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
February 24, 2026
Interested in joining us for future events? Become a member today!
MEDIA MENTIONS
Stettler Independant
eestielu.ca
estonianfoundation.ca
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Looks like fun for kids and kids at heart!Natuke Eestit oma pere mänguõhtusse! 💙 Kas teie pere juba tunneb Sipsikut? 🧸
Armas ja paljudele eestlastele tuttav Sipsik on jõudnud ka lauamängu! See on tore võimalus veeta koos aega, mängida ja tutvustada lastele üht armastatud tegelast Eesti lastekirjandusest.
🎲See tore mäng sobib lastele alates 3. eluaastast ning loob võimaluse veeta koos aega, naerda ja õppida läbi mängu. Eriti vahva on see üleilma eestlaste perede jaoks, kes soovivad hoida eesti keelt, lugusid ja kultuuri elavana ka kodust kaugel. 💙🖤🤍
Mängu saab soetada Eesti raamatupoodidest, sealhulgas veebipoodidest.
✨ Eestipärane mängurõõm igasse kodusse – üks mäng, palju ühiseid hetki!
Foto: OÜ Loovhoog
#ÜleilmneEestlus #EestiKeel #EestiKultuur #Sipsik #EestiLapsed
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Join Estonian youth around the world @Global Estonian's online gathering! Sign up is below... spots are limited.Kas teadsid, et Eesti juurtega noori elab kõikjal maailmas?
Ükskõik kui kaugel Eestist elame, ühised juured toovad meid kokku.
Tuleme kokku, et olla KOOS. 🫶
Mitte koolitunniks. Mitte loenguks.
💬 Vaid suhtlema. 🌍 Jagama oma lugusid. 🤝 Tutvuma uute inimestega. 💙 Tundma end osana üleilmsest Eesti kogukonnast.
✨ Kohtu omavanuste noortega eri maailma paikadest
✨ Räägi Eestist ja elust välismaal
✨ Kuula inspireerivat külalist
✨ Veeda aega toredas rahvusvahelises seltskonnas
🥰Eriti ootame ka noori, kes on osalenud või plaanivad osaleda Venevere laagris – siin on hea võimalus kohtuda vanade laagrikaaslastega ja jagada laagrimuljeid teistega!
Kui oled 13-18-aastane ja sul on Eesti juured, tule kohtuma teiste noortega, keda ühendab Eesti 🇪🇪
📅 22. novembril 2026 kell 16.00–18.00 (Eesti aja järgi) 💻 Zoom
👉 Pane oma nimi kirja – kindlusta oma koht siin: integratsioon.ee/ava-veebiaken-omadele-ule-ilma-22-11-2026
☝️Kohtade arv on piiratud, registreeri enne 18. novembrit!
💙 Ootame sind!
#üleilmneeestlus #globalestonian
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Looking for a unique Christmas present? 🥳
Maybe you heard Estonian as a child, and would like to rekindle your learning? 🤓
Did you stop learning Estonian and then forget to start again? 🥸
We have a few spaces available in our dynamic ONLINE AEHS Estonian Language Course generously supported by Estonian Foundation of Canada - Eesti Sihtkapital Kanadas, if you know anyone who may be interested. It is fun! And runs Sunday evenings from:
6-7:30 in BC
7-8:30 AB, SK
8-9:30 MB, ON, QC
9-10:30 NB, NS
9:30-11:00 NL
Please send us an email to: ell@aehs.ca and set up a call to discuss possibilities!
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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
