No. 46 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11,1984 9

Ukrainian National Youth Federation: a look back, a look ahead by Sen. Paul Yuzyk expenses, and was expected to bring back money for the operational costs of The 1930s saw the emergence and the dominion executive. rapid rise of three national Ukrainian I toured the larger Ukrainian centers youth organizations in Canada. The in eastern Canada, in 1936, and I Canadian Ukrainian Youth Associa­ often received violent opposition from tion (SUMK) was established in 1931 by the Communists and needed police the Ukrainian Self-Reliance League protection. I won support from the (SUS), supporters of the Ukrainian English press and was able to form Greek Orthodox Church. The Ukrai­ many UNYF branches. In 19371 toured nian National Youth Federation was a large number of urban and rural formed in 1934 in affiliation with the centers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ukrainian National Federation (UNO), Alberta. I succeeded in organizing 24 which espoused the cause of Ukrainian new branches and persuaded four large nationalism. The Ukrainian Catholic SUMK branches of the Ukrainian Youth (UKYU) was brought into being Orthodox Cathedral of Winnipeg to join the UNYF in November 1938. in 1939 by the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood, a secular wing of the This experience proved to be most church. valuable to me in my future university All of these organizations were esta­ career and particularly in my senatorial: blished in Saskatoon, which was identi­ work. fied as the cradle of Ukrainian or­ ganized life in Canada. It should be Record of achievement mentioned that earlier, in 1926, the Ukrainian Labour-Farmer Temple The youth of the 30s was idealistic Association, a pro-Communist group, and dynamic. The members of the had established in Winnipeg its youth UNYF used their unbounded energy for section, which used the name Young good constructive work as well as Communist League (Komsomol). recreation. They attended meetings, In the 1930s, the children of the often weekly; learned the Ukrainian Ukrainian pioneers who had settled on language, literature and history, public vast prairie lands and in cities and towns speaking in both languages, organiza­ of western and eastern Canada prior to tional procedure, Ukrainian folk-danc­ World War I, had grown into their teens ing, and choral and instrumental music. and 20s. Thousands were finishinghig h They took part in meetings, concerts, school, and hundreds were entering plays, socials, bazaars, picnics, rallies universities. This was the first Cana­ Paul Yuzyk of Saskatoon, dominion organizer, with Mary Tuchak, executive and in a variety of sports. The girls also dian-born generation of Ukrainians member from Winnipeg, with the UNYF plane with MUN insignia at air show in practiced needlework, weaving, Easter- that began organizing all aspects of Oshawa in July 1938. egg designing and coloring, and home their life in'this country - religious, served to strengthen the force of the gress. Branches sprang up in rapid cooking. Prior to World War II, the educational, cultural, social, political subversive Communists and to embitter succession in most of the Ukrainian- halls which accommodated these and economic. Youth was seeking its serious-minded Ukrainians. populated urban centers and in many branches were virtual beehives of activi­ place within the Ukrainian community No level-headed Ukrainian, and least rural communities in all the provinces, ty. as well as in Canadian life. At this time, of all Ukrainian Canadian students and except the Maritimes, where few Ukrai­ Several outstanding achievements the Ukrainians were preponderantly youths, could be happy with such an nians had settled. during the 50 years of organizational rural, which explains why organizations eruptive state of affairs in Canada. They At the first national convention in work warrant special, even though brief easily established branches in hundreds knew that the Ukrainians could hope to Saskatoon in June 1935, there were mention. of villages. However, these gradually make progress and prove themselves to delegates from 14 branches who elected " In 1935, the UNYF established a decreased in number as urban centers be a constructive and loyal element in a national executive. At the next con­ Ukrainian Radio-Telegraphy School in grew, particularly after World War II. Canadian life only if religious tolerance vention a year later there were 28 Toronto. Many boys graduated from This year, 1984, marks the 50th was achieved and the stamp of commu­ branches. The number soon increased these courses, most of whom later anniversary of the Ukrainian National nism was wiped off the Ukrainian to over 40. volunteered for service in the Canadian Youth Federation of Canada, whose image. The crying need was for unity The UNYF published a page in both armed forces, some becoming officers Ukrainian name was Molodi Ukrainski directed toward idealism and supported Ukrainian and English in the weekly in the navy. Some paid the supreme Natsionalisty (Young Ukrainian Na­ by action. newspaper New Pathway. Elected or­ sacrifice for their country. tionalist), which in the 1970s changed to In 1934, a group of high school, ganizers toured most of the Ukrainian " In 1938, the UNYF conducted a Molod Ukrainskoho Natsionalnoho teachers' training school and university communities, established branches and fund-raising campaign, which made it Obiednannia (MUNO). it is interesting students, together with other youths, gave instructions regarding various possible to purchase an airplane and to note briefly the achievements of this met in Saskatoon in the beautiful new activities. The response of the youth establish a Ukrainian Flying School in organization, which was very dynamic Ukrainian Home of Education and everywhere was better than had been Oshawa, Ont. Close to 100 took the in its early stages, but which later launched the U krainian National Youth expected. In 1939, prior to W^)rld War course in aeronautics and practical gradually lost ground and influence. Federation. Working in cooperation II, there were 53 branches. The UNYF flying, with 35 graduating with pilot's with the Ukrainian National Federa­ reached its peak in 1948 with 61 branches licenses. At the outbreak of the war, Founders' ideals tion, the leaders of this new youth in Canada. most of them joined the RAF and the movement crystallized their aims in a The present organization of the 80s RCAF, with some being killed in In the early 30s, during the Great credo, later known as the Seven Beliefs. knows virtually nothing about the great action. Many other UNYF members Depression, the situation among the In brief, they are as follows: efforts and sacrifices that were made by served in the Canadian armed forces quarter million Ukrainians who at that " faith in Canada; the pioneer founders and leaders of the during World War II. time were preponderantly farmers and " faith in the dignity of the individual; UNYF. The organization is indebted to " The UNYF went into the Commu­ laborers led by a small but growing " faith in social progress through such leaders of the Ukrainian National nist strongholds and, along with the group of Canadian-educated intellec­ democratic reform; Federation as Alexander Gregorovich, Ukrainian National Federation, greatly tuals, was, to say the least, most dis­ " faith in the moral principles of president; Michael Pohorecky, editor of weakened the Communist movement in couraging. The people were divided into Christianity; the New Pathway; Wolodymyr Kossar; such Ontario cities asSudbury.Timmins, three apparently irreconcilable camps: a faith in cultural traditions; and Dr. Timothy Pavlychenko, univer­ Kirkland Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, To­ Greek Catholics, Orthodox and Com­ " faith in the liberty of all peoples; sity ecologist. They encouraged and ronto, as well as in Saskatoon, Ed­ munists. " faith in the liberty of Ukraine. helped young people, such as Anthony monton, Vancouver and other places. The latter were making the most The leaders were convinced that these Hlynka (later an MP), Kornylo Magera, Many former Communist followers rapid headway as the movement was time-proven ideals would motivate the Walter Davidiuk, John Kishynsky, joined the nationalist associations. financed by Stalin's Comintern. With a youths to use their boundless energy for Proctor Sawchuk and this writer to set " From the outset, the organization popular name, the Ukrainian Labour- constructive purposes that would bene­ up a Committee on Youth and Plast in maintained a bilingual youth page in the Farmer Temple Association (ULFTA), fit Canada and the Ukrainian people, 1934. This committee drew up a consti­ New Pathway, and later published its under the leadership of the Communist and would thus contribute to progress tution and established the UNYF, using own magazine, Holos Molodi: Youth Party of Canada, openly advocated in all walks of life. Pride in their the Ukrainian Plast as a model. Speaks, followed by MUN Beams and materialistic Marxism, supported So­ ancestry and the development of their Being a Saskatoonian and a teacher New Perspectives. It published several viet Ukraine and the Soviet Union, and cultural heritage would surely enrich then in Hafford.'Sask., I was persuaded pamphlets, such as "A Ukrainian Song agitated for a proletarian revolution in the life of Canada and make this to be elected the first dominion presi­ Book," "Seven Presidents in Uniform" Canada. (Today this small pro-Soviet country one of the finest in the world. dent. I was re-elected in 1936-37, 1941- and Prof. Andrusyshen's "Ukrainian element operates under the misleading, Their vision was in many ways fulfilled. 43 and J945-46. In 1936,1 decided to quit Literature and its Guiding Light, Shev- popular name of Association of United teaching and devote one year to or­ chenko," and booklets such as Andrew Ukrainian Canadians). Rapid expansion ganizational work without pay. I was Gregorovich's "Books on Ukraine and The bitter Orthodox-Catholic reli­ provided with a railway ticket — Saska­ the Ukrainians" and "Canadian Folk gious struggle, sometimes resorting to With a clear-cut policy of action, the toon-Montreal, return with stop­ Dance." violence among the Ukrainians, only UNY1- immediately made rapid pro- overs - costing S29, plus S!0 for (Continued on page 12) - 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1984 No. 46

