The objectives of this non-profit society, which was registered in 1980 and is under the patronage of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, are to commemorate events of historical and cultural significance; to educate, promote and foster an appreciation for the Ukrainian heritage; and to relieve poverty and to promote and encourage national and international aid and development. The Society is governed by an elected board consisting of 8 volunteer directors and 5 table officers. The formal membership steadily declined over 1990s from 53 to 17.
The Society has a charitable number enabling donors to receive tax deductible receipts. The funds are primarily raised through casino events as well as individual and institutional donations. The language of administration used to be Ukrainian until mid 1990s, when the reports started to be produced in English. The list of past Presidents includes Mr. Batiuk, W. Kunda, Dr. D. Todosijczuk and Peter Savaryn. Since its inception, the Society has seen over two million dollars go through its accounts for various Ukrainian projects. The Society's projects included erection of a statue, “Pioneer Family,” in 1980 at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village; the Ukrainian Centre for Multimedia; the “Great Famine Monument;” various scholarships; the Foundation of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine; and the Children of Chernobyl Fund. The AUCS sponsored various Ukrainian events, visits of Ukrainian leaders, academics and similar notables, initiated translation of medical textbooks from English to Ukrainian in conjunction with the Alberta Ukrainian Medical Society, and sponsored various research and literary publications.
The Society regularly supported the following organizations and initiatives: Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society, Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Chair of Ukrainian Folklore at the University of Alberta, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Encyclopedia of Ukraine project, Alberta Parents for Ukrainian Education Society, Ukrainian Students' Club and many others.
Jacob Maydanyk was the sole proprietor of the Providence Church Goods store, and he was a remarkable artist: writer, poet, cartoonist, iconographer, and socio-political activist. Maydanyk started his artistic career as an illustrator and caricaturist in the local press. Soon after he created his main satirical character Vuyko Shteef Tabachniuk (Uncle Steef Tobacco) who featured in a humorous almanac published by Maydanyk (ca. 1918-1930). The character of Vuyko Shteef was very popular with the contemporary Ukrainian immigrants which prompted Maydanyk to publish a comic book dedicated to adventures of Shteef Tabachniuk (1930). It is argued that Maydanyk’s comic book is the first comic book to be published in Canada. It sold ten thousand copies and was republished in 1974. Maydanyk was well known in the Ukrainian community and beyond for his iconographic work. In 1977 there was an exhibit of Maydanyk’s work at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center.
Andrij Baziuk is an architect who has worked across western Canada. Baziuk began his career working for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in Regina, Saskatchewan from 1971 to 1974. He then relocated to Edmonton, Alberta and worked for the Alberta Housing Corporation as senior architect in charge of public housing design.
In 1976, Baziuk went into private practice, founding Baziuk Architect in Edmonton. Baziuk Architect focused on multi-family housing, seniors' assisted housing, and multi-purpose buildings among others. From 1987 to 1989, Baziuk contracted with the Government of the Northwest Territories to focus on arctic construction and building technology. From 1989 to 1992, he acted as chief building official for the City of Windsor, Ontario where he was responsible for ensuring building structures were compliant with municipal building and zoning codes. In 2007, Baziuk re-located the firm to Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia where he continues to work.
In addition to his professional work, Baziuk has been an active member of Ukrainian communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Lena and Thomas Gushul were well known photographers who worked in Alberta in the first half of the 20th century. Thomas was born in 1889 in what is now Western Ukraine, in the village of Rozhniv. Thomas immigrated to Canada in 1906. Upon arrival, Thomas worked on railroad construction and also in mining. Lena was also born in the same village in 1898. She came to Canada a few years later in 1912. They married in September 1914, and operated two photography studios in the Crowsnest Pass area. They opened their first studio in Coleman in 1918 and closed it in 1928. The second studio was opened in Blairmore on the eve of 1921, and this studio operated until 1953. Thomas and Lena Gushul left a large archive; a big part of it is housed at the Crowsnest Museum.