About the Society
Tere! Hello!
The Alberta Estonian Heritage Society (AEHS) was established in April 2005 in order to have a single encompassing focal point for activities related to the members’ common heritage from the northern European nation of Estonia.
Like other ethnic groups who sought land in the New World, the first Estonian pioneers in Alberta created communities and organized societies in the very early 1900s to assist one another with the challenges of establishing a new life in the harsh, remote and undeveloped farmland in the Canadian Prairies. Currently up to seven generations of Albertans can look back to their Estonian pioneer roots. Some Estonians left their homeland in the middle of the 19th Century, living elsewhere until finding a place for permanent settlement in Alberta.
The European conflicts that occurred in the mid-1900s encouraged those fleeing persecution and loss of property to seek opportunities elsewhere in the world. Many Estonians came to Canada. A number of those settled in the province of Alberta.
These new immigrants found refuge in the societies and communities originated by the early pioneers and in turn, contributed to the continuation of those societies. They also created new urban based organizations. Over time, the assimilation of Estonian-born descendants into the general population diminished membership in the societies to the point that only the Edmonton organization remained in formal operation.Some others continued functioning informally as communities.
It was at this stage the Edmonton Estonian Society and former members of other Alberta organizations came together to establish the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. Motivation for this act is partly due to encouragement from Lennart Meri, former president of the Estonian Republic, during his July 2000 visit to Alberta.
A third, smaller wave of arrivals to Alberta, consists of emigrants who arrived after Estonia regained independence in 1991.
AEHS is now an organization composed of members from all three waves of immigration and their descendants. The organization has evolved to one that celebrates the rich Estonian cultural heritage. In keeping with the Estonian tradition of song, dance and festivities, this kinship provides limitless opportunities for celebration.
Kohtumiseni!
News & Events
June 7, 2025
Linda Hall, Township Rd 374, Stettler, Alberta
Recent NewsletterS
🎉Tere, sõbrad! Hello friends!
Join us for the AEHS 20th Anniversary & Jaanipäev
2025 Celebration! 🇪🇪
🗓️Saturday, June 7 | 📍Linda Hall, near Stettler, AB
Experience the magic of Estonian midsummer with:
🌞Games & activities for all ages
🕺🏻Folk dancing & choir
🐖Full pig roast dinner
🎁Youth prizes (register kids by May 15!)
🍽️Potluck lunch welcome!
🗳️AGM at 10 AM - be sure your AEHS membership is up to date!
🎟️Early bird pricing ends May 15!
👉https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/aehs-20th-anniversary-midsummer-estonian-celebration-jaanipaev-2025-tickets-1260087779469
🎂Palju onne, AEHS! - celebrating 20 amazing years!
🌐www.aehs.ca
#EstonianHeritage #Jaanipäev2025 #AEHS #midsummerfun
🎉 Secure Your Spot! Early Bird Tickets Now Available for Alberta Estonian Heritage Society 20th Anniversary & Jaanipäev 2025 🎟️
Alberta Estonian Heritage Society 20th Anniversary & Midsummer Estonian Celebration - Jaanipäev 2025, happening on Saturday, June 7 at Linda Hall, near Stettler, Alberta!
This year, we’re marking 20 amazing years of the Alberta Estonian Heritage Society — and what better way to celebrate than with a full day of Estonian culture, community, and midsummer fun?
🌞 Activities for all ages (1-100!) — from traditional pioneer picnic games, pony rides & wagon rides to a bouncy play zone
🕺 Folk dancing and live Estonian choir (sing-along encouraged!)
🐖 Heritage dinner included with your ticket — featuring a whole pig roast
🎁 Special prize package for children & youth who are registered by May 1st!
🍽️ Potluck lunch welcome (bring a dish to share!)
🗓️ AGM starts at 10:00 AM — all are welcome to attend. Board positions available to fill, that would be you!
🎟️ Early bird tickets are available now until May 1st — don’t wait as space is limited, secure your spot today!
Buy tickets now: https://aehs2025jaanipaev.eventbrite.ca/
Palju õnne AEHS — Happy Birthday to AEHS! 🎂
Whether you’re of Estonian heritage or just curious about Estonian culture, you’re invited to be part of this joyful day. Let’s make memories together under the midsummer sun and around the Jaanipäev fire.
Elagu Eesti! Head iseseisvuspäeva! Tunneme uhkust! Hoiame kokku! Join us to celebrate resilience and freedom!
