Over a span of approximately forty years, Mr. John Huk collected various documents, photographs and music related to his life and career in Whitney Pier and Sydney. As a young man he worked in a records store and eventually moved to a position with the Nova Scotia Department of Social Services. John was integral in establishing and growing the Ukrainian dance movement in Cape Breton, and has been and continues to be passionate about history and the preservation of Ukrainian culture in Cape Breton. He has collected photographs, stories and documents related to Ukrainian culture in Whitney Pier. The culmination of this work is a publication titled, “Strangers in the Land: The Ukrainian Presence in Cape Breton”. Mr. Huk is an active member of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Parish in Whitney Pier, a member of the men's club, and avid gardener.
Published
This collection consists of textual records, photographs, sound recordings, publications and artifacts documenting the history and activities of the Ukrainian community in Cape Breton. Within the collection there is a focus on music and dance with over 1 meter of 78 and LP albums of Ukrainian music. Also included is a comprehensive collection of research related to Ukrainian immigration to Cape Breton with records pertaining specifically to the Ukrainian community in Whitney Pier. Personal papers from the Huk family are also included in the collection along with the manuscript and research related to Mr. John Huk's publication Strangers in the Land: The Ukrainian Presence in Cape Breton.
The records in this collection were either generated by Mr. John Huk and his family, gathered together from community members, or given to Mr. Huk over a span of forty years. The collection was donated to the Beaton Institute in 2009 by Mr. Huk.