December.06.2019. In response to the statement issued today by the President of the University of Alberta, Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), issued the following response:
“The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) recognizes the University of Alberta’s leading role in Canadian research on the Holodomor Famine-Genocide of 1932-33, particularly through the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) and the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC).
The UCC acknowledges the initiatives to which the University of Alberta has committed today to further advance research, education and awareness about the Holodomor. We appreciate the commitment by the Dean of Arts and Dean of Education to continue important research on the Holodomor and create educational materials for teachers to build knowledge and understanding of this devastating genocide.
We are pleased that the University of Alberta will be working on the following initiatives:
- Launching a Rapid Research Response project (hosted by the Kule Institute for Advanced Studies) – which will result in a website designed to educate students and the public about the Holodomor
- Hosting the Holodomor Mobile Classroom at the earliest opportunity and facilitating opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in the Faculty of Education to engage with the exhibit
- Displaying materials in the Faculty of Education for teaching about the Holodomor
- Holding an annual Holodomor Lecture
We sincerely thank everyone who supported our recent Call to Action condemning Holodomor denial including:
- National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Assembly of First Nations
- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney
- Members of Parliament James Bezan, Arif Virani, Michael Levitt, Heather McPherson, Yvan Baker and others
- Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville
- University of Alberta Students Union
- Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Jewish Federation of Edmonton
- Armenian National Committee of Canada
- Marcus Kolga, President of the Central and Eastern European Council
- Canadian Polish Congress
- Many individuals and organizations across Canada and around the world
The UCC applauds the leading role played by students, both at the University of Alberta and across the country for exposing and denouncing denial of the Holodomor. In particular we thank the University of Alberta Students Union (President Akanksha Bhatnagar) for their strong, principled position, SUSK the Ukrainian Canadians Students’ Union (President Roman Grod) and the Ukrainian Student Society at the University of Alberta (President Megan Brownlee) for their leadership and engagement in defence of truth.
We also recognize and thank the leadership of UCC Alberta Provincial Council (President Orysia Boychuk) and UCC Edmonton branch (President Anastasiya Khoma) and their member organizations for their strong support of our call to action. The UCC will continue to work hard to support Holodomor research, education and awareness, through our Committees, Provincial Councils, Local Branches and Member Organizations.
We will continue to stand up to genocide denial in all its forms, as hateful and dangerous speech that has no place in Canada.”
Alexandra Chyczij,
National President, Ukrainian Canadian Congress
