In Canada, we had our own heroes – often church pastors, leading journalists, and elected community leaders – including Endel Ruberg, Heino Jõe, Edgar Marten and Ilmar Heinsoo.
For me and my friends in our youth, during the 1980’s and 90’s, Laas Leivat, was, and continues to be one of those heroes. It was with that same reverence that our community viewed Laas Leivat. His sacrifices, commitment and the impact of his work and advocacy earned it.
As a young political science and journalism student, I had the privilege of connecting with Laas regularly in the summer of 1993. My friend Tarmo Saks and I were working in the Toronto Estonian House archives as summer students, organizing files, newspapers and magazines.
On one particularly hot Friday in early July, we heard a knock on the heavy steel archive door. I went to open it and was surprised to see Laas on the other side. Laas was fleeing the oppressive heat on the third floor of the Estonian House where he was working in EKN’s office.
We were a little nervous. Laas was a legendary freedom fighter, and sort-of our boss.
We started talking about the political environment in Estonia and then the fight for Estonia’s freedom. The meetings in the archive became regular weekly events that Tarmo and I eagerly awaited…
He cracked a joke and then pulled out the latest copy of the Eesti Ekspress newspaper and started commenting on some of the Estonian politicians who were mentioned in that issue and then the next one. We started talking about the political environment in Estonia and then the fight for Estonia’s freedom. The meetings in the archive became regular weekly events that Tarmo and I eagerly awaited – sometimes, Laas would even come by with a beer for us, bought from the Esto House bar down the hall from the archive.
Laas never spoke down to us or anyone else. He treated us as equals, with respect and dignity and instilled in me a keen interest in Estonian domestic politics from then on.
Years later, when I had the honour and privilege of being elected the President of the Estonian Central Council, Laas generously mentored and supported me through politically complicated situations and even threats of violence from radicalized Russian nationalists – a threat that he was no stranger to either. In meetings where personal and political tensions were high, Laas, simply through his presence, would calm everyone in the room.
…former PM Brian Mulroney… commented on the impact of the Estonian community’s advocacy in the 1980’s and recalled Laas’s role.
When Kairi Taul-Hemingway and I had the privilege of meeting former PM Brian Mulroney, he commented on the impact of the Estonian community’s advocacy in the 1980’s and recalled Laas’s role. Thanks to Laas’ leadership, Canada was the first G7 nation to reestablish diplomatic relations with Estonia- paving the way for the US and eventually our place in NATO today.
I will forever cherish the opportunity that I had to work with him, and will deeply miss our regular conversations and his sage advice, council and friendship.
