Working to Ensure Better Education of Holodomor and Canada’s First World War Internment Operations

(UCC-SPC Inform) On October 3, 2012 a delegation led by UCC-SPC met at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building with Deputy Premier of Saskatchewan Ken Krawetz and Education Minister Russ Marchuk to discuss the inclusion of Canada’s First World War Internment Operations (1914-20) and the 1932-33 Ukrainian Famine Genocide (Holodomor) in the Province’s School Curricula.

The delegation consisted of UCC-SPC Vice-President MaryAnn Trischuk; Director-at-Large Danylo Bodnar; UCC-SPC Holodomor Awareness Committee Chair Cathy Schabel; Executive Director Danylo Puderak; Chair of UCC-National’s Holodomor Education Committee Valentina Kuryliw (Toronto) as well Andrea Malysh (Duncan, BC), Program Manager of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund.

 

The meeting with Deputy Premier Krawetz and Minister Marchuk was very successful with both sides agreeing to the importance of having these two historical events included in the Provincial School Curriculum. Minister Marchuk proposed that a group of experts from the UCC work with relevant Ministry of Education officials to identify the applicable places where these two topics could be reflected in the new Saskatchewan curriculum.

Following the meeting with the Ministers, the group traveled to the Ministry of Education offices to meet with the Ministry’s Social Studies Consultant Brent Toles. Discussion included the current review and updating of the Grades 10-12 Social Studies curriculum as well as opportunities for sharing expertise and resources with Ministry personnel on the above mentioned topics in order that they be a specific part of the curriculum.

Earlier in the day, UCC National Holodomor Education Committee Chair Valentina Kuryliw, UCC-SPC Holodomor Awareness Committee Chair Cathy Schabel and Executive Director Danylo Puderak met with Miles Meyers with the Regina Catholic School Division. RCSD exemplified leadership by being the first school division in Saskatchewan commemorate the Holodomor in every one of their schools during Holodomor Awareness Week in November 2011.

At this special morning meeting, both sides welcomed opportunities for sharing resources, in-service teacher training and the necessity of having the Holodomor as a permanent yearly issue before the student body.

UCC-SPC extends its sincere appreciation to Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz and Education Minister Hon. Russ Marchuk for making the time to meet with our delegation on these timely and important topics. In addition, we thank Miles Meyers, RCSD and Brent Toles, Ministry of Education, for their openness to working with our community.

Last but not least, special thank-you’s are extended to Valentine Kuryliw (UCC National) and Andrea Malysh (CFWWIRF) for traveling to Regina from Toronto and Duncan, BC to share their expertise in support of these efforts that will see future generations educated about these two human tragedies.