I recently attended a workshop in St. John’s, NL, led by RIAC, the Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council, a non-for profit organization that offers services and information for all newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador, regardless of status or when they arrived in Canada. The workshop led us through a refugee simulation.
After the activity, which took our group of students through the stages of landing as a refugee in a foreign country, Josè Rivera, RIAC’s Executive Director, talked about his experience in Canada over the last 15 years, since coming here from Columbia. He said, “Canada is a world of opportunity”.
This resonated with me because I whole-heartedly agree. As a grade 12 student beginning to embark on the next phase of my path of life, I reflect on the opportunities I have had and the opportunities I will have, many of which have been available to me because I am Canadian. I have been lucky enough to attend a good school for the past 13 years, and I am lucky enough to be able to choose to attend a university.
I am lucky enough to have an education. This is something that doesn’t come that easy to everyone. As part of my wider education, I have visited countries around the world without ever worrying about a visa. Being a Canadian has given me the opportunity to learn in my own country and learn by being welcome in other countries.
As Josè Rivera went further into detail about the ordeal that is immigration another line caught my ear. Comparing Canadian immigration officers to those from other nations, he called them “humane,” and praised how they treated people like human beings. I am no stranger to the concept of immigration. My family immigrated to Canada from South Africa in 2002.
Although I don’t remember anything from the actual immigration office, I have only ever felt welcomed and loved from the communities we joined. Canada is known for our kind nature and I feel honored to be a part of a country with this reputation. I can attest to the warm, (figuratively not literally), communities present all over our beautiful country.
I live in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on a small cul-de-sac. If my mom couldn’t find my sister and myself when it was time for dinner she’d just call out for us and we’d come running from whoever’s backyard we were playing in, probably the neighbors with the trampoline. If we were making cookies and suddenly realized there were no eggs, we’d knock on someone’s door and they’d be more than happy to lend a few. Over Christmas we gather on the cul-de-sac and sing Christmas carols with the streets band that has grown throughout the years.
When we became official Canadian citizens our community celebrated with us, but nothing changed; we were just as much a part of the community as before. To me, being Canadian means being part of a community wherever you are throughout your city, the country and the world.
As Canada turns 150 this year I reflect on all the opportunities it has given me, and all the relationships I have formed through those opportunities. I feel lucky and thankful to be a part of this beautiful country.
To me, being Canadian means having the opportunity to challenge myself everyday as I further my education, an education that does not have to end.
To me, being Canadian means having the support of my community to do this.
To me, being a Canadian means realizing the privilege I have, and doing my part to give back to my city, my province and my country, and to be able to dream of giving back to the world.
I am proud to be Canadian and excited to celebrate the past 150 years, as well as to see what the future brings.