The following are photographs taken on April 17, 2008 at Queen's Park, immediately after MPP Dave Levac had introduced the Holodomor Memorial Day Act in the Ontario Legislation.

From left to right: Oleh Romanyshyn, MPP Dave Levac, Orest Steciw.

From left to right:

Third row - MPP Dave Levac, Consul General Olexander Danyleiko, Orest Steciw, Marc Shwec.

Second row - Jerry Lagoznik, Irene Mycak, Andrew Gregorovich, Chrystyna Bidiak, Oksana Prociuk, Oleh Romanyshyn.

First row - Anna Lagoznik, Zenia Semiwolos (Holodomor survivor), Peggy Galan, John Skrypuch, Rev. Father Stephan Didur, Paul Grod.

Holodomor: Genocide by Famine

One of the main activities of the League of Ukrainian Canadians ( LUC ) and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women ( LUCW ) is to organize joint educational and informational projects with organizations in Ukraine to help raise awareness of the history of the Ukrainian people and promote the tenets of democracy and respect for human rights.

Therefore, on the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33, the League of Ukrainian Canadians, in cooperation with the Museum of Soviet Occupation of the Kyiv Memorial Society in Ukraine and LUCW, has produced the exhibit Holodomor: Genocide by Famine. James Mace, the Director of the U.S. Commission on the Ukraine Famine, once said: "The Ukrainian Famine was the crime of the century that nobody's ever heard of."

LUC and LUCW have dedicated considerable resources to raise awareness of what the Holodomor really was, a genocide perpetrated against the Ukrainian people. It is our hope that by teaching our children about this and other genocides, we can ensure that such crimes never occur again.

The exhibit is composed of 101 panels as follows: a) 8 introductory panels include basic facts, a glossary, the genocide in historical context, and a map of the Holodomor area; b) 7 panels include collectivization and the destruction of Ukrainian farmers, opposition to collectivization, and Soviet reaction to opposition; c) 4 panels include why the genocide was organized, as well as key documents; d) 11 panels include how the genocide was organized, as well as the blacklisting of villages, ban on travel, the "Law of Five Grain Stalks," total confiscation of foodstuffs, and export abroad; e) 3 panels include starving children; f) 6 panels include appeals for assistance from within the Holodomor area; g) 7 panels include losses and rigged demographics; h) 2 panels include ghost towns; i) 4 panels include the organizers and perpetrators of the genocide; j) 4 panels include eyewitness reports; k) 3 panels include denial and cover-up; l) 14 panels include protests and attempts at relief, as well as the International Day of Mourning and Protest, the League of Nations, and the assassination of Stalin's envoy by Mykola Lemyk; m) 7 panels include government documents on the genocide; n) 4 panels include the genocide in publications; o) 3 panels include U.S. and International Commissions on the genocide; p) 3 panels include why the Holodomor was a genocide; q) 7 panels include Holodomor remembered, as well as statements of the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine, statements of survivors, leaders and researchers, and Holodomor monuments erected worldwide; and r) 4 panels include Holodomor acknowledged, as well as the Law of Ukraine on the Holodomor, and international and national jurisdictions that have condemned the Holodomor or recognized it as genocide.

The authors of the exhibit are as follows: concept, research and development – Oleh Romanyshyn, Andrew Gregorovich, and Orest Steciw; graphic design and layout – Myhajlo Hucman and Volodymyr Paslavskyi. The exhibit was created and is copyrighted by the League of Ukrainian Canadians. For the purpose of continuing research on the Famine Genocide and further expanding the exhibit as an educational tool, contributions can be made to the Ucrainica Research Institute.

The following are photographs taken on April 18, 2008 at the opening ceremonies for the Holodomor exhibit. The opening ceremonies took place at Toronto City Hall.

Archbishop Yuriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Bishop Stefan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church perform an ecumenical prayer as part of the official opening ceremonies of the Holodomor exhibit.

Irene Mycak, Chair of the UCC Holodomor Committee and MC of the opening ceremonies, acknowledges Mykola Latyshko, a Holodomor survivor.

Michael Ignatieff, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, with Holodomor survivor Kateryna Shcherban.

Irene Mycak, MC and longtime member of the League of Ukrainian Canadians.

Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity, addresses the public at the opening ceremonies.

Dave Levac, MPP for Brant and author of the Private Member’s Bill called the Holodomor Memorial Day Act. The Bill will commemorate the Holodomor as genocide on the fourth Saturday of each November.

