After another winter hiatus, our newsletter is back with updates on events in our Latvian community.
Our AGM was held on March 7th. The members of your executive for 2010-11 are Aija Galeviuss, Anita Clark, Edgars Rudzitis, Ena Rudovics, Helen Richards, Inta London, Jim McDonald, Juris Kononovs, Liesma Mithrush,
Linda Payne, Martin Osis and Ruta Vitins. We thank Janis Braze for his contributions to the executive over the years, most recently as auditor.
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The documentary film The Soviet Story (
www.thesovietstory.com) will be shown to the general public on Thursday, May 13th, at 7pm at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex at 9615—153 Ave. This event is co-sponsored by the Edmonton branches of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the League of Ukrainian Canadians
& the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, Imanta, and Tribute to Liberty in Toronto.
Ticket price is $10/adult; children and students under 18 are free. This film is incredibly well-documented and well-written. The director, Edvīns Šņore, is coming from Latvia for screenings of his film in New York and
Ottawa. He will also be in Edmonton for our event. There will be a reception and discussion following the film.
Please share this information with anyone who might be interested.
IMANTA is hosting a family picnic on Sunday, May 16th, from 2-5pm at picnic site #3 in William Hawrelak Park. It’s the covered picnic shelter closest to the playground. We will supply burgers, wieners, beverages, fruit and veggies. Please bring children, lawn chairs, balls and kites. It would be especially great to see young families and new arrivals come out to meet each other.
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Gardening season is here! For the past two years, Imanta has donated $1000.00 to the University Farm Organic Growers (UFOG), a non-profit, collectively run community garden located on the UofA farm near Foote Field on the south side of the city. Volunteers who work in the garden benefit by receiving produce and vegetables as they are harvested. A little bit of work in the sun will give you fresh vegetables throughout the summer. If you don’t have a garden or would like to garden more, this is a good group to get involved with.
For electronic access to UFOG, one needs a Google gmail account. Simply log in to the following account
http://groups.google.com/group/ufog-edm The only criteria for joining is “how did you learn of the UofA Co-op”. Indicate
you are with IMANTA. All information will be available once you join.
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More Latvians are arriving in both Edmonton and Calgary almost monthly, which is always good news! One young man has just finished a year of studies and basketball at Kings’ College in Edmonton. He’s staying here for the summer and needs to earn money for next year’s tuition. If anyone can offer any kind of part- time or full-time work, please contact him directly at
janis.assers@inbox.lv*******
Our condolences to the family and friends of Alija Celinskis, who passed away on April 7, 2010.
Congratulations to Kaspars Zauls, who received IMANTA’s scholarship at NAIT in February. He is finishing his studies in the Business Administration- Finance program. The next deadline for application is August 31, 2010 and application information is available at
www.nait.ca/scholarships. Our scholarship is listed under “T” as The Edmonton Latvian Society IMANTA. On the last page of this newsletter is information about IMANTA’s new self-administered scholarship program. This program is the result of one year’s work and is tangible evidence of the kind of work we want to do. We are looking for benefits to members of our community and we want to involve more people. We want to encourage and support those who aim to improve themselves and, by extension, our community. We especially want to support our youth in their studies and encourage them to learn more about their heritage and be proud of it.
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Looking ahead:
- Our Līgo celebration is planned for Saturday, June 26th, at Lake Isle. Details to follow in the next newsletter.
- Martin Osis is organizing a vēžu balle (crayfish party) weekend at Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park on Carson Lake (near Whitecourt) for July 31-August 2. A group campsite has been reserved for IMANTA members and friends. Who knew we had crayfish in Alberta? Martin has the knowledge and talent to make any outdoor experience memorable. Please mark this on your calendar and plan to come out, even if for one day. More information in next newsletter.
- Plans are underway to organize a joint Edmonton-Calgary Latvian choir. Practices would be workshop-style and time commitment would be minimal. This will be open to everyone – you do not have to speak Latvian to sing Latvian! More information to follow.
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If you wish to receive this electronically, or if you have any questions/comments about items in this newsletter, please contact
rudovics@telus.net or at 780-468-2728.
Imanta is pleased to announce the introduction of our self‐administered scholarship program, funded by our ongoing casino program and governed by the regulations of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Available Funding
- The IMANTA ‘Lāčplēsis’ Scholarship: Full Time Post‐Secondary Scholarship $2,500
- The IMANTA ‘Staburags’ Scholarship: Part‐Time Post‐Secondary Scholarship $1,000
- The IMANTA ‘Draugi’ Scholarship: Part‐Time Continuing Education Scholarship $500
Scholarship Eligibility
♦ Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens, non‐visitors, foreign students on visa
♦ Full or part‐time students as defined by the accredited post‐secondary educational institution
♦ Awarded on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, and/or financial need
Application Process
♦ Applicants to submit a 1,000 word essay describing how their Latvian heritage has influenced them as residents of Alberta (previous winners to submit a 750 word essay);
♦ Deadline for applications to be received by the adjudication committee by no later than June 30th of each year
♦ Payment will be made directly to the individual upon submission of proof of attendance (i.e. tuition receipt) at the recognized educational institution.
Submit applications to:
The Edmonton Latvian Society “Imanta”
c/o 9308 – 82 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6C 2X5
Attn: Adjudication Committee
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
All accredited post‐secondary educational institutions in Canada governed by the University Act or the Colleges Act or the Technical Institutes Act.
NUMBER/VALUE OF AWARDS
To be funded by June 30th, 2010:
♦ a maximum of 6 x $2,500 scholarships, 3 x $1,000 scholarships and 4 x $500 scholarships eligible for course work completed in the 2009/2010 academic year
A further $30,000 will be available for distribution by November 30, 2011.
Wreath-making will start at 3pm and some flowers will be provided, but please bring flowers and oak branches if you can. There will be piragi-tasting and cheese-tasting contests as well, and we hope for many entries as last year’s winner defends his title. We will provide roast pork, wieners, salads, rye bread, cheese, dessert and refreshments. Bring a lawnchair for your own use. There will be a bonfire later, weather permitting. Remember to bring your old wreaths to throw on the fire.
Imanta Latvian Society Of Edmonton 