Estonian Central Council in Canada (EKN/ECC) held its annual general meeting on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st at Tartu College, Toronto. In attendance were member organization representatives and youth delegates from Estonian-Canadian communities across Canada.
The meeting opened with a Land Acknowledgement followed by greetings from Estonian ambassador to Canada Margus Rava.
“Over the past two years, the organization has embarked upon a process of revitalization and renewal… The focus is on building strong relationships within the Estonian Canadian community, and with governments in both Estonia and Canada.”
(Reet Marten Sehr)
Revitalization and renewal
Board chair Reet Marten Sehr presented the 2025 Report, including slides of major events and activities. “As EKN/ECC enters its 75th anniversary year, there is much to celebrate and be thankful for. Over the past two years, the organization has embarked upon a process of revitalization and renewal starting with the implementation of new bylaws and a new governance structure. The focus is on building strong relationships within the Estonian Canadian community, and with governments in both Estonia and Canada.”
The activities and affairs of EKN/ECC are managed by its Board of Directors, which has ten members. Kelly Schuler-McDonald, president of Alberta Estonian Heritage Society was elected at the AGM, joining Reet Marten Sehr (Chair), Kadri Munro (Secretary-treasurer), Lia Hess, Katariina Jaenes, Andres Kasekamp, Marta Kivik, Valia Reinsalu, Paul-Erik Veel, and Peter Vilde.
An Advisory Council has been formed consisting of Estonian ambassador to Canada Margus Rava, Estonian Honorary Consul in Toronto Tom Heinsoo, Rob Zeidler (Dabbert Group) and Kaisa Kasekamp, president of the Estonian Worldwide Youth Network.
EKN/ECC has five active committees that draw members from its board, membership and the broader community: strategic planning, media and communications, education, youth; medals of merit and awards. The strategic planning committee has been meeting monthly since the fall. The education committee coordinated professional learning at Ontario education institutions for two large groups of Estonians educational leaders last year. The media committee is developing a new website together with a web solutions company, and the youth committee has launched KENA, a new organization for Estonian-Canadian youth.
EKN/ECC membership has grown to fifteen organizations with Toronto Estonian Supplementary Schools, Kitchener Estonian Society, Jõekääru Estonian Children’s Camp, St. Catharines Estonian Society, the Estonian Canadian Business Chamber, and Toronto Estonian Kindergarten joining over the past year.
A member of the Estonian World Congress and Baltic Federation in Canada, EKN/ECC has one member on the Estonian government Global Advisory Board and works closely with Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Estonia (globalestonian.com/et) to advance the interests of Estonian-Canadians.
Photo gallery
Photos: Peeter Põldre, Valia Reinsalu ja Reet Marten Sehr
Prioritizing youth
EKN/ECC is prioritizing youth engagement and activities to build sustainability for the future. Youth committee chair, Katariina Jaenes, introduced the newly-formed Kanada Eesti Noorte Assotsiatsioon KENA (Canadian Estonian Youth Association) a sub-organization of EKN that aims to promote the engagement of young people in Estonian cultural activities. (@kenadkanadas; @KENA; kenadkanadas@gmail.com) Kaisa Kasekamp shared an overview of Estonian Worldwide Youth Network’s (ÜENV) goals, events and activities since its founding, in 2019. (@uenv.globaalsednoored; uenv.juhatus@gmail.com; noored@globalestonian.com; globalestonian.com/et/noored)
Supporting Ukraine
EKN/ECC remains strongly committed to its support of Ukraine launching the fundraiser #Savethesoldier at Rahvajõulupuu in December. This initiative, which saves lives by supplying Ukrainian-made tourniquets to wounded soldiers at the front, was introduced by project coordinator Rob Zeidler, who encouraged all members to share and donate in their local communities.
Although spread out over vast geographical distances, organizations all share common goals of preserving Estonian culture and language and strengthening bonds within their community.
Valuing community
A large section of the meeting was allocated for members to present highlights from their organization’s activities over the past year. Many had prepared slide presentations and new members also included history, structure, and goals. Although spread out over vast geographical distances, organizations all share common goals of preserving Estonian culture and language and strengthening bonds within their community. They have been built over decades by dedicated volunteers who value their Estonian roots and heritage.
Financials and budget were presented by secretary-treasurer Kadri Munro. Although EKN/ECC does not have charitable status, it has supported community organizations with over $100,000 of funding over the past two years.
The meeting ended suddenly with unexpected drama as a pipe burst in the ceiling of an adjacent hallway setting off fire alarms and flooding the floor of the meeting room. Fortunately, Toronto Fire was able to give the “all clear” allowing planned programing to go ahead without major delays.
Building relationships and resilience
The evening event was co-presented by the Estonian Canadian Business Chamber and EKN/ECC. Panelists Heather Bakken, Yaroslav Baran of Pendulum Group (Ottawa) and Vasileios Tsianos VP of Corporate Development at NeoPerformance Materials (TSX: NEO) brought their expertise to a highly insightful and informative panel on crisis preparedness for members and guests. Ellen Valter moderated. (estoniancentre.ca/post/ecbc-crisis-preparedness-event)
On Sunday, EKN/ECC members engaged in a full day of strategic training by Heather Bakken and Yaroslav Baran on public communication and media relations, disinformation, and government relations. Setting the stage for the training and pursuant discussion, prof. Andres Kasekamp presented an overview of the current geopolitical landscape and ambassador Margus Rava the Estonian government perspective.
The highly practical expert training provided members with a solid foundation for navigating potential crises and future work in their communities and at the national level.
Following a productive weekend of learning and building relationships, those who didn’t have to catch flights or trains continued lively discussion over wine and kringel.
Email: eknecc@gmail.com;
Website: estoniancouncil.ca;
Facebook: facebook.com/estoniancouncil
