Many Welsh came to Alberta from their home country during the peak homesteading years after the turn of the century. Most came from the mining and industrial regions of Wales to work in the coalmines around Edmonton, where they soon became active in the trade union movement. David Milwyn Duggan, a Welshman, was the mayor of Edmonton from 1921 to 1923, who came to Edmonton from Wales in 1905.
Welsh cultural society meetings during the early years were often conducted in the Welsh language, a Celtic language related to Breton and Cornish. These meetings also included group singing, parlour games, as well as Welsh cakes and tea. Picnics were held during the summer months.
Today the Welsh community in Alberta is served by three main organizations: The Calgary Welsh Society, St. David's Welsh Society of Edmonton and the Ponoka Welsh Society. These associations function primarily as social clubs, featuring lecturers, films and dinner meetings on a regular basis. The St. David's Welsh Society of Edmonton is a regular participant in the city's Heritage Days event, and in 2005 the group will celebrate its centennial anniversary. The Welsh are renowned worldwide for their singing ability, and choirs are often a part of or sponsored by Welsh community associations. This stems from a choral tradition rooted in church and chapel, and still deeper in the folk tradition of Wales. The St. David's Welsh Male Voice Choir of Edmonton has existed for over 75 years and performs several times throughout the year.
Welsh festivals today include the Eisteddfod, the oldest Welsh celebration and competition involving the recitation of poetry and music. Another popular Welsh event is the Gymanfa Ganu, a song festival focusing on hymns. The Welsh in Canada celebrate St. David's Day on March 1st. St. David, reputed to have lived in the country, is the patron saint of Wales and has been instrumental in the Christianization of the country. St. David's Day celebrations include storytelling and singing; banquets are also held in Lethbridge, Ponoka, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and Fort McMurray.
A newsletter serves the Welsh communities in Calgary and Lethbridge, while in Edmonton the St. David's Society issues a bulletin twice a year informing its members about upcoming events. Some Welsh Canadians subscribe to Ninnau, the Welsh national newspaper published in New York.
Since political union with England in 1536, Wales has been heavily influenced by English culture. One consequence of this association was the gradual decline in the number of Welsh speakers. Recently, however, a revival of the Welsh language has been taking place. In Alberta, it is easy to find Welsh language seminars in-person and online and attempts to teach the Welsh language are being made across the country.
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