15. Ukrainian Family Ties w/Peter McFarlane
Summary
Hosts Alex Kosh, Sarah Riga, and Chuka Ijekum welcome author Peter McFarlane to discuss his book *Family Ties*. McFarlane details the Nazi collaboration of Chrystia Freeland’s grandfather, Michael Chomiak, contrasting it with the Holocaust survival story of Anne Charney. The episode explores how Western Ukrainian ethno-nationalists were welcomed into Canada as anti-communists, allowing their fascist ideologies to persist without denazification.
Topics discussed
Introduction and book overview
Research origins and parallel stories
Western Ukrainian history and nationalism
Immigration to Canada and Cold War politics
Michael Chomiak's wartime activities
Chomiak's life in Canada and ideology
Freeland's political navigation and family
Impact of the 2022 invasion on discourse
Uncovering SS veterans in Canada
Anne Charney's perspective and conclusion
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