Advocacy Work

Advocacy Work for Latvia

In the immediate post-war years, LNAK laboured intensely to assist newcomers to Canada and provide aid to Latvian refugees in European Displaced Persons camps, where conditions continued to be dire. At the same time, another one of LNAK's main objectives was to work toward the cause of freedom for Latvia. This required raising awareness of Latvia among Canadians and focussing on ensuring that the Government of Canada did not waver from its commitment not to grant de jure status to the Soviet occupation of Latvia.

In reality, the effort to raise awareness was community wide. 

Latvian Action Committee 

After the Barricades attack in Riga and attacks in Lithuania in early 1991, as part of the Latvian Action Committee (under the auspices of LNAK), Latvians in the Broadview-Greenwood Riding worked closely with MP Dennis Mills to advocate for the cessation of violence and support of freedom for the Baltic States. The following are documents related to that campaign: 

• Petition regarding Soviet crackdown on the Baltic States
• Presentation of petition to House of Commons
• MP Dennis Mills speaking to the petition in the House of Commons
• Letter from MP Dennis Mills in support of the petition

Individual Action

In 1990, Lily Mikelsons of St. Catharines sent a letter to US President George Bush with a message concerning the Baltic States. Here is the return letter from the President.