many of whom have attained high After the war, Mr. Bandera re­ Ukrainian National... Cabinet positions in provincial and Twenty-five... sumed his activities with his faction (Continued from page 9) federal governments. Their leading role (Continued from page 3) of the OUN in Munich. He became " Besides giving wholehearted sup­ in multiculturalism was instrumental in In the end, Mr. Bandera, My- editor of a newspaper, Shliakh Pere- port to the Canadian war effort to make the establishment of a federal ministry kola Lebed and Yaroslav Karpy- mohy, and was instrumental in the the world safe for democracy and of multiculturalism in 1972, the en­ nets were sentenced to death, while establishment of the Anti-Bolshevik human freedom, the UNYF aided the trenchment of multiculturalism in the the others received lengthy prison Bloc of Nations. To many of his movement for the freedom and inde­ new Canadian constitution of 1982, and terms. The death sentences were later followers in the West and in Ukraine, pendence of Ukraine by spreading the recognition of Ukrainian in the commuted to life imprisonment. he came to symbolize the ongoing information about the situation in public and secondary schools and in the In 1938, Mr. Konovalets was revolutionary struggle in Ukraine Ukraine and about Ukraine's right to universities. This political action gua­ assassinated in Rotterdam when a against Soviet occupation, which freedom. Canadians were reminded rantees the preservation and develop­ bomb went off in a package he was was epitomized by the partisan that theSoviet Union was an aggressive, ment of Ukrainian culture, and. hence, carrying. warfare of the UPA. which fought on imperialistic Communist power, which the survival of Ukrainians in Canada. After the Nazis invaded Poland in against Soviet and Communist forces destroyed freedom and democracy and On the threshold of the next half September 1939. Mr. Bandera.along until the mid-1950s. supported subversive fifth columns in century, the leaders of the UNYF. and with scores of Ukrainian political Canada and the free world. the UNF. are planning their future. prisoners, was I reed. Assassination They are painfully aware that the once " UNYF activities greatly expanded dynamic organization has dwindled to a The war years Given the volatile situation in on a broader and more popular base few branches existing only in large cities. Ukraine and Eastern Europe, the during the period following World War Hopefully, they are also awarethat with Following the German invasion of Soviets were irked by the activities of II. The national organizer. Michael its broad appeal to all sectors of the Poland. Cracow became the seat of the OUN in the West. In 1950. they Orychiwsky. a Montreaier. organized Ukrainian youth the potential for the j Ukrainian nationalist activity. Po- had approached a young Ukrainian six Youth Festivals and 45 Ukrainian expansion of their activities and mem­ I - land ceased to exist as a country and named Bohdan Stashynsky and, as Cavalcades in most of the large Ukrai­ bership is there. nian centers across Canada. These became the so-called Generalgouver- he was to testify later, told him to co­ Looking back, one fact becomes clear. nement (of Poland) which also involved the youth talent of the regions operate or his parents and sisters The generation of the 80s is vastly included a small area of Ukrainian would be harmed. He was ordered to performing Ukrainian dances and con­ lands west of the Sian and Bug rivers. ducting choirs, which were appreciated different from the generation of the 30s. report on nationalist activities in and So are the situations and altitudes. The German-occupied Poland also be­ around Lviv. When Ukrainian na­ by thousands of people. Ukrainian came a refuge for some 20,000 Ukrai­ culture was popularized, which attracted pioneer youths of the 30s, having just tionalists assassinated pro-Soviet discovered their rich cultural heritage, nians from Soviet-controlled western author Yaroslav Halan. Mr. large numbers to the UNYF. Unfor­ Ukraine. tunately, there was almost no follow-up forged ahead with idealism and enthu­ Stashynsky provided the KGB with siasm to win recognition and a viable Under the Germans, tensions soon information that led to their arrest. to these popular activities and the organization soon declined. place in Canadian society. They were mounted in the OUN, and by 1941 - Later, he was trained in Kiev and sent conscious that protection of their the eve of the'German invasion of the to Germany under an assumed " From the UNYF ranks emerged cultural rights and the defense of the Soviet Union - it had split into two identity. several distinguished parliamentarians factions, one controlled by Mr. cause of Ukraine's freedom required On October 12, Dr. Lev Rebel was such as Anthony Hlynka, federal mem­ political action. UNYF'ers Hlynka, Bandera and the other by Col. Andriy found dead near his Munich office. Melnyk. ber from Vegreville, Alta; Ambrose Holowach and Starr won seats in the At first, it was believed that the OUN Holowach, federal member from Ed­ federal parliament, the latter becoming The German attack on the USSR leader had died of natural causes. In monton and later provincial secretary in minister of labor, where they ably in June 1941 provided the opportu­ fact, he had been stalked and killed the Alberta government; Michael Starr, defended the interests of their people. nity for Ukrainian nationalists in by Mr. Stashynsky, who used a mayor of Oshawa and federal minister My role in the Senate helped to achieve Germany and German-occupied Po­ weapon similar to the one he would of labor in the Diefenbaker govern­ land to return to Ukraine. Many of implementation of multiculturalism employ two years later against Mr. ment; Michael Wladyka, mayor of Port through a federal ministry and its them accompanied the German army Bandera. as interpreters. Hope for many years; Brigadier-General recognition in the Constitution