History
Sikhs began arriving in Alberta in the early 20th century, initially as workers in the railroad and lumber industries. The community grew steadily through the mid-20th century, with a major wave arriving after Canada's liberalization of immigration laws in 1967. Alberta's oil boom from the 1970s onward accelerated Punjabi professional immigration, with engineers, physicians, and entrepreneurs drawn to Calgary's energy economy. The Dashmesh Culture Centre in Calgary, established in 1987 with support from the City of Calgary and the Alberta Government, stands as a landmark of community institution-building.