Eventually, 224 valuable articles were gathered and displayed in a dedicated room at the Metropolitan Sheptytsky Institute student residence (located at College Drive & Wiggins Ave.)About our Museum History
At a Ukrainian Catholic Womens League of Canada (UCWLC) Convention in 1952, a very successful display of Ukrainian arts and artifacts from private collections was featured. Here, Bishop Andrew Roborecki, the 1st Bishop of the Saskatoon Exarchate, expressed a sincere wish that this display would become the permanent foundation for the beginning of an Eparchial Museum.
On December 7, 1953, at a UCWLC Eparchial Executive meeting, its President, Petronella Chepyha appointed a Committee to lay the groundwork for a museum. This Committee was comprised of Anna Shudlik and Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran. There were many meetings, field trips in search of artifacts, appeals to UWCLC Branches and Sisterhoods throughout Saskatchewan for their help. Soon this Committee expanded with more committed members.
Eventually, 224 valuable articles were gathered and displayed in a dedicated room at the Metropolitan Sheptytsky Institute student residence (located at College Drive & Wiggins Ave.)
An official opening, which included many dignitaries, was held August 28, 1955.
The names of the women on the poster from left to right. They were the members of the founding committee of the museum who laid the groundwork our wonderful museum.
пані П. Чипига (Petronella Chepyha)
пані А. Щудлик (Anna Shudlik)
пані А. М. Баран (Anna Maria Kowcz-Baran)
пані П. Жеребецка (Paraskevia Zerebeski)
пані М. Музика (Magdalina Muzyka)
пані О. Волчук (Olena Wolchuk)
The photo on the right shows visitors to the Museum collection at Sheptytsky Institute in 1957.
On Mary 22, 1966, the "Museum of Ukrainian Culture" was opened at the location of the old parish 'Prosvita Hall' of the Cathedral Parish of St. George - at the corner of 21st Street & Avenue M (shown below.) Again, the Committee expanded and a provisional Board of Trustees, chaired by Emelia Panamaroff, assumed responsibility for operation of the museum.
In 1986 during the terms of Angeline Chrusch as President and Rosalie Kitz as Treasurer, the Eparchial UCWLC and a team of over 100 volunteers undertook the responsibility of working bingos as a form of revenue. Since that time, MUM has received over $1 million to fund operational costs. These bingos continue!
On April 29, 1991, Musée Ukraina Museum Inc. became incorporated and registered under the Non-profits Corporations Act. (Corporation No. 210203). On November 17, 2001, the 1st formal Board of Trustees was elected at an Annual General Meeting. Jayne Paluck was elected as 1st Chairman of the Board for the newly named Musée Ukraina Museum - a name reflecting the multicultural aspect of Canadian society and the value we put on celebrating our role in this society. The Board of Trustees became the Board of Directors and plans were drawn for a new building! There would be many bingos, much campaigning and fundraising to be done.
In 2010 the Brick and Cornerstone Campaign was launched and a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the new Museum was held on December 10, 2010.
On September 20, 2012, MUM was honoured to have His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk visit and bestow a blessing on the Museum. Two days later, the new Museum officially opened to the public - with over 12,000 sq. feet on two floors, built at the cost of 3.5 million dollars. With many thanks to the 
Jayne and Ernest Paluck ‘Retire the Mortgage Campaign' (matching donations up to $500,000) this debt was finally expired as of December 2024.
From personal belongings of early Ukrainian settlers on the prairies to ethnographic expeditions that went far into Ukrainian territory during dangerous Soviet times, MUM collected and now houses many rare and valuable articles. From the original handful of items, the collection has grown to over 20,000 artifacts. Musée Ukraina Museum remains committed to preserving the cultural and historical contributions of the Ukrainian Catholic community in Saskatchewan, Canada and Ukraine.
Beyond just a Vision! The Journey for a new modern Musée Ukraina Museum ...
It has been a long journey - which officially started with a ground-breaking ceremony on December 10, 2010. The building plan included necessary requirements for a museum covering more than 12,000 sq. ft. over two floors - at a capital cost of 3.5 million.
Musée Ukraina Museum is grateful for the original financial support to the capital campaign from the Government of Saskatchewan ($534,625); the Dr. Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation ($350,000), the Ernest & Jayne Paluck Campaign 2021, and through the dedication and commitment of many leaders and generous people.
The Construction Mortgage is Retired!
Ernest & Jayne Paluck (of Regina) 2021 Campaign to retire the mortgage offered to match all donations up to $500,000. At December 2023 the mortgage was paid off! On June 23, 2024 our donors were recognized with the unveiling of a Donor Wall and Rizba Memory Book.
Families, organizations and estates have sponsored the following spaces:
• Ernest & Jayne Paluck Permanent Gallery
• Peter Kiziak Feature Gallery
• Steve & Anne Abrametz Board Room
• Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Archive & Collection Room
• Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada Archive Room
• Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood Archive Room
As we continue to grow the original vision of MUM which embraces the proud traditions of the Ukrainian people it is important that we do it together. What has been entrusted to all of us is to be understood and protected and can only be achieved if we work together. We are extremely grateful to our community for their unfailing support and the work undertaken together - ensuring that our Ukrainian-Canadian history, represented by the artifacts within our collection, can be preserved for future generations as a means of connecting our children with the past. Musée Ukraina Museum proudly continues to invest in making our community stronger!
The vision...... and, the reality!
The ground breaking ceremony of December 10, 2010:
Pictured (from left to right): Maurice Soulodre (Architect), Morris & Anna Korpan (representing all the donors), Eileen Yaworski (Eparchial UCWLC President), Patricia Mialkowsky (President, Board of Directors), Jayne Paluck (1st President of the Board of Directors), Angeline Chrusch (representing all the volunteers), Dr. Lawrence Worobetz (representing the Dr. Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation), Wynne Young (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture & Sports), Paul Machibroda (representing the Museum Building Advisory Committee) and James Chrusch (Bayda Kozaks).
Musée Ukraina Museum is a leader in bringing awareness and understanding to the growing cultural diversity which exists in the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. Our galleries host educational exhibitions providing opportunities for the cultural community to bring awareness and understanding to their beautiful customs and traditions.