ALBERTA ESTONIAN HERITAGE SOCIETY PRESENTS
Estonian Independence Day Celebration
Monday, February 24th, 7:00 PM MST – Zoom Event
Join us for a special evening as we celebrate Eesti Vabariik 107 with the Alberta Estonian community!
Keynote Speaker – Ellen Valter!
Surprise Guest!
Estonian Performance!
Special Award Announcement!
2024 Photo Contest Winners Announced!
And don’t forget: WEAR YOUR ESTONIAN MITTENS!
Please RSVP to email@aehs.ca to receive the Zoom link.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
The English translations is available.
Aasta eurooplane on Narva muuseumi juht Maria Smorževskihh-Smirnova
www.postimees.ee
Aasta eurooplase aunimetuse pälvis tänavu Narva muuseumi juht Maria Smorževskihh-Smirnova, kes on oma töö ja tegevusega seisnud euroopalike väärtuste eest Narvas ja Ida-Virumaal ning rääkinud...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎉 Tere, sõbrad! Hello friends!
Join us for the AEHS 20th Anniversary & Jaanipäev 2025 Celebration! 🇪🇪
🗓️ Saturday, June 7 | 📍 Linda Hall, near Stettler, AB
Experience the magic of Estonian midsummer with:
🌞 Games & activities for all ages
🕺 Folk dancing & choir
🐖 Full pig roast dinner
🎁 Youth prizes (register kids by May 15!)
🍽️ Potluck lunch welcome!
🗳️ AGM at 10 AM — be sure your AEHS membership is up to date!
🎟️ Early bird pricing ends May 15!
👉 www.eventbrite.ca/e/aehs-20th-anniversary-midsummer-estonian-celebration-jaanipaev-2025-tickets-1...
🎂 Palju õnne, AEHS! — celebrating 20 amazing years!
🌐 www.aehs.ca
#EstonianHeritage #Jaanipäev2025 #AEHS #midsummerfun
AEHS 20th Anniversary & Midsummer Estonian Celebration - Jaanipäev 2025
www.eventbrite.ca
We are excited to celebrate! Palju õnne! Happy Birthday AEHS Activities for all ages, 1-100, of Estonian Heritage or curious about Estonian0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Täiskasvanud rahvuskaaslaste laager toimub 17.–24.08.2025 osaliselt Tallinnas ja osaliselt ööbimisega väljaspool linna.
Laagrisse on oodatud 30 Eesti juurtega noort vanuses 18–30 aastat, kellest kuni 24 elavad välismaal ja 6 Eestis ning kellel on soov avastada Eestit ja leida uusi sõpru.
Laagri eesmärk on tagada välismaal elavatele eesti päritolu noortele võimalus tutvuda Eesti elu, õppimis- ja töövõimalustega ning süveneda eesti keelde, kultuuri ja ajalukku.
See on suurepärane võimalus tugevdada sidet Eestiga, külastada kultuurilisi ja ajaloolisi paiku, jagada kogemusi ning avastada uusi võimalusi Eestis. Osalejad saavad tutvuda riigikorralduse ja riigiasutustega, õppimisvõimaluste ja ettevõtluskeskkonnaga. Laagri käigus avastame erinevaid traditsioone, õpime eesti keelt ning aitame kaasa eesti kultuuri ja identiteedi säilitamisele üle maailma.
Laager pakub võimalust luua uusi sõprussuhteid ja võrgustikke nii Eestis kui ka välismaal elavate noorte vahel.
Laagris osalemine on tasuta. Arvestama peaks üksikute osaliste kuludega (mõni toidukord ja omal soovil lisakulud). Tallinnasse reisimise ja koju naasmise ning tervisekindlustusega seotud kulud katab osaleja ise.
Et registreerida 2025. aasta laagrisse, palun täida veebi-vorm kuni 04.05.2025. : www.integratsioon.ee/rahvuskaaslaste-laagrisse-registreerimine
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WE ARE
- Descendants of up to seven generations of Estonians who homesteaded in Alberta, since 1899.
- Estonian born Canadians who arrived here with our parents.
- Estonians who for economic or political reasons have elected to call Canada home.
- Assimilated individuals who appreciate the circumstances and efforts made by those who came before us.
AEHS MISSION STATEMENT
- To provide for the recreation of the members and to promote and afford opportunity for friendly and social activities.
- Promote and preserve Estonian heritage and culture in Alberta
- Facilitate contact and current awareness among persons with an interest in Estonian heritage and culture in Canada, Estonia and elsewhere.
THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE. CANADA’S PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
Ajakaja Stories
Estonian Pioneer Women
70 Years Ago
