The future of our community in Vancouver

Liisa Suurkask Hein, born in Canada with roots in Estonia, shares a different approach to future planning in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Estonian community began to organize itself after the Second World War when it became clear that exile would be long-term. Through the 1950s and 60s, community members, including my grandparents Siina and Jakob Kembi, laid the foundations for a new life in British Columbia. Central to this effort was the construction of two distinct hubs that catered to the spiritual and social needs of the displaced population: an urban community centre and multi-faith church Meie Kodu, and a rural retreat property 70 km out of town, Mäeotsa. The legacy of these spaces is personal; in 1969, my parents wed at Meie Kodu followed by a reception at Mäeotsa. Forty years later, in 2009, my husband and I honoured that same tradition by celebrating our marriage at both locations.

Through the 1970s to now, these sites have contributed to the unique lived experience of being an Estonian on the west coast of Canada. Like many communities living outside of Estonia, we have been faced with both the existential question of purpose, which surfaced over 30 years ago following Estonia’s restoration of independence, and the reality of unsustainable operating budgets.

We have overcome these challenges multiple times over the decades with creativity, positive energy and hard work. Today, the Vancouver Estonian community finds itself at a new crossroads and is meeting current fiscal challenges with a forward-thinking, values-based approach. To navigate this, a dedicated committee has been formed, which is currently consulting professional advisors on land use, tax implications and governance to establish a transparent, fact-based understanding of the current landscape. Our mission is to develop viable options that will allow the community to reach a consensus on a path forward, remaining resilient and relevant in a changing world.

Inspired by the Global Estonian Action Plan for 2026-2029, we decided to try looking at our situation through a coaching lense and asked Kadi Metsandi (metsandicoaching.com) to facilitate a town hall in April of this year. The town hall session began by defining values and a vision that will form the foundation of decisions moving forward.

In the first part of the session, we explored open-ended questions about how we feel when the Estonian community in Vancouver is at its best and why being part of it is important to us. Following small-group discussions, several key themes emerged as core values including:

• uniqueness,
• roots,
• belonging (including future generations),
• celebration, arts and culture,
• connecting, and
• legacy.

The second part of the session focused on envisioning our community 25 years from now, grounded in these shared values.

Draft Vision generated from the town hall: We envision a connected and inclusive Estonian community where people of all generations and journeys here feel a strong sense of belonging, honour our cultural roots, and consciously carry our unique legacy forward while actively shaping a vibrant presence in Vancouver and nurturing ties to Estonia.

I recognize that many diaspora groups worldwide are navigating similarly difficult circumstances. By sharing our story, I hope to offer insights or inspire others to take the necessary small steps toward building a sustainable future for the next generation. For the families who built these foundations, the stakes are deeply personal. As the granddaughter of Jakob Kembi, I envision a future where my two sons might one day exchange vows at Meie Kodu and celebrate at Mäeotsa. Yet, whether the next generation gathers on the shores of British Columbia or in the counties of Pärnumaa, Ida-Virumaa or Hiiumaa, the goal remains the same, “Let’s be global citizens but remain Estonians”.