At the opening ceremonies for the exhibit, Dave Levac said, "A great many Ontarians have no personal experience of forced famine or tyranny, no way of knowing the anguish and chaos that plagued a dictator’s time in power.

Some of us cannot comprehend the insanity of human loss that occurred in Ukraine from 1932-33.

For that reason amongst others, it is important for all Ontarians to commemorate Holodomor and the Ukrainian community who bore its burden....

In closing, 'Never Again' has often been used as a rallying call of outrage with crimes against humanity.

That is why commemorating the Holodomor through the efforts of the League of Ukrainian Canadians here today, through the novels of my constituent Marsha Skrypuch, or through Acts of Parliament, is so important.

So we can truly claim 'NEVER AGAIN!'"

Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, official sponsor of the Holodomor exhibit, addresses the public at the Toronto City Hall Rotunda.

At the opening ceremonies for the exhibit, Orest Steciw concluded: "As the truth about the genocide emerges, we, the descendents of the victims of the Holodomor, demand justice.

We appeal to Canadians and indeed the world community. You must learn what really happened in Ukraine 75 years ago. You must condemn this evil act for what it really was, a genocide perpetrated against the Ukrainian people. You must educate future generations to condemn all genocides and to proactively prevent them from ever happening again. Only this can change humanity for the better.

This exhibit is a tribute to all those, many of whom are no longer with us today, a tribute to all those who struggled for decades to lay the foundation for exhibits such as this, and for the eventual recognition of the Holodomor as genocide."

Orest Steciw, Holodomor Projects Coordinator for LUC and LUCW, explains the importance of the Holodomor exhibit.

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, sums up concerns and future aspirations regarding a similar Bill to the Holodomor Memorial Day Act at the Federal level, and explains the importance of the International Remembrance Flame.

The International Remembrance Flame is being passed from Australia to the North American continent.

Stefan Romaniw, Chair of the International Holodomor Committee, and Stefan Horlatsch, Holodomor survivor, together light the International Remembrance Flame.

Stefan Horlatsch passes the eternal light of memory to the Ukrainian Canadian youth.

Stefan Horlatsch, together with Ukrainian dignitaries and community leaders, on the grounds of Nathan Phillips Square.

On August 17, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Andy Luty and Mary Luty, met with Deb Matthews, MPP for London North Centre and PA to the Minister Responsible for Women's

Issues and to the Minister of Community and Social Services.

They presented Deb Matthews with a copy of the documentary film, "Harvest of Despair", and consulted with her on issues pertaining to Holodomor recognition and genocide education.

To learn more about Deb Matthews, please visit her website, www.debmatthews.onmpp.ca

In the photograph: Deb Matthews. The photograph was taken from Deb Matthews' website.

On August 7, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, Peter Kryworuk, Bohdan Yemchuk and Eugene Sawchuk, met with Chris Bentley, MPP for London West and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

LUC representatives provided Mr. Bentley with a brief historical summary of the Holodomor, as well as steps taken to date to have the Holodomor recognized as genocide on all levels of government in Canada.

They explained that Ukrainian Canadians in Ontario are hopeful that after the elections a Government Bill will be introduced to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Holodomor and recognize the Holodomor as genocide.

Mr. Bentley was receptive to and supportive of the issues raised.

To learn more about Chris Bentley, please visit his website, www.chrisbentley.onmpp.ca

In the photograph, from left to right: Eugene Sawchuk, Chris Bentley, Peter Kryworuk, Bohdan Yemchuk.

On August 1, 2007 representatives of the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Lily Hopcroft and Grant Hopcroft, met with Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford and Progressive Conservative critic to Municipal Affairs and Housing. They presented Mr. Hardeman with a copy of the documentary film, "Harvest of Despair", and exchanged views with him on the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide. Mr. Hardeman said that there are few survivors of the Holodomor left, and that it would be a noble gesture to acknowledge their suffering by recognizing the Holodomor. He emphasized the importance of all-party support.

To learn more about Ernie Hardeman, please visit his website, www.erniehardemanmpp.com

In the photograph : Ernie Hardeman. The photograph was taken from Ernie Hardeman's website.

On July 30, 2007 representatives of the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Lily Hopcroft, Grant Hopcroft and Luba Kaipainen, met with Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton - Kent - Middlesex and

PA to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. They presented Maria Van Bommel with a copy of the documentary film, "Harvest of Despair", and exchanged views with her on the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide and the inclusion of the Holodomor as a compulsory component of Ontario's education curriculum.

