Letter to Editor

March 18, 2011

Re: Righting the Wrong, The New Pathway, #5, February 3

 Regarding UCC President Paul Grod’s letter in your fine paper (re Righting the Wrong, March 3, 2011), Vujko Ilko asked me to respond.

He considers it regrettable that UCC failed to engage sufficiently with the Canadian Museum For Human Rights over the last seven years or so when its policies were being formulated. The result is that Ukraine’s genocide may not be given the prominence it deserves despite last year’s “85 representations” by UCC to error correct. 

Vujko notes that in all those years, UCC had inadequate representation in the various Museum bodies to ensure equitable treatment for the Holodomor.  He notes that in the last few days, the Museum added Dr. Lindy Ledohowski to its Board of Trustees, but warns that UCC must not be placated by this gesture; in itself insufficient to ensure the Holodomor’s rightful place in the Canadian institution.  Also, he is surprised that Dr. Ledohowski’s involvement with the issue and/or the Ukrainian community was not indicated in the announcement.

Mr. Grod deems Vujko Ilko’s concerns a sign of “not being involved”, “condemnation” and “ridicule”.  Vujko disagrees.

He wishes UCC every success with the Museum and other issues important to our community and will continue to follow and comment on them. This is his privilege and right in a democratic country.   

Readers may wish to read one of my commentaries influenced by Vujko Ilko, titled “Canada’s Reputation with CMHR” which appeared in The New Pathway, issue 9 on March 3.  

 Oksana Bashuk Hepburn,

for Vujko Ilko