CHANGING TOGETHER…A CENTRE FOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN

“Exploring the Diversification of Canada’s Immigrant Population”

CONFERENCE

Inn on 7th Hotel Edmonton, AB

October 30, 2004

Funded by:Alberta Human Rights & Citizenship

Commission Education Fund&

Changing Together…A Centre for Immigrant Women

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The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, MLAMinister of Community DevelopmentDeputy Government House Leader

The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky was re-elected as MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek in the Alberta Provincial election held November 22, 2004. He is now the Minister of Education for Alberta.

It is always a pleasure for me to be invited by Changing Together to speak at one of their Conferences. Congratulations are in order for Changing Together for the great work that they do for immigrant women in the City of Edmonton.

I see the theme of the Conference is “Exploring the Diversification of Canada’s Immigrant Population”. We know that Canada prides itself on being a multicultural country and the goal of multiculturalism is acceptance. In 2002 there were 14,000 newcomers who came to Canada from all over the world (22% from India, 10% from China). This represents many different peoples and cultures that we need to accept into Canadian society.

However, in order to be accepted we need to get to know each other. The “more we know each other, the less we fear”. We need to get to know and respect the different cultures, to promote the different cultures in Alberta and Canada as a whole. The different aspects that make up a culture: political perspective, education, careers that newcomers had before coming to Canada, and different religions all require support.

Women’s rights need to be promoted. This includes meaningful employment with good pay and benefits, the need to be respected and the need to promote and respect the rights of their children.

After 9/11 there was a meeting with multicultural leaders. These leaders want to help make a difference in the global perspective. They want to work together to show that even though we come from different backgrounds we can work together and make a difference in our country and in the world.

We all have different challenges in our lives. Each one of us needs to address our challenges and realize that diversity is the one thing we all have in common. Diversity lies in our gender, faith, roots, culture, and language. There are now schools that are gender based, either just for girls or just for boys. We need to let our diversity draw us together instead of tearing us apart.

The area of family violence and bullying are being addressed in Alberta through Round Table discussions. In October 2005 there will be a “World Conference on Family Violence” to be held in Banff. Through Round Table discussions, Prevention of Family Violence Conferences and in other ways we are investing in building a better community through social change, leadership, service and support.

I would like to congratulate Changing Together on the work that they do. The Centre is known as a place where all women are treated as equals; equals working together to create a better place for newcomers to Edmonton to live.

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Mayor Stephen MandelCity of Edmonton

On behalf of City Council and the citizens of Edmonton, I extend sincere congratulations to Changing Together…A Centre for Immigrant Women for the work that was done in putting this Conference together.

Over the course of the past two decades, you have provided outstanding programs to your clients. Your programs, from Women Helping Women to work experience and counseling services are most relevant and helpful. The entire community benefits from the Centre and its many programs.

When people of various cultures come together, there are opportunities to share points of view, to recognize cultural differences, and to open each other’s minds to new ways of looking at the world. Changing Together provides a forum for cultural exchange, a chance to “change together” as your name suggests.

Edmontonians are living in a time of change. In the City of Edmonton 2004 election campaign people showed that they want change. Change is the responsibility of the people. They need to speak out, to challenge their leaders, to let them know where they see the need for change and that change must happen.

Employment and unemployment are areas where changes need to be made. There should be equal and meaningful employment for all the people of Edmonton. This includes those who are new to Canada and are looking to make Edmonton their home.

Statistics show that one-fifth of the population of Edmonton is immigrants. Twenty percent of these newcomers are among the poorest people in the city. They lack opportunities for education, to learn English and to obtain employment that is relative to their education and experience. We need to ask ourselves why is this happening? What can we do about it? We need to be willing to talk to government and unions, to pressure for change, to be willing to stand up and speak out on behalf of those who may not be able to speak up for themselves.

