Donor Spotlight: Dr. Evan Howlett

Describing himself as “a farm boy from Regina,” Dr. Howlett pursued his post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan, completing his pre-med studies in the college of Arts and Science before entering the College of Medicine. While attending to a patient in 1983, he met the love of his life, Doreen Michayluk, then working as a nurse. In 1986, he completed his internship at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. He went on to practice family medicine in Saskatoon for 38 years, retiring in October 2024.

Although not ethnically Ukrainian, his connection to the community grew through his marriage into the extended Michayluk family. He was deeply impressed by the strength and continuity of Ukrainian cultural traditions. “What struck me was how robust that ethnic culture was—how strong the sense of community was,” he recalls. Wanting his children to develop a strong sense of identity, he saw how the Ukrainian community could foster that through church, camps, music, dance, and shared traditions.

Evan served on the Board from 2013 to 2017 and returned in 2022, when the museum came under new leadership. He has served as President since October 2024. His return reflects both personal gratitude and a strong belief in the museum’s evolution into a dynamic, living institution—one that not only preserves history but engages actively with the present. “The museum has become a meeting place, a cultural hub,” he says. “The doors are open and the sun is shining in.”

Evan’s support of the museum extends beyond his leadership on the Board. Alongside the time and energy he gives, Doreen and he are regular financial supporters of the museum and have provided additional support for key initiatives, including sponsorship of the Ukrainian Heritage Consortium of North America conference in 2025.

His broader community involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to giving back—an ethos he brings to all aspects of his work.

Looking ahead, Evan sees an important role for the Ukrainian Museum of Canada both locally and globally. As Ukraine looks toward eventual reconstruction, he believes the museum’s work—preserving culture here in Canada while supporting Ukrainian institutions through partnerships and exchanges— will be vital to sustaining identity, memory, and resilience.

Evan is encouraged by the museum’s recent progress and sees an opportunity to engage a broader community of supporters to ensure its long-term sustainability. He believes this is the moment to make a significant push—to build the museum’s endowment and secure the foundation needed for the future, now that its potential is so clearly visible.

He is especially inspired by the museum’s ability to bring people together. He points to recent collaborations with First Nations, Jewish, and other cultural communities as powerful examples of shared histories and mutual understanding. He hopes his own involvement will inspire others to support the Ukrainian Museum— whether through financial contributions, volunteer service, or advocacy—so that it can continue to serve as a place of openness connection, and light.