Passages to Canada to help dismantle racism
Feb 06, 2010 - 04:30 AM
By Kristen Calis
PICKERING -- Shashi Bhatia attributes her happy journey in Canada to a willingness to reach out to the community, and encourages other newcomers to do the same.
The chairwoman of the Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham shared her story of being a newcomer at the launch of the expansion of the Passages to Canada Dismantling Racism program into Ajax and Pickering. The program, a project of the Historica-Dominion Institute, a national charity, was celebrated at the Pickering Recreation Complex.
Through the charity's Passages to Canada Speaker's Bureau, a diverse group of more than 600 immigrants and refugees share their stories free of charge with students and community groups to provide a greater understanding of the contributions newcomers make to Canada.
"So far it's worked out very well," said Jeremy Diamond, managing director of the national office.
The charity is looking to attract more speakers to help explain how it feels to leave a homeland and arrive in a new place, encounter racism and misunderstanding, and learn a new language. Newcomers of all walks of life are invited to speak in the program.
"They can be nurses, doctors and bus drivers," Mr. Diamond said.
Ms. Bhatia was living in a well-to-do family in India when her parents arranged her marriage to a man living in Canada. The move was a transition for Ms. Bhatia, now a proud Canadian, at first.
"My privileged and sheltered youth had not prepared me for the culture shock I was about to face," she said.
She landed in Canada in mid-summer of 1973 in a heavy winter coat, expecting igloos. Instead, she saw roads, traffic lights -- and no igloos in sight.
She recalled taking the bus to go to the mall, and feared being lost when the bus driver went right by her stop. When he noticed her distress, he asked if she was new to Canada and taught her how to request a stop.
His small gesture stuck with her.
"His kindness is a good example of the sort of experiences that soon made me feel more at home in my new land," she said.
She quickly started helping newcomers get adjusted to their new Canadian life and now encourages others to do the same.
"Indeed there is no better way to learn about Canada and to meet your fellow citizens than to take part in community activities," she said.
Ajax and Pickering were chosen as ideal locations for the program because of their diverse communities.
Pleased the launch took place in Pickering, Mayor Dave Ryan described multiculturalism as the tapestry of Canada, which is held together by different threads woven together.
"If any one of those threads is frayed, we all suffer," he said.
Those interested can request a speaker, or sign up to become one, on the Passages to Canada website.
VISIT: www.passagestocanada.com
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