Change starts with people and it takes courage. What can you do? Ask yourself, “What are the greater issues?” We can start with public education by writing letters to politicians and public leaders, knocking on doors, and making phone calls. Let the public know what is happening, what needs to be done to help people. Get active! Let’s make a difference!

I would like to thank the dedicated staff and volunteers of Changing Together for all that you have done, and continue to do, to make Edmonton a great place to call home.

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Laurie Blakeman, MLAEdmonton Centre

Laurie Blakeman was re-elected as MLA for Edmonton Centre in the Alberta Provincial Elections held on November 22, 2004.

It is always a pleasure to be invited to participate in a Conference put on by Changing Together so I am delighted to be able to speak to you this morning.

Women have made great strides in Canada, we have come a long way and had great success and we should celebrate this success. We have accomplished a great deal in the area of equality for women.

However, we should not become complacent; there is still much to do. There is still poverty and a lack of a decent education. There are the Nanny Laws, which discriminate against Live-in Caregivers. We are just now beginning to realize the extent of the problem that exists in trafficking women and children and how to deal with it. There is still discrimination attached to child bearing. Equality of women should consist of economic and legal status for all and that has not happened yet.

We have begun to address the issues of family violence and bullying although we still need more funding in the area. We need more shelters where abused women can take refuge. However, this does not address this issue of sexual assaults, which is another area where a lot of work needs to be done.

We need to share the stories of our own success, our own families and cultures to encourage and educate others. These stories can be shared through art, through writing, music and song, painting, and poetry.

Get involved in politics. You can do this by volunteering or working in an office. Get involved and get to know your politicians. This enables you to make informed decisions based on personal knowledge when it comes to election time and exercising your right to vote. Vote!!!

Keynote Speaker “OPENING NEW DOORS FOR IMMIGRANT WOMEN”

Eva Pakyam, Employment Program ManagerYWCA, Toronto, Ontario

IntroductionSocial Change happens one woman at a time; we need to have a passion for change. You don’t have to be a leader to lead. We want a world of socio-economic equality. However, it is a world of despair. We have a choice to engage at all levels. We need to work neighbourhoods; we need to get others involved.Canada is a country that has opened new doors for immigrants since the beginning. Canada today…Canada tomorrow! What’s in store for us? There are challenges to deal with and opportunities to seize. There are emerging needs, emerging trends and solutions. The business community must be challenged. There are options to consider: investing in social enterprise. The community sector is looking at innovative ways to make a difference, to respond to the need.

Ways we can respond:

Establish a collective voice Build strong communities Help new comers fulfill their potential and promise

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Provide models for government, business, community and individuals to invest in community building There is the YMCA and Changing Together…A Centre for Immigrant Women. If we work together we have one powerful voice. We can use alternative methods, i.e., support, funding.

Public Education and InvolvementGovernment and the business community need to be educated and become involved. We need to ask what is important to the community? What does the community need? What is important to the individual; not what is important to you? Social Purpose Enterprise

Balance social and business goals. We need to focus on mission and focus on lives. We need to invest in the future and social entrepreneurship. We need to have a willingness to respond. Trends: the labour market is changing. Immigrant women are suffering the most. We should talk to groups that have similar goals YMCA is women sharing experience, setting goals and working together. Setting social goals is a priority.

An example of investing in immigrant women’s lives in Toronto

The YWCA Toronto is an association of diverse and caring women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through dynamic leadership, advocacy, and a range of unique and essential services that promote personal growth and economic independence.

We need to realize that trends are changing in leadership and development. We need to follow through with plans. Immigrants are not burdens. Don’t wait; make changes now. Alberta is a rich province so why is there homelessness and problems with healthcare and education?YWCA Program Areas Employment and Skills Development Housing and Shelter Camping and Outdoor Education Counseling, Education and Group Work Advocacy and CommunicationsIn 2003, the YWCA helped 39,538 people through our different programs. The YWCA meets the challenges of immigrant communities.

