Donor Spotlight: Dr. Robert and Alice Chayka

About the Chaykas

For Dr. Robert (Bob) and Alice Chayka, supporting the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is not only a philanthropic choice—it’s a deeply personal legacy rooted in family, community, and identity.

Alice traces her connection to the Museum back to her childhood in North Battleford, where her mother, Mary Sochaski, and her mother’s sisters—Olga Borsa and Alice Kowalski—were known in the community as the “Golden Girls.” Passionate members of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (UWAC), they were instrumental in the early efforts to develop a Ukrainian Museum in Saskatchewan. As a young adult, Alice helped carry their vision forward—quite literally—by transporting donations from North Battleford to Saskatoon.

“My mom and baba made a point of passing on their heritage,” Alice says.

Over the years, Alice has been deeply involved with her church, UWAC, and Ukrainian Saturday school. These community connections only strengthened her desire to see the Museum grow as a vibrant space for cultural preservation and education.

Bob’s ties to the Museum are just as strong. A former board member, he was inspired to join at a time when he was the only man at the table—balancing his responsibilities as a dentist while staying engaged in the Museum’s future. “I wanted to understand where the Museum was going,” he recalls. “To get a grasp of the plan for the future.”

Bob’s mother, a founding member of the Olha Kobylianska Branch of UWAC, instilled in him a strong sense of cultural pride and responsibility. Though both of his parents were immigrants, Bob was born in Canada—and has always been curious about how Ukrainian identity evolves across generations.

The Power of the Museum

For a time, Bob and Alice felt uncertain about the Museum’s direction. “There was a period when things seemed to stall,” Bob admits. “But now, the momentum is back. There’s energy, programming, workshops—and Jen is doing a great job leading things forward.” That revitalization is one of the reasons the Chaykas have become major annual donors since 2022.

While they no longer attend hands-on craft workshops themselves, Alice and Bob are delighted to see younger generations actively participating. They particularly enjoy the Museum’s cultural programming and lecture series, especially events offered in partnership with the Prairie Centre for the Ukrainian Heritage and the PUFF (Prairie Ukrainian Film Festival) program.

“As medical professionals, we didn’t have a lot of exposure to the arts,” says Alice. “But some of these films are very powerful. It’s been fascinating to witness the evolution of Ukrainian cinema—from the old, often propagandistic films we grew up with, to the modern portrayals of Ukraine today.”

They believe the Museum plays a vital role in connecting generations and welcoming newcomers into shared cultural spaces.

“It gives people a place,” Alice reflects. “In a confusing, changing world, our past can be a stabilizing force.”

Their message to other members and potential donors? Support matters.

“This is about maintaining our culture, expanding programs, and making connections—locally and across the country,” they say. “We’re excited by what’s happening. The Museum is blossoming, and with thoughtful support, it can continue to grow in ways that serve our whole community.”

Together, the Chaykas exemplify how honouring the past can help shape a meaningful and resilient future—for the Museum, for the community, and for generations to come.