During the last two weeks I have been reading a lot about Yaroslav Hunka Standing Ovation in Canadian parliament.
Thank you all who sent me articles and asked for my comments. I included the list of titles of the articles I have reviewed at the end of the post.
I decided to summarize the important points for the Canadian public to understand about the Waffen-SS Galicia Division:
Formation During World War II: The Waffen-SS Galicia Division, also known as the Halychyna Division, was formed during World War II in 1943. It was created by the Germans as a military unit primarily composed of Ukrainian volunteers.
Recruitment Motivations: Many Ukrainians joined the division with the hope of eventually using it as a stepping stone to establish an independent Ukrainian army. They saw it as a means to fight for their national interests during a turbulent period.
Complex Historical Context: Understanding the division requires consideration of the complex historical context of WWII, including Ukraine’s struggle for independence, German occupation, and the Red Army’s advance.
Allegations of War Crimes: The division has faced allegations of war crimes, but investigations in the 1980s did not find the division as a whole guilty of such crimes. Some accusations related to individuals and other units incorporated into the division.
Recruitment Under Duress: It’s crucial to recognize that not all division members joined voluntarily. Some were conscripted under duress, with the threat of violence if they refused.
Post-War Fate: After the war, most division members were interned by the British. They were later civilianized, and many went on to have diverse careers, including joining the French Resistance, the French Foreign Legion, and serving in various roles.
Contribution to Canada: Some former division members immigrated to Canada and became part of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. They contributed to the nation’s development in various fields such as engineering, medicine, and academia.
Controversial Legacy: The division’s legacy remains a subject of controversy and debate within the Ukrainian diaspora and among historians. It raises questions about loyalty, collaboration, and the complexity of wartime choices.
Historical Research: Scholars like Dr. Myroslav Shkandrij have conducted extensive research on the division, aiming to provide a comprehensive and balanced understanding of its history.
Importance of Informed Discussion: Given the sensitive nature of the topic, it is important for Canadians to engage in informed and nuanced discussions about the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, recognizing the diversity of experiences and motivations among its members.
I highly recommend to read In the Maelstrom The Waffen-SS ‘Galicia’ Divisionand Its Legacy By Myroslav Shkandrij and you will learn a lot from academic research.
The challenge about the situation is reading multiple sources require a lot of time and different authors present different perspectives, that are often controversial.
Most people will not read multiple sources and focus on those they trust and ignore other perspectives.
How one will know truth? The discussion is now on Deschênes Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals to make findings public.
Now lets critically analyze the events after President Zelensky speech at the parliament.
President Zelenski’s visit to the Canadian Parliament caused an international scandal when a guest introduced during the event was revealed to be a former member of the SS division Galicia, leading to widespread criticism.
Speaker of the house congratulated 98 years old Yaroslav Hunka on being Ukrainian and Canadian hero fighting against russians that resulted in standing ovations. Speaker later resigned for his words but the action keep causing a lot of discussion in the media (see list of titles at the end of the post).
The incident received negative reactions from the public, with opposition leaders calling for a public apology from Prime Minister Trudeau. Jewish organizations were particularly upset, given the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust in the same region.
There is ongoing debate about how to remember and commemorate individuals associated with the SS division Galicia, with discussions about the historical context and the difficult choices some individuals made during that time.
The implications of the Speaker’s words and actions in congratulating Yaroslav Hunka have several important takeaways and actions to consider in order to stand with Ukraine and avoid enabling russian propaganda in Canada and globally:
Education on Ukrainian-Canadian History: There is a clear need for education and awareness among the Canadian public about Ukrainian-Canadian history, particularly the impact of World War II on the people of Ukraine. This education can help contextualize the controversy surrounding the SS division Galicia and the difficult choices individuals faced during that time.
Solidarity with Jewish and Polish Communities: The negative reactions from Jewish and Polish communities, given the historical suffering during the Holocaust in the same region, should be acknowledged. Ukrainian communities should actively support and stand in solidarity with Jewish and Polish communities in condemning all forms of Nazi ideology and crimes against humanity.
Understanding Soviet Colonization: To address the controversy, it is essential to educate both Ukrainian and global communities about the history of Soviet colonization and its impacts on the people of Ukraine. This context can help shed light on the complex historical dynamics at play.
Media Responsibility: Media sources should exercise caution and responsibility when addressing controversial issues, especially during times when russia is involved in military aggression against Ukraine. Providing balanced coverage and avoiding sensationalism can prevent russia from using such incidents to further its propaganda.
Political Focus on Real Issues: Instead of fixating on the Speaker’s resignation, Canadian political parties should focus on supporting Ukraine and addressing genuine concerns. Continual political infighting can inadvertently support russian narratives and distract from more pressing matters. There are many areas where Trudeau government can be criticized but will members of Conservative party or NDP want to be known that they might won the elections on the bones of Ukrainian people. Do they not understand that by keeping focusing on Speaker’s words they are standing with putin and allow putin to continue killing people and use speaker’s words to minimize support from Canada to people of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress Statement: The Ukrainian Canadian Congress should issue a stronger statement regarding the controversy, providing credible sources and knowledge to address the concerns. It should emphasize the importance of learning from history and supporting those who have suffered from genocides.
