Released on November 26, 2009
This week, Saskatchewan residents will reflect upon the millions of Ukrainians who died as a result of the Holodomor, a man-made famine that took place in 1932-1933 under the regime of Joseph Stalin.
Despite a bumper crop during that period, millions of Ukrainians starved to death as a result of the Soviet military confiscating crops and preventing the victims from receiving assistance from outside sources. The Holodomar was deliberately planned and executed by the Soviet regime under Stalin to systematically destroy the Ukrainian people's aspirations for a free and independent Ukraine.
In 2008, the Government of Ukraine, the United States Senate, the Senate of Canada, UNESCO and the United Nations joined more than 40 other jurisdictions around the world to officially condemn the Holodomor or recognize it as genocide.
"Historians estimate that possibly at least 7 million people died during this period - there is no debate that the Holodomor was one of history's worst atrocities," Deputy Premier Ken Krawetz said. "As one of the thousands of Saskatchewan residents of Ukrainian descent, I believe it is vitally important that we continue to remember this horrific genocide and honour the memory of its victims."
Last year, the Government of Saskatchewan unanimously passed legislation to designate the fourth Saturday in November each year as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day. November 21-28 is International Holodomor Remembrance Week.
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For more information, contact:
Jill Welke
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: jill.welke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-8630