Why YEGsthan?
"YEG" is the airport code for Edmonton International Airport and has recently become a popular shorthand for the city itself. The term "sthan," derived from Sanskrit, means "place." Together, they form YEGsthan—our endeavor to placekeep Edmonton’s rich heritage stories.
This page is a place to capture the narratives and document the significant
contributions of South Asian communities to Edmonton. South Asia includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and its diaspora communities worldwide.
Since the late 1800s, South Asians have been a part of Canada's fabric, with many calling Alberta home since the early 1900s. Here at YEGsthan, we bring these stories to the forefront, exploring the deep, interconnected roots that have supported and enriched the Canadian cultural landscape.
Stories of Amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ
also known as Edmonton
Upcoming Events
As part of C2U Expo 2025, Soni Dasmohapatra will be presenting at Animating Archives Through Arts-Based Research, a unique site visit at the City of Edmonton Archives.
This event brings together three artists and one documentarian from the Asian diaspora, each using their respective artistic disciplines to create place-making narratives from archival materials.
Animating Archives Through Arts-Based Research
Asian Heritage Month 2025 Mill Wood Bus Tour
Sat, May 31, 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, Soni Dasmohapatra is hosting her annual Heritage and Culture Bus Tour. Participants will be guided through some of Mill Woods’ most historically and culturally significant areas.
The tour will highlight the political, economic, and social dynamics that have shaped these urban spaces, sharing the stories of early South Asian pioneers like Sohan Singh Bhullar and the city's ward renaming process, which honours Indigenous communities.
Start & End Location: Kohsaar Grill (3535 Gateway Blvd NW)
The tour begins and ends at Kohsaar Grill, one of Edmonton’s top Pakistani culinary destinations—recently named to Edify’s 2025 Best Restaurants list. Participants are invited to enjoy lunch after the tour with a special event menu, featuring a variety of delicious platters, tea, and more.
Watch the recap of the 2024 History & Culture tour:
Explore more of Mill Woods' history and culture:
Soni joins the hosts of the "Let’s Find Out" podcast to discuss the naming of Sohan Singh Bhullar Park, which commemorates the contributions of the South Asian community to Edmonton.
The episode explores the historical context of the South Asian community in Edmonton, including their struggles, achievements, and the significance of honouring such individuals through public spaces like parks. It delves into the importance of acknowledging the contributions of these early settlers in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.
