IMANTA celebrated Latvian Independence Day on Sunday, November 23 — a huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us!

A special thank you to Dace Veinberga, who joined us from Toronto, representing the Latvian National Federation in Canada (Latviešu Nacionālā Apvienība Kanādā/LNAK). Her presentation about the Canadian Latvian Virtual Museum reminded us that one of the key figures who founded the central Latvian organization in Canada in 1948 was Konrads Dobelis from Edmonton, who founded IMANTA in 1947.

We also listened to the Latvian President’s video greeting and Latvian National Anthem, celebrated Zane Gara for her hard work with the Children’s Latvian School, and later watched a video of the school’s weekly activities, and enjoyed Edgars Rudzītis’ talk about Growing up with Latvian Heritage in Canada.

Thank you to all the hardworking IMANTA board members and extra helpers who brought this amazing event to life! Happy Birthday, Latvia! Saules Mūžu Latvijai!

Please join us for IMANTA’s Latvian Independence Day Afternoon Tea! Celebrate with refreshments, interesting presentations, and connect with the community!

Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 1:00pm
Laurier Heights Community League
14405 85 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5R 3Z3

Special guest Dace Veinberga will be visiting from the Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNAK) in Toronto and speaking to us about the “Canadian Latvian Virtual Museum.”

Free entry with light refreshments
Please RSVP by writing imantaedmonton@gmail.com

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Laipni lūdzam uz IMANTAs rīkoto Latvijas Valsts Svētku tējas pēcpusdienu! Svinēsim ar atspirdzinājumiem, interesantām prezentācijām un kopā būšanu!

Svētdien, 2025.g. 23. novembrī, plkst. 13:00
Laurier Heights Community League
14405 85 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5R 3Z3

Dace Veinberga viesosies no Latviešu Nacionālās apvienības Kanādā (LNAK) Toronto un pastāstīs mums par “Kanādas Latviešu virtuālo muzeju”.

Ieeja bez maksas ieskaita vieglas uzkodas
Lūdzu, apstipriniet savu dalību, rakstot imantaedmonton@gmail.com

Meklējam aktīvus komandas biedrus valsts svētku priekšnesumam!
Dod ziņu, ja vēlies pievienoties!
Vairāk informācija sekos

We are looking for active team members for the Independence Day performance!
Let us know if you’d like to join us!
More information will follow

IMANTA Latvian Society of Edmonton is pleased to announce the Dr. Ena Rudovics Memorial Scholarship for 2025/2026. Our program is dedicated to honouring Ena’s legacy of community leadership and nurturing the values she championed. Funds for this program are allocated in accordance with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s approved use of casino proceeds for the Society.

Scholarship Eligibility

The scholarship is open to:

• Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or foreign students on visa and are registered as full or part-time students as defined by the accredited or licensed educational institution
• Applicants who are registered in a Continuing Education course related to a career goal

Eligible Institutions

All accredited post-secondary educational institutions in Canada. Such institutions include universities, colleges, polytechnics, and trades training institutions that the Advisory Committee is satisfied are duly accredited or licensed.

Scholarship Award Criterion

Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s response to the application question (or requirements). Other criteria that may be considered are the applicant’s demonstration of leadership, volunteerism, or community involvement, and/or academic record.

Evaluation Process

Applications will be evaluated by an advisory committee consisting of at least one IMANTA board member and two members from the community at large.  The committee will present its recommendations to the Executive for approval. IMANTA’s Executive retains final approval over the selection of scholarship recipients.

Application Process

All applicants must complete and submit the attached application form along with the four requirements as listed on the form. The deadline for scholarship applications relating to enrollment in the 2025/2026 fall/winter program or the 2026 spring/summer program must be received by IMANTA no later than October 31, 2025. Awards will be announced in November 2025. 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 by email to:
The Edmonton Latvian Society ‘Imanta’
Attn: Adjudication Committee
imantaedmonton@gmail.com

The 2025 Midsummer Festivities have officially wrapped up – and what a celebration it was! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us to make it unforgettable.

Extra love and gratitude to all the amazing people who helped bring it to life – we couldn’t have done it without your energy, creativity, and dedication.

Your continued support means the world to us. We’re already looking forward to the next time we gather – until then, stay joyful, stay connected, and see you soon!

Priecīgus Līgo Svētkus!

Sanāksim kopā uz Līgo svinībām, sestdien, 14. jūnijā!
Let’s get together for a Ligo picnic, Saturday, June 14!