Skills Development Centre MissionOur mission is to promote the personal growth and economic independence of women through flexible programs designed to respond to current labour market practices and individual preferences. There should be inexpensive education programs where women can learn at their own pace. It should provide great training for women and services should be customized.

YWCA Skills Development Centre (SDC) - A Dream, a Vision In 2002, SDC started with a dream to create a unique one-stop skills development centre for women. We started as a small social purpose enterprise. Today the services have taken off and are evolving steadily. We have programs bridging the gap. These programs are customized so that people can plan their own education route.

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Program’s Concept

The program’s concept has innovation, learning and opportunities. It is a one stop-learning model with 13 years of experience. The program is accessible, high quality and services are affordable. There are pioneering workshops and curriculums, which meet the demands of employers and the labour market. The program is client-centered and customized service oriented.

SDC Services: Customized, Creative and Meeting Demands Career Assessment Planning Information Technology and Professional Management Training Business Communication Courses General Educational Development (GED) Links To Jobs Access is a problem

Our Success: A place that meets business and community needs. There is individualized service. The YWCA is building a reputation in the business and community sectors. We are building partnerships for our social purpose enterprise. We are working from a community development model of service delivery. This pilot program has been thoroughly researched and designed to meet the needs of the

communities we serve. The sampling of products and services has proven successful. Links To Jobs Program: A community based employment agency Learning and Lending Circles Mentoring Program, and a Testing Centre.Opportunities to Consider

Edmonton: Consider innovative ways to integrate and assist immigrant women to reach for their potential and give back to their community.

Think outside the norm. Challenge each other as government, business, community and individuals work towards new ways to integrate.

Canada depends on building knowledge assets based on the immigrant community. A time to share innovative community economic development models from the south. Immigrant women have taken risks; look at models around the world. What can Canada learn? Don’t re-invent the wheel: build on it. “Think Outside the Box!” We need social change agents who will be able to work from the grass roots

up by mobilizing communities where individuals will be empowered. Take risks!

Change Together!Changing Together is a powerful name for an organization that is doing just that. Continue to explore the diversification of Canada’s immigrant population…together we will build Canada!

(Eva asked people to break off into groups and to respond to the following question.)“Passion is needed to make changes. What is your vision for immigrant women in Edmonton five years from now?”

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Group 1 To have a better transportation system; getting around the city is difficult. Tests should challenge women to qualify for jobs. There should be better access to quality childcare; it’s expensive in Canada.

Group 2 Homelessness: affordable, adequate shelter. Education: equitable opportunities, education opportunities and equal opportunities. Funding should be

available. We should fight against stereotypes in public education. Employment: foreign qualifications should be recognized. There is violence in homes, schools, and society; this should be a peaceful society Transportation problems need to be solved. Adequate childcare should be available. Gender barriers should be done away with.

Group 3Inward FocusThe Filipino community (and other ethnic groups) needs to become inwardly united, to have a concentrated effort that is more effective. Women need to be united as well if we want to bring men on board.

Outward FocusMaximize utilization of reserves we currently have. Call a meeting with other groups and apply for funding together. Changing Together could be a hub, a catalyst for joint projects. A database for current realities could be developed.

ConnectionsExpand awareness of what Changing Together does; reach out to other agencies through newsletters, putting education forward as the main focus.

Group 4Youth need to become involved in helping other youth to overcome the problems and obstacles that newcomers face and to help contribute in the future.

Group 5Lobby for more funding and grants and bring awareness to politicians and the media. More opportunities for women need to be created, especially in the areas of politics and leadership. There should be acceptance of foreign education and qualifications. The media needs to be involved to bring awareness of equal rights and issues against violence. “Power is in the hands of the few” so get involved.

