Lithuanian links.

Many immigrants came to Canada to escape political oppression; almost 50,000 came here from the Baltic states for that reason. In 1940, the Soviet Union annexed Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Huge numbers of people fled westwards to escape the Soviet occupation and landed in refugee camps.

The Lithuanians called themselves Dievo Paukstai ("God's birds"). When the Second World War ended in 1945, nearly 20,000 of these "birds," made their way to Canada. Today, about 35,000 Canadians claim Lithuanian ancestry, of which half are able to speak Lithuanian. Most Lithuanian Canadians live in Ontario, but substantial numbers are settled in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Large numbers of people from the Baltic states and their descendants have kept strong links to their former homelands. Lithuanians in particular, maintained contact with nationalists in Lithuania and never gave up hope that their country of origin would break free of the Soviet Union.

A group called Sajudis was formed in Lithuania as the main channel for independence demands. Sajudis was closely linked to the Lithuanian Canadian Community. Members of the group in Canada lobbied Ottawa for support and built contacts in the media. In March 1990, Sajudis made Lithuania's formal declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. The Lithuanian Canadian Community immediately went on a public relations blitz to brief the media, politicians, and Canadians in general on the issues.

Top leaders were brought to Canada and guided by locals through the intricacies of Western media. The vice-president of the Lithuanian parliament was introduced to the House of Commons where he received a standing ovation. Support of this kind was very important to the Lithuanians struggling to achieve freedom. They knew they were not alone. Thousands of their brothers and sisters who had fled oppression to come to Canada were now helping them achieve freedom for themselves.