Canadian Baltic Immigrant Aid Society Celebrates 70 Years in Canada

The Canadian Baltic Immigrant Aid Society (C.B.I.A.S.) is the home of Baltic Germans in Canada. It was founded in 1948 to encourage the emigration of Baltic Germans to Canada and provide aid upon arrival. Today, it represents a community that exists for the purpose of kinship and heritage preservation. With regional branches across Canada, members gather together for cultural activities and celebrations.

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the organization in Canada and a celebration was held at the Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre on August 10-12. The weekend included a “pub night” on Friday, a scavenger hunt and lunch at Laurel Creek Conservation Area, heritage presentations and a dinner/dance on Saturday and a breakfast on Sunday.

The C.B.I.A.S. is an active community that nurtures and maintains its history, traditions and cultural ties. The organization is currently focusing on heritage preservation by gathering materials, cultural information and stories and has been working with Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian organizations who are engaged in similar efforts. Together, they have formed a collaborative partnership known as “Baltic Canadian Imprints”. The group promotes the exploration of each others’ unique identity within a shared Baltic history.

Anyone wishing to find out more about Baltic Germans in Canada and/or the activities of Baltic Canadian Imprints is encouraged to contact: Petra Grantham – President, National Executive C.B.I.A.S. (cbias.hv@hotmail.com)

Petra Grantham