Ukrainian Community Advocacy: The Ukrainian community in Canada should actively voice its concerns and remind the world that russia often uses any opportunity to discredit Canada’s support for Ukraine. Standing in solidarity with Ukraine and advocating for its cause is crucial to countering russian influence.
Preventing Negative Precedents: Actions like the University of Alberta’s removal of Hunka’s endowment fund should be condemned. Instead, efforts should be made to encourage more research in Ukrainian-Canadian studies, particularly during a time when awareness about Ukraine is crucial.
Global Response to russia: It is imperative to take strong actions now to stop russian aggression in Ukraine. Failing to do so could have devastating consequences for the global community, potentially leading to future wars. Supporting Ukraine in its struggle is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic one.
The incident involving the Speaker’s words underscores the need for education, solidarity, responsible media coverage, and political focus on genuine issues. It also highlights the importance of preventing negative precedents and taking decisive action to counter russian aggression in Ukraine. Lets hope U of A will create more scholarships to support Ukrainian-Canadian studies and their insensitive actions in time when more Ukrainian people are dying and there is need for more research to raise awareness about Ukraine sets a terrible precedent that needs to be strongly condemned and hopefully more research centers will be establish to continue exploring truth about complex history to promote solidarity and conquer misinformation. I encourage to watch the videos by CIUS: David Marples | About the Waffen-SS “Galicia” Division and the incident in the Parliament of Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFFDUYLknQ4 and Myroslav Shkandrij | What is the Waffen-SS ‘Galicia’ Division? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUwxyQCY6o and keep learning and standing with Ukraine.
Read online from news sources, paste the title in Google Search to find links. Going through the list I hope you can decide to contact authors and ask them how they stand with Ukraine and how their writing help/hinder people of Ukraine who are currently dying from russian aggression:
Yaroslav Hunka andfamily hiding frompolitical backlash,friend says
B’nai Brith Demands Action, Not Words, AfterNazi SS Veteran Celebrated in Canadian Parliament
Waff en-SS Galicia Division & its Canada connection —centre of Trudeau’s Nazi woes
Monuments to Nazis hiding in plain sight near Philadelphia and Detroit
Canada admits letting in 2,000Ukrainian SS troopers
Nuremberg Trial Proceedings Volume 22
The SSThe SS (Schutzstaff el): The Waff en-SS
‘A shock and an embarrassment’: Canada’s governorgeneral on Parliament’s recognition of Nazi veteran
Anthony Rota’s Longstanding Ties to theHunka Family
Poland’s education minister says he’s ‘taken steps’to extradite Yaroslav Hunka
Why deny the Ukrainian Nazi connection?
Canada’s House Speaker resigns over celebration of 98-year-old who foughtin Nazi unit
Canadian university to return donation from family of man who served inNazi unit
Zelenskyy joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to 98-year-old veteran whofought with Nazis
Canada was ashamed to have saluted a Ukrainian who fought for Hitler. Butthat salute didn’t come from nowhere
Family of man who fought in Nazi unit unawareHunka would be honoured in Parliament, friendsays
In the Maelstrom: The Waffen-SS “Galicia” Division and Its Legacy by Myroslav Shkandrij
Khromeychuk, Olesya. ‘Undetermined’ Ukrainians: Post-War Narratives of the Waffen SS ‘Galicia’ Division.
Tracing the end of a war : a micro-historical approach to the Waffen SS “Galicia” division’sjourney from capitulation to civilianisation, 1945-1950
Memory, Identity and the Waffen SS “Galicia” in the Light of the Post-WWII Displacement
A Central European Diaspora under the Shadow of World War II: h e Galician Ukrainians in North America John-Paul Himka
‘The Honor They So Clearly Deserve:’ Legitimizing the Waffen-SS Galizien PER ANDERS RUDLING
‘They Defended Ukraine’: The 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Galizische Nr. 1) Revisited PER ANDERS RUDLING
In the Maelstrom The Waffen-SS ‘Galicia’ Divisionand Its Legacy By Myroslav Shkandrij
UCC Statement Sept 28, 2023
Head of Canadian Ukrainian group defends manwho fought for unit created by Nazis
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and its Fascist Roots
Canadian monument to controversial Ukrainian nationalhero ignites debate
University of Alberta and the YaroslavHunka Family Donation Why Was ItReturned?
Endowment to research Ukraine Catholics closed
University of Alberta to return $30,000 donationfrom Yaroslav Hunka’s family over Nazi ties
Letter: Hospital Foundation shouldn’terase ties to Hunka family
University of Alberta returning $30,000 donationto Yaroslav Hunka’s family, closing endowment inhis name
Statement on the Disposition of an Endowment Fund
About the SS Officer in the Gallery History is messy, horrible, complicated. All we can do is face it.
In Conversation with David Frum: Nazi Unit War Veteran Controversy
Nazi Veteran Honored in Canada Was Part of Wave of Collaborators Harbored in West
How did Ukrainian who fought with Nazis end up in Canada?
Are There Ukrainian War Criminals in Canada?
Hospital playing it safe by removing Martin Hunka from its website
Hunka debacle prompts calls to release records on former Nazis in Canada
What’s the fallout of Parliament’s Nazi debacle?
How a former Nazi unit soldier got a standing ovation in Parliament | About That
How the Canadian Parliament’s Nazi scandal fuelled a Russian disinformation campaign
Cotler calls Nazi invite result of ‘failure of indifference and inaction’, supports unsealing Deschenes records