East Indians’ influence on Lethbridge

Lethbridge has a rich and diverse Asian population. Many families from all over the continent are happy to call the windy city their home.  As we continue through Asian Heritage Month, we seek to learn more about those who came here from India, and helped Lethbridge progress forward.

While anti-Asian hate crimes surge at an alarming rate in the U.S., here in Canada Asian culture is embraced. Closer to home here in Lethbridge, many newcomers from India helped shape the fields of medicine, microbiology and agriculture.  Dr. Surya Acharya, who is president of India Canada Cultural Association gives us a snapshot of what Lethbridge’s Indian population composed of when newcomers came here as early as the 1960s.

And as the faculties in Lethbridge’s college and university grew, so did the population of Indian newcomers.  Acharya says many of his people can be seen in academics and research.

And once the the institutions had more to offer, that attracted even more Indians to the windy city.  Suketu Shah who is Vice President of the Gujarati Society of Lethbridge & Area says the word of mouth about how amazing Lethbridge is, spread quickly.

According to the 2016 Census, close to 175,000 South Asians reside in Alberta.