“PERSPECTIVES OF YOUTH IN IRAQ”Ewar Jalal

Student, Grant MacEwan College

Ewar went to Iraq in the summer of 2004. Because she is a young woman her uncle accompanied her. There is no airport in Iraq so they went from Damascus, Syria to the Iraqi border. She had to hide her Canadian citizenship constantly. It was a 14-hour trip from Damascus, Syria to the Kurdish border.

In Iraq there is still a constant fear of bombing, of being a target. Even though Saddam Hussein is gone the Iraqi people still live in terror. They ask, “Why can’t we live in peace?” There is much hardship for those

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living in Iraq caused by the war and brutalization that is experienced. A journey to freedom would bring peace of mind. The people want the world to know they are innocent, not terrorists. They want a brighter future for their children and wives. How can we help? We need to look beyond the media and newspaper reports.

Presentation

As a Kurd who lived in northern Iraq, I am honored to be here today and speak to all of you and share my experiences on the subject of Iraq as well as my recent trip there. Whenever I have tried, and I still try, to forget all about the past and focus on the future, I hear a story about Iraq that brings the past right in front of my eyes.

Its current situation seems to be the topic of every news channel and the cover page of every newspaper. For most of us, Iraq has become like the coffee we have everyday.

What I witnessed for the first 14 years of my life where I lived in Iraq was so brutal and hard to forget it has become a bitter memory, a memory which I strive to forget every minute and every second of my life. But I cannot do that because it’s become a part of me for as long as I live; that was the reason for my journey to Iraq.

As a hopeful youth who had bright goals for her homeland, I wanted to go back and see the Iraq without Saddam, the Saddam who tortured so many of us; who brutalized his own people. These things I had pictured as a youth.

In my days preparing for my trip many people from my family, my community and my friends tried to convince me to change my mind. It was probably not the best idea to go to Iraq but I figured what’s the difference between me and my friends who live there; if they can live in those situations I should be able too as well. That was the only thing I had in my mind. After an agonizing and long flight from Edmonton to Germany it was finally real; I was going…I was in the plane to Iraq.

My uncle had to make a trip to Syria from Dubai and I went with him, as I could not travel alone. As you might know, Iraq does not have an airport; so in order to travel there you have to go to a neighboring country. Let me tell you a few things about the way to northern Iraq. I landed in Syria. After not seeing my uncle for nine years, he managed to recognize me. That’s when the three-hour discussion began. There were Iraqi’s returning from abroad all over the airport. We approached a few people to ask about which was safest way to go. Everyone had different opinions on which road was the safest from Damascus to the Iraqi border. One person was saying, “I heard that road has a lot of terrorists waiting for people coming from abroad and they will kidnap you and kill you and I am sure I don’t want to end up on CNN.” Another person across from him was saying, “Noooo, I heard the road you’re talking about is harmless.” It was rather confusing who to believe. My uncle and I decided to go from Damascus to the Iraqi border and from the border we will just go with our gut feeling.

We didn’t have any trouble going from Syria to the Iraqi border, but from the minute we crossed the border I could smell what I had not smelled or sensed for so long: depression, death, agony and poverty. My uncle told me to hide my Canadian citizenship and cover my head the whole way. This would be better if we met any obstacles. I was not to say anything if we came to a checkpoint. The total number of checkpoints on the road was about ten, coalition forces were found in only one of these. We were stopped for one inspection by IP and it took less than five minutes. The IP men were very polite and apologized many times for the disturbance. We told them that we understood that and we were happy to see them do their job.

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Along the way we would see American troops in conveys following each other, 50 to 100 cars, trucks, etc. I had never seen the south before as I am from the north, but it was all too familiar in my mind. Every 40 - 50 km you can find a gas station or a restaurant where people can get some rest during their long journey.

There was a painful scene that was repeated all along the road; a lot of high-voltage towers had been damaged with their cables stolen, but the heart lifting thing was watching engineering teams working to construct new towers to replace the damaged ones. After a 14-hour drive we reached my city and as we passed through the streets, the city looked much better than the picture I had in mind. My entire family was safe, which was very pleasant.