as well as After assassinating Mr. Bandera, Joseph Romanow; Leon Kossar, jour­ the defense of human rightsa t NATO, There were also two Ukrainian Mr. Stashynsky fled to the Soviet nalist and executive-director of the Helsinki review conferences and the companies in the German army zone. In August 1961, he crossed into Canadian Folk Arts Council; Walter composed of members of the OUN United Nations. the Western zone in Berlin and told Klymkiw, conductor of the Koshetz faction led by Mr. Bandera. One. authorities that he had murdered two The present generation of youths in called Nachtigall, was commanded Choir, Andrew Gregorovich, editor of well-known emigre nationalist leaders Forum; and others. the UNYF apparently is interested in by Roman ShukhevychK who was in Munich several years earlier. After the retention of some of the beautiful later to die as commander of the a trial, a German court sentenced " When the Royal Commission on visible aspects of Ukrainian culture - underground Ukrainian Insurgent him to the relatively light term of Bilingualism and Biculturalism held its Army (UPA). It entered Lviv with and that is good to a point. They are, eight years' imprisonment. Released briefings in the mid-1960s, the UNYF however, much less interested in politi­ the Germans on June 30, 1941. The in the late 1960s, Mr. Stashynsky strongly advocated a policy of mu!ticul- other, Roland, fought in Rumania. cal and community action. It appears disappeared. There were persistent turalism for Canada, as it was the only that the leadership has little knowledge On June 30, members of the OUN reports that he was brought to the concept that guaranteed the equality of and little understanding of the signifi­ headed by Mr. Bandera organized a United States for intelligence pur­ Canadians of all origins and the free cant achievements of the past. Certainly gathering of citizens in Lviv, poses, although this was never con­ development of all cultures in the the UNYF founders and achievers were proclaimed the re-establishment of firmed. Canadian mosaic pattern. Through not honored or featured in the 50th the Ukrainian state and announced Earlier this year, a South African their excellent folk-dance ensembles, anniversary celebrations in Saskatoon choirs, orchestras and artistic creativity, that Mr. Bandera had appointed newspaper quoted a South African in June and Toronto in October. No Yaroslav Stetsko as the head of the military official as saying that Mr. the UNYF significantly contributed to provisional government. the cultural enrichment of Canadian clear vision, direction or drive is Stashynsky had undergone facial evident. Shortly thereafter, however, the surgery and was living in the coastal life. Gestapo arrested Mr. Stetsko and city of Durban. The report said that This is an impressive record of A non-partisan, non-sectarian or­ other nationalist leaders, including he had worked for South African achievement, which would be much ganization, such as the Ukrainian Mr. Bandera. After refusing to re­ security forces. more meaningful if an illustrated history National Youth Federation of Canada, voke the proclamation, Mr. Bandera Mr. Bandera was survived by his of the UNYF were written and pub­ which will continue to emphasize U- was sent to prison in Berlin and later wife, Yaroslawa, now deceased, and lished. I am happy to have played some krainian Canadian unity as well as to the Sachsenhausen concentration three children, Natalka, Lesia and part in the founding of this youth Canadian unity, is indispensable at this camp, where he sat out virtually the Andriy, who died this year in To­ federation and in the development of its time. If the leadership and membership remainder of the war. ronto. many-sided activities during the first rededicate themselves to the high ideals two decades. expressed in the Seven Beliefs and push" forward with an all-around The next half century constructive program of activities, they will attract new youth into the UNYF STILL AVAILABLE Even after the UN.YF had a network ranks. This will necessitate adaptation, a of over 50 branches from coast to coast difficult but necessary process. If the SAGA OF UKRAINE in Canada prior to World War II, and UNYF will train and provide new AN OUTLINE HISTORY cultural and economic activities were at leaders for the whole Ukrainian society their peak, there were voices of the older in Canada, as was done in the past, this Vol. 1 - The Age of Royalty generation which prophesied that the will be a positive service and contribu­ Vol. 2 - The Age of Heroism Ukrainians could not overcome assimi­ tion to the well-being and progress of (in English) lation and were doomed to extinction in the Ukrainian people and Canada. The Ely Myron B. Kuropas another generation. cooperation and support of the past On the contrary, the Ukrainian members of the UNYF, as well as the Only S2.00 each at the: Canadians have not only survived leaders of the UN F, of the Churches and Svoboda Book Store culturally, but have won many high of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee 30 Montgomery St. positions in all walks of Canadian life. are vital in order to achieve success and a Jersey City, N. J. 07302 For example, they have made tre­ better future. mendous achievements in municipal, Should every generation start on its iNew Jeisev residents add 6'.. sales lax) provincial and federal politics, having own, or should lessons be learned from elected over 130 parliamentarians. the past?