To learn more about Maria Van Bommel, please visit her website, www.mariavanbommel.onmpp.ca

In the photograph : Maria Van Bommel. The photograph was taken from Maria Van Bommel's website.

On July 27, 2007 representatives of the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Lily Hopcroft, Grant Hopcroft, Luba Kaipainen and Dmytro Nebor, met with Steve Peters, MPP for Elgin - Middlesex - London and Minister of Labour. Mr. Peters described the process involved in getting the Holodomor recognized as genocide in the Legislature, suggested that a Private Member's Bill would be easier to pass than a Government Bill, and assured the representatives of LUC/LUCW that he would support the passage of a bill recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. He emphasized the importance of all-party support.

To learn more about Steve Peters, please visit his website, www.stevepeters.com

In the photograph : Steve Peters. The photograph was taken from Steve Peters' website.

On July 23, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women (LUCW), Irene Schumylo Newton and Maria Korda, met with Kim Craitor, MPP for Niagara Falls.

They consulted with Mr. Craitor on educating students and the public about the Holodomor, as well as recognizing the Holodomor as genocide in November of each year.

Kim Craitor said more discussion will be needed in the future to fulfill our goals on Holodomor education, and that he is very supportive of our cause.

To learn more about Kim Craitor, please visit his website, www.kimcraitor.com

In the photograph: Kim Craitor. The photograph was taken from Kim Craitor's website.

On July 23, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Dmytro Nebor and Luba Kaipainen, met with Khalil Ramal, MPP for London-Fanshawe.

They discussed the issue of Holodomor awareness and a bill recognizing the Holodomor as genocide. Luba Kaipainen and Dmytro Nebor presented Mr. Ramal with a copy of the documentary film, "Harvest of Despair", and greetings from Premier McGuinty for the exhibit "Not To Be Forgotten", displayed at the London Public Library (Central) in London, 2005.

To learn more about Khalil Ramal, please visit his website, www.khalilramal.onmpp.ca

In the photograph: Khalil Ramal. The photograph was taken from: http://www.khalilramal.onmpp.ca/photos.htm

On July 20, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, Yuri Spolsky and Orest Steciw, met with Peter Fonseca, MPP for Mississauga East.

LUC representatives presented Mr. Fonseca with a copy of the documentary film, "Harvest of Despair", and a complimentary package of official documents recognizing the Holodomor as genocide.

LUC members consulted with Peter Fonseca on the issue of recognizing the Holodomor as genocide in the Province of Ontario.

To learn more about Peter Fonseca, please visit his website: www.peterfonseca.onmpp.ca

In the photograph: Peter Fonseca. The photograph was taken from Mr. Fonseca's website.

On July 27, 2007 Orest Steciw and Volodymyr Paslavskyi, members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, and Anne Szepetyk, member of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, met with Laurel Broten, MPP for

Etobicoke-Lakeshore and Minister of the Environment.

LUC/LUCW representatives presented Ms. Broten with a copy of the documentary film on the Holodomor, "Harvest of Despair", and discussed the issue of building support for Holodomor recognition.

To learn more about Laurel Broten, please visit her website, www.laurelbroten.onmpp.ca

In the photograph, from left to right: Anne Szepetyk, Laurel Broten, Orest Steciw, Volodymyr Paslavskyi.

On July 26, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, Orest Steciw, Volodymyr Paslavskyi and Danylo Bodnaruk (Secretary of the League of Ukrainian Canadians' Hamilton chapter), and the President of the League of

Ukrainian Canadian Women's Hamilton chapter, Parania Bodnaruk, met with Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot and PA for the Minister of Education.

LUC/LUCW representatives presented Mr. McMeekin with a Holodomor package, including the latest official documents on the Ukrainian Famine Genocide, and a copy of the documentary film "Harvest of Despair". Together they discussed the issue of Holodomor recognition.

To learn more about Ted McMeekin, please visit his website, www.tedmcmeekin.com

In the photograph, from left to right: Ted McMeekin, Parania Bodnaruk, Orest Steciw.

On July 24, 2007 members of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, Orest Steciw and Volodymyr Paslavskyi, met with Dave Levac, MPP for Brant, Whip of the Liberal Party and Vice-President of the Cabinet's Education Committee.

LUC representatives presented Mr. Levac with a copy of the documentary film on the Holodomor, "Harvest of Despair", and discussed the issue of Holodomor recognition.

To learn more about Dave Levac, please visit his website, www.davelevac.on.ca

In the photograph, from left to right: Volodymyr Paslavskyi, Dave Levac, Orest Steciw.