In the eyes of the media life is misrepresented in Iraq. Each time I saw or heard of something like what we all saw, I used to question myself, “Why are we like this? Can it be true that twenty five million people have lived in pain, torture, poverty and all those bitter things that came with Saddam and his regime? Could it be we deserve our misfortune? Why can’t we change, even after Saddam Hussein was dethroned? What have this devil and his gang done to my people?”

I have lived long enough here and seen and read history and that is what makes me believe that most Iraqis are a wonderful people and deserve a better life. Iraqi people have given too much to come to where they are right now; they now know there is a better life. They are aware of what has happened, you see it in their eyes. I saw it in the eyes of the youth. They do not want what their parents grew up with; they want a democracy that is so well deserved; they want to be able to travel to other countries and get a better education, and be respected rather than being known as a terrorists.

Iraqi people are not the terrorists; they have been terrorized for so long that they don’t want to live in that stage anymore. It’s those who are loyal to Saddam who still won’t let Iraqis live in peace. The youth of Iraq have been exposed to international culture; they are now aware of the high style life, they desire it. We should make the world realize that, not to gain some pity or compassion, but to make sure that it will not happen again anywhere in the world.

LUNCH SPEAKERRuben Nelson

Futurist

For 20,000 years people have been coming to this part of the world. All who came were immigrants; how recent is the only difference. Europeans came to Canada in the 1800’s; some communities that they established are 200 years old. The development of the railroad in the late 1800’s facilitated immigration, especially on the prairies.

In 1966 the point system that had to be met to come to Canada changed. The slogans were:

“Coming to Canada and making it home” “All in this together” Adjustments “Can’t afford to fight with neighbours” We need each other and we need to work together Come to Canada, you don’t have to change (The reality is everything has to change) Inner work/outer work is very important Every culture has its boundaries.

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It is important us to get outside our comfort zone and experience different cultures, not just as guests but also as new citizens, new owners. Government thinking needs to be changed regarding ownership: we are the owners.

Letting go of what we know is hard work. For example, we think of Canada as a mosaic nation not a melting pot. The mosaic example is not appropriate; it means you can’t change, once you’re a red chip, you’re always a red chip. However, we’ve out grown this concept; we must be able to change, it is important.

What is an appropriate image for all immigrants for the future? Think of it as an ongoing journey of growth and development, of getting to know each other. When we get to know each other fear disappears. Research proves we are all from the same gene pool, therefore, we are all family. “Play nice, you’re family”.

Canadians are called to be pioneers of the 21st century. Our vision for Canada: we need one country to be a leader, have wisdom, and be a humane society. It needs to effect networks to fit the changing world community. Canada needs to acknowledge our accomplishments and move forward.

“THE SETTLEMENT EXPERIENCES OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN AT AN EDMONTON SETTLEMENT AGENCY”

Dr. Fay FletcherUniversity of Alberta

Fay spent three years with Changing Together doing research into the settlement and integration experiences of immigrant women in Canada.

The SiteThere were 19 interviews with 13 women. Ten of the women took part in a pre-employment program and these women had immigrated from Africa, Lebanon, Japan, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Columbia in the previous two years. Three were settlement workers (two having immigrated themselves).

Immigration PolicyLack of access to adequate educational opportunities and English language education, limited recognition of skills, and raced and gendered social construction prevent full participation in Canadian society.

At the onset, before they even come, [women] are told don’t even dare to ask for anything from the government because you are sponsored by your husband and he is responsible for you. (Alia)

Multicultural Act

We continue talking about diversity, about acceptance, about belonging, and still words. I don’t see it in action. So I don’t think multiculturalism is enforced to the fullest of what we have in the act.

The intent is great. The reality is it is not happening. (Nancy: 257) Asked if she would encourage others to come to Canada, Jasmine responded:

Only if they stay at home. If they are going to stay at home here and not bother anyone. That is a pretty tough thing to do. (long pause) Overall, coming to a new country, it is challenging…this is hard.

