UCCLA welcomes decision on 'Holocaust gallery' (03/08/98)

UCCLA welcomes decision on 'Holocaust gallery'

by Borys Sydoruk

TORONTO - Adrienne Clarkson, chairwoman of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, recently announced that no "Holocaust gallery" will be installed in the Canadian War Museum. Speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Branch 360 of The Royal Canadian Legion, John B. Gregorovich responded:

"When we testified before the Senate Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, in Ottawa on February 4, we made it clear that we favor the development of a museum in Ottawa commemorating the Holocaust, provided that such an exhibit is inclusive, recalling the deaths of millions of non-Jews under the Nazis. We also said that the government might be better advised to consider developing a 'Genocide Museum' that would educate the public about the many crimes against humanity that have taken place not only in Europe but also in Africa and Asia during this century. We remain committed to ensuring that any museum set up in the nation's capital using public funds is developed in consultation with all of the affected communities. We have written to the Honorable Sheila Copps, Minster of Canadian Heritage, to ensure that we are fully involved in any future discussions about the nature of either a 'Holocaust gallery' or a 'Genocide Museum.' Since we represent Holocaust survivors and victims of other genocides, such as the Great Famine, we expect to be asked to contribute to this project, and we will do so."

A Ukrainian nationalist and Holocaust survivor, Steve Petylycky, commented: "I was a witness to the deaths of many friends, murdered by the Nazis for fighting to establish a free Ukraine. To this day I bear a tattoo on my arm from Auschwitz, #154922. As a Holocaust survivor, and a proud Canadian, I want to be sure that my children and grandchildren learn that many millions of Ukrainians perished under both the Nazi and Soviet occupations of Ukraine during the Second World War."