Edmonton was originally settled by the Cree and Blackfoot peoples, later joined by British traders of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company.

Immigrants from Eastern Europe were enticed by affordable land, and Edmonton’s Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and Slavic communities are still present today. The Chinese community in Edmonton began with the first Chinese person arriving in Edmonton in 1892. The German community is also well established in Edmonton, as is the Arabic community that has made many cultural, artistic and civic contributions throughout their presence in Edmonton. Immigrants from all over the world have been settling here for more than 100 years.

Today, many of those cultural communities continue to celebrate their heritage through gatherings at community centres, cultural activities and language schools.

Many immigrants find it useful and beneficial to meet with others who have a shared identity, as a way to build a social network and to participate in cultural activities.

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation City of Edmonton