UCC–NHEC has officially designated two days in the school year when the Holodomor is commemorated in schools across Canada annually: Holodomor Memorial Day in Schools on the fourth Friday of November and Holodomor Remembrance Day in Schools on April 16 during April Genocide, Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention month.

The National Holodomor Education Committee (NHEC) together with the Holodomor Education Team (UCC-Toronto) have worked hard for a decade to ensure that the Holodomor is included in the Ontario curriculum and have contributed to its inclusion in other provinces in Canada. These individuals and their organizations have worked together as a team to advocate with Ministries of Education and individual MPs, review committees on curriculum, curriculum consultants, individual school boards and administrators, to ensure that the Holodomor is included as a topic to be taught in Canadian schools, and have prepared the teaching materials with which it can be taught.

Holodomor Memorial Day In the Toronto Catholic District School Board

Webinars 90th: Commemorating the 90th anniversary year of the Holodomor

A recent assembly held on Holodomor Memorial Day 2019

2017 Holodomor Student Writing and Video Competition

2017 Holodomor Student Competition Awards

Holodomor Memorial Day in Schools

On the 29 May of 2008, the Parliament of Canada unanimously passed an “Act to Establish a Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day and to Recognize the Ukrainian Famine 1932-1933 as an Act of Genocide.” As a result of the advocacy of the Holodomor Education Team (UCC-Toronto) and later the National Holodomor Education Committee (NHEC), in 2008, the Toronto District School Board passed a resolution to hold an annual Holodomor Memorial Day in schools on the fourth Friday of November. Since then, other school boards across the country have followed suit. Each year for this event the National Holodomor Education Committee (NHEC) and HREC Education prepare an information pamphlet to help educators commemorate this day in their schools.

Holodomor Memorial Day 2019 AssemblyHolodomor Memorial Day 2019 Assembly

APRIL 16 HOLODOMOR REMEMBRANCE DAY IN SCHOOLS

During April Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month

The Holodomor is one of nine global genocides recognized by the Government of Canada and by nine of Canada’s provincial legislatures. It was in the Spring of 1933, during the Holodomor’s deadliest year, that the number of deaths escalated significantly.

Every year in April, Ukrainians worldwide traditionally visit cemeteries and remember the dead with special memorial ceremonies held the week after Easter, when victims of the Holodomor are specifically remembered. Educators are encouraged to take time in April to remember those who suffered and lost their lives in the Holodomor and other genocides, and to commit to using education to protect and defend human rights and dignity everywhere.