The Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts, like so many other organizations across the world, responded to the crisis in Ukraine. From providing space for artists, work bees, fundraisers to a venue to sell goods, ACUA has worked to support the efforts of many artists in their efforts to help Ukraine. Collectively the efforts of Ukrainian artists, artists, volunteers and…

Gordon Gordey serves as the first Vice President of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Shevchenko. He is recognized in our community as one of the 100 most influential people in the development of theater in Alberta in Theatre 100: Celebrating 100 theatre practitioners over 100 years. Formerly Shumka’s Artistic Director, he worked with immensely talented choreographers, dancers, composers, stage and…

Larisa Hayduk is the Director of the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at MacEwan University. She is passionate about innovative approaches to connecting people in meaningful and respectful ways. An educator originally from central Ukraine, Larisa keeps close ties with Ukraine on a personal, volunteer, and professional level. Larisa has been serving on the Board of the Ukrainian Canadian…

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton serves some 25,000 faithful in 81 parishes and missions throughout Alberta. His Grace, Bishop David Motiuk is entrusted with the oversight and spiritual care for the people within the Eparchy. The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation prompted the Eparchy to initiate a fundraising campaign in support…

In April 2022, Lev Rinhel started a Furniture Warehouse as a way of helping newcomers get furniture for their homes in Canada, which were typically empty when they moved in. It was a complicated, big project that required a clear plan of what to do, organizing of volunteers, and most of all, a desire to ‘roll up our sleeves’ and get to…

The Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association (AUDA) endeavors tirelessly to invigorate and promote Ukrainian Culture in Alberta through dance initiatives and grant opportunities. AUDA is incredibly proud of the commitment and resilience displayed by the Ukrainian Dance Community as well as the collaboration and camaraderie that have grown out of these deeply challenging times. Community members from across the province have…

CMM, MSM, CB (Ret’d) Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk is a descendant of Ukrainian immigrants who homesteaded between Holden and Daysland in 1903. Raised in rural Alberta, he studied at both Royal Roads Military College and the Royal Military College of Canada, and was commissioned in the Canadian Army in 1986. Over the course of his military career, Paul was blessed to…

Lianna Makuch (she/her) is a second-generation Ukrainian Canadian theatre artist in amiskwaciwâskahikan on Treaty Six Territory. She is a performer, playwright, emerging director, and a graduate of the BFA Acting Program at the University of Alberta. Lianna is the co-Artistic Producer of Pyretic Productions and a producer with Punctuate! Theatre. She is the playwright and principal performer in the award-winning play Barvinok,…

The Free Store for Ukrainian Newcomers is a store in downtown Edmonton and the first of its kind in the city. The store provides clothing and essentials at no charge to Ukrainian newcomers displaced by the war in Ukraine. What makes Free Store different is that it is in a beautiful, premium downtown location where ‘shoppers’ can feel a sense…

Vincent Rees has been involved in the Ukrainian community in many ways his entire life. Beginning with his passion for Ukrainian dance, he performed with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers for many years before becoming a teacher, choreographer, and director. After completing an undergrad in Ukrainian Language and Literature and a Masters in Ukrainian Folklore, he was perfectly suited to begin…