Linda Payne

In honour of his Latvian heritage, Linda's son had the three stars of Latvia tattooed on his body. The three stars are most recognized as part of the Freedom Monument in Riga and represent the three regions of Latvia, Kurzeme, Vidzeme, and Latgale. Although this symbol is ethnographic, it has become the Latvian image of peace and freedom.

Border crossing identification card for Peteris Alutis.

Detail of Ludmila Alutis' (mother of Ausma Alutis) war time passport.

German military document for Ojars Briedis, conscripted during WWII.

Detail of Ausma Alutis' war time passport.

Documents given to ethnic Latvian Ausma Alutis explaining her position as a domestic worker in Canada.

A 1947 news clipping detailing the arrival of refugee women to Canada. Ausma Alutis and fellow immigrants were ready for their one year of mandatory domestic service.

Linda Payne's son shows his Latvian roots with body art.

Baggage ticket of immigrant Ausma Alutis for her passage to Canada from Germany in 1947.