About Us

The Estonian Foundation of Canada was founded in 1974 as a registered charitable public foundation with a mission to promote the welfare of the Estonian community in Canada.

The first Estonian settlement was established in Alberta in the year 1899 at Sylvan Lake in central Alberta. Other (bigger) Estonian settlements were established in 1902 (Medicine Valley), 1903 (Stettler/Big Valley) and 1904 (Barons).

The Estonian communities in Eastern Canada and on the West Coast was founded primarily by war refugees who came to Canada in the early 1950's. Tens of thousands of refugees fled the illegal occupation of Estonia by the Soviet Union which was marked by mass deportations, widespread targeted executions and the focused repression of the Estonian people. During the years of illegal occupation, the preservation of the Estonian language and the continuation of its folklore and traditions here in Canada was a critical, difficult yet vitally important task. Numerous organizations and groups were formed.

The foundation evolved to simplify the donor's choices of support and enable a central organization to carefully consider the project or event of greatest need. The Estonian Foundation continues to provide the financial support to sustain the important objectives that include the inclusion of the subsequent generations of Canadians and educate them about Estonia. It is essential to encourage the youth to participate in their heritage community. Growth can only happen if the Foundation supports the furtherance of activities and programs that develop and preserve our national heritage, teach and develop the Estonian language and music, support our aspiring artists and athletes, assist our elderly and sustain the Estonian churches.

The Foundation is encouraged by the increased enthusiasm and support of its sponsored events. The growth in participation is reflected not only by Estonians, but by Canadians who are not of Estonian heritage. This new interest in the Estonian language and traditions has been of great inspiration for the continuance of the work that the Foundation undertakes.