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Marginalization

In the absence of collaborative efforts with mainstream institutions (education, employment) and social institutions (family), it is a challenge to foster environments that maximize women’s skills or education.

There is a big gap between the women of Canada and the women of the immigrant. You have just so many things for immigrant people, but we don’t come together with the mainstream. There is no network…. There is this gap. (Araba)

Employment

At work I was learning language and how to behave. When I listened, what kind of talk they talked, like what kind of way they talk, eating, wearing clothes. (Manini)

I was kind of afraid for my language, because I don’t speak the language. And, I got many interviews, people phoned me, but when I was in the interview I was not able to communicate. So I understand the work, that’s all, I get frustrated with that. Because maybe I can help out and do the work, but I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t explain. (Maggie)

Education

For my experience with some of my friends who have come here with their Masters or degrees, I think it is more painful for them. And it is harder for them to get jobs... Yes, because they want to be accepted the way they wanted to be. They wanted to do jobs that they are meant to do. (Araba)

We see lots of depression with women, especially professional women who expect they can come and continue their career. Their credentials are not recognized here. (Sonia)

Policies

Assumptions: Patriarchal family structure Immigration from lower socioeconomic, less status Women made choice to come to Canada Independent sponsor cares for the womanImpact: Skills are undervalued and unrecognized Women are overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities Women lose status, confidence, self esteem Women have to adjust to a life choice they did not make Sponsorship leaves them ineligible for important social and education programs, dependent on sponsor

Recommendations

Recognize women are often equal partners prior to immigration Recognize that women immigrating to Canada are highly educated and have a record of career and

personal success in countries of origin Provide stable funding and access to relevant programs (education and support) Develop relationships with Canadian born women Recognize the impact of the loss of control

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Develop policies based on the premise that women are self sufficient, capable and independent

The Lack of Communication or Collaborative Work between (1) settlement agencies and mainstream educational and employment opportunities and (2) immigrant women and Canadian-born women indicates little commitment on the part of mainstream or dominant societal cultures to embrace (let alone integrate with) marginalized societal cultures. This reflects the fact that multiculturalism is either seen as something of significance to immigrant or marginalized groups in Canada as opposed to all Canadians or as a way in which to maintain the status quo.Multiculturalism may transcend from theory to practice if there are collaborative efforts between mainstream institutions (work, education, family) and settlement organizations, and the construct of 'immigrant woman' is dislocated so that women may capitalize on their skills and education.

Recommendations for Future Research Expectations prior to immigration Longitudinal research Exploration of factors contributing to the lack of communication between the locales critical to

integration and full participation Comparative analysis of the roles of multiple settlement agencies – originality, duplication and

competition. “TRAFFICKING WOMEN AND GIRLS TO CANADA”

Tigist DaflaCatholic Social Services

Tigist works with women’s shelters and women’s groups and there is also a focus group.

UN Protocol on Trafficking, 2004 – not all countries have signed. There are no laws of protection. The women and girls are looked at as criminals and are afraid of the police. There is the Human Rights issue; most of the women are under 25 years old.

What is Canada doing? How can we understand the issue? There needs to be advocates and public education. Canada must offer protection to trafficked persons. Since the adoption of the “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking Persons, especially Women and Children”, the Canadian government has increased its efforts to combat these practices that rely on the exploitation of vulnerable people. Also, there is a need to educate the Canadian public and immigrant and refugee serving organizations to bring forward the dilemma they face when the only alternatives they can offer trafficked persons is deportation. When trafficked people come forward, or are found by the authorities, they are treated as criminals, rather than victims of a crime.

There has been a brief discussion regarding what was done in Alberta in the past year and also future plans in this area. We are also involved with the Canadian Council for Refugees in their ongoing effort to highlight the issues regarding trafficked persons