture and language were being violently suppressed.

Today our museum is home to one of the largest ethnic textile collections in North America, including regional folk costumes, kylym (tapstries), and vyshyvka (embroidery). We also house a suite of 12 paintings, the Ukrainian Pioneer Women series, by the well-known artist William Kereluk, along with many works by Ukrainian Canadian folk artists Dmytro Stryek, Ann Harbuz, and others.

The Museum offers a variety of public programs to empower visitors to explore, learn, and have fun. Our programs, workshops, lectures, and special events inspire people from all cultural backgrounds to connect with Ukrainian Canadian culture, art, and history.

Since February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada has been active in welcoming Ukrainian newcomers and bringing community together to learn about modern Ukraine, its history, politics, and culture, and the ways that Ukrainian stories impact Canadians.