Kur/Where: Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, Site #1
13221 Buena Vista Rd NW,
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

Laiks/Time: 4PM-8PM

Ieeja/Admission: Brīva/Free

Please bring:

• drinks of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic – water will be available)
• outdoor chairs or picnic blankets
• any flowers you would like to share for making head wreaths

Dienas kārtība / Schedule:

• 4:00pm – Vainagu pīšana + aktivitātes / Craft your head wreath + activities
• 6:00pm – Vakariņas (IMANTA gādas hamburgerus, hotdogs un dažādas piedevas) / (Dinner (IMANTA is serving hamburgers, hotdogs and various sides)
• 7:00pm – Balvu izloze (jāiesniedz paveiktās aktivitātes) / Prize draw (turn in completed activities)

Once again Imanta is hosting a casino event. Volunteers make it work! Our involvement in AGLC casinos helps us to keep running our scholarship, senior’s and children’s programs.  Without the funding that AGLC distributes to us, we would not be able to keep these programs going. The casino event will run from April 27 to April 28, 2025 at Century Casino, 13103 Fort Road NW, Edmonton. Please consider signing up for a shift or two! We will even provide you with a meal! You can work both days, but casino rules prevent signing up for two different shifts. Both shifts have to be in the same position. Volunteers can use a cab service to get to and from the Casino. Keep your receipts and present them to a board member of Imanta and we will reimburse you!

We are using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming casino event.

Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click this link to see our SignUp time slots –Sign up Link
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.

Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me directly at imantaedmonton@gmail.com and I can sign you up manually.

Alberta has a unique charitable gaming model. It is the only province in Canada where charitable organizations are licensed to conduct and manage casino events. The Alberta government has established a system where proceeds from charitable gaming activities,  including casino events, are allocated to support nonprofit groups and charitable causes. This involves volunteers of the nonprofit working with licensed casinos to run gaming events like casino nights, where the proceeds from the event are donated to the nonprofit organization. This fundraising event means that Imanta earns revenue to keep things like our scholarship program, senior’s taxis, and children’s programs running.

So, what would a volunteer do?
It’s not as scary as it sounds.  It’s actually terribly easy (and sometimes even boring). No previous casino experience is required!  All volunteers are trained during their shift, and there are always advisors present to answer any questions and ensure everything goes smoothly. There’s also a comfortable Volunteer Lounge with plenty of seating, a TV, and snacks! You can also order a complimentary meal from the casino’s restaurant while working your shift. There are two key areas within the casino that depend on volunteer workers:  The Cash Cage and the Count Room.
The Cash Cage Room:
Chips and cash are held in this room. It is accessible to casino players’ to redeem their chips won for cash. The General Manager, Banker and Cashier volunteers will be in this room along with a casino advisor.
Position: Banker
The Banker helps supervise the cash cage. This includes ensuring the security of the chips and cash, and working with the cashiers to ensure correct payouts are made. A casino advisor is always nearby to help monitor.
Position: Cashier
The cashier’s role is similar to a bank teller’s. The cashier interacts directly with casino players. The cashier redeems players’ chips for cash. A casino advisor is always nearby to help monitor the amount of cash for chips.
Position: Chip Runner
The chip runner works with casino security to open and close tables, and deliver chips to the game tables. When required, security will lead the chip runner to the appropriate tables to deliver the chips. Chip Runners can spend the majority of their shift in the Volunteer Lounge waiting for a notification of when they are needed.
The Count Room:
This is a separate room near the Cash Cage. Volunteers wait in the volunteer lounge until there is a count of chips and cash to complete near the casino’s closing hours. There is always a
casino advisor to supervise and help with the count and handling of chips and cash. Count room volunteers take on one of four possible jobs:
1. Sorter: Sorts all cash or chips by denomination
2. Counter: Counts the sorted cash or chips, by denomination
3. Recorder: Records the number of bills, coins, and chips counted in a computer
4. Amalgamator: Verifies the cash or chips counted and groups them into bundles

The volunteer work involved is very easy, safe, and secure. There is always a friendly advisor to help monitor and ensure everything is being done correctly.   A lot of time is spent waiting for transactions to happen, so there is a lot of down time. Catch up on reading! The only real downsides to volunteering are the late hours that you must be there.  You can also request Casino security to walk you to your car when your shift is over, especially for the late Count Room shifts.  Volunteers can also use a taxi service to get you to and from the Casino.  Just keep your taxi receipts and present them to one of the board members of Imanta and you will be reimbursed.

The Board Members of the Edmonton Latvian Society
Imanta
extend a warm invitation to
members, volunteers, friends, and supporters to this year’s AGM.

Please join us as we host our Annual General Meeting and review the successes and challenges of the past year. We are always looking for new active members and new ideas! Support us, become a member, join our board!

Location: Laurier Heights Community Hall
14405 85 Avenue, Edmonton, AB
Saturday, April 5, 2025 – Doors open 1:00 pm,
Meeting called at 1:15pm.
Refreshments served.

We look forward to seeing you!