Chair: Myron Momryk – Library and Archives Canada (retired)
Myron Momryk is a historian, archivist, and researcher. He held various positions in the Multicultural Archives Program, and worked as the Project Archivist in the Social Archives Section, Political and Social Heritage Division at the Library and Archives Canada (1981-2006). He worked as an Assistant Secretary for the Board of Trustees at the National Museums of Canada (1980-1981); Project Officer for the Department of the Secretary of State, Administrative Services, and a History Officer and Assistant Secretary to the Canadian Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee of the Multiculturalism Program (1973-1980). He holds a BEd from Queen’s University (1972), as well as a MA in Canadian History from the University of Waterloo (1972). He is the author of numerous articles and research publications, among them are: A Guide to Sources for the Study of Ukrainian Canadians, Public Archives of Canada (1984); Archival Sources for the Study of Polish Canadians, Public Archives of Canada (1987); and Remember the Flag, Mazeppa Legion History (2009).
Tom Anderson – Provincial Archives of Alberta
Tom Anderson is Manager, Private Records at the Provincial Archives of Alberta. He holds a Master of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, and an MLIS and MAS from the University of British Columbia.
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This presentation will focus on the practical management of archival collections of the Ukrainian community from the perspective of the Provincial Archives of Alberta. There was much to celebrate in archives as we closed out Alberta’s year of the Ukrainian Canadian. The Provincial Archives preserves records that are used by the research community locally, nationally and internationally, and the archival holdings reflect the interests of Ukrainians and their descendants in the province. The discussion will provide an overview of Ukrainian-related holdings at the Archives, and their focus, strengths and gaps. The presentation will also discuss access initiatives that we have undertaken over the past number of years, and the collaborations that brought success. This will include discussion of related finding aids, appraisal and acquisition of Ukrainian records, arrangement and description projects, past and existing partnerships, and the value each has in the context of the existing environment. The presentation will also discuss past and current challenges facing the management of Ukrainian language archives at the provincial institution.
James Kominowski – University of Manitoba Libraries and Archives
Since 2001, James Kominowski has served as the Slavic Librarian and Archivist responsible for the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library’s Slavic Collection, and the Archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience, which is housed within the University of Manitoba’s Archives & Special Collections. In addition, he is the Liaison Librarian for German Studies. He provides reference and orientation assistance to faculty, graduate & undergraduate students, and researchers, and is the Libraries’ liaison with Manitoba’s Slavic communities. His key interests lie in: library instruction and pedagogy; acquisition and development of foreign language collections; and early twentieth century Ukrainian history and literature. James holds a BSc (Chemistry) and an MA (Ukrainian Literature) from the University of Manitoba, and an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario.
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The University of Manitoba’s Archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience, was established in 2003 to complement the efforts of other Winnipeg institutions in preserving Ukrainian heritage in Canada. This paper will focus on the history and growth of this Archives, whose roots can be traced back to the creation of the University of Manitoba Libraries’ important and extensive Slavic Collection, whose origins mirror that of the university’s Department of Slavic Studies. Over the past 15 years, the number of collections comprising the UofM’s Ukrainian Canadian Archives, has grown steadily by word of mouth, and through the outreach work of its archivist, as well as that of the other archival staff members. Additional support has been provided by members of Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community, who serve as advocates of the Archives. The paper will also discuss the important role that these individuals play in the promotion of the Archives, and conclude with a look at a few of the major collections that are currently available to researchers, including: the Ukrainian National Home of Winnipeg (Ukrains’kyi Narodnyi Dim) fonds; the Klymkiw Family fonds (mostly containing the archival records of Walter Klymkiw); the Olexander Koshetz Choir fonds; and the Victor Denka fonds.
Andrew Chernevych – Galt Museum and Archives
Andrew Chernevych is Head Archivist at the Galt Museum & Archives, Lethbridge, Alberta. He is a graduate of the UofA’s Ukrainian Folklore Program, who has worked at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Provincial Archives of Alberta, as well as the City of Wetaskiwin Archives. In 2011, Andrew came to Southern Alberta to take over the operations of the Galt Archives with the Galt Museum & Archives in Lethbridge. As the largest archival depository in Southwest Alberta, the Galt Archives functions as a de-facto regional archives. Over years, Andrew had a chance to explore and provide support to many small heritage institutions in the area, which gave him a deeper understanding of the region, its history and culture. It also brought him in touch with the Lethbridge’s Ukrainian community – small and isolated but resilient group proud of its heritage and culture.
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The block settlement east of Edmonton has been the focal point of Alberta’s Ukrainian life for decades. This heritage has been explored, celebrated and institutionalized through the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village and other legacy projects. The Ukrainians that settled in other areas, however, received much less attention. One of those less studied regions is Southern Alberta (south of Calgary). The experience of these settlers has been markedly different from those of Central Alberta. Many Ukrainians came to this area to find employment at local coal mines, in Lethbridge area and the Crowsnest Pass; many later settled on farms, towns or in the urban centers – Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Unlike in Central Alberta, these settlers were dispersed – just another ethnic group in the local mix, alongside Hungarians, Slovaks, Germans, Dutch and Japanese.
These social and economic conditions affected the paper trail the Ukrainians left behind in Southern Alberta. With fewer community institutions, a researcher will have to rely more on sources about the Ukrainians (as opposed to sources produced by the Ukrainians). Local newspapers, directories, family fonds, photographic studio records, municipal government papers, records of non-profit organization – many of them contain useful references. These research materials are scattered through a number of local heritage organizations. The largest depositories are the Galt Museum & Archives and the Esplanade Archives, but smaller municipal institutions, such as the Crowsnest Museum, do house occasional gems.
Andrew Chernevych will focus on a selection of significant fonds, reference sources and case files such as the Gushul fonds (the Crowsnest Museum), the Lethbridge Herald, the City of Lethbridge Henderson’s Directories, Ostopowich fonds, Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club fonds, court records related to the Chobotar case and the Popowich case. The presenter will also discuss online finding aids and access challenges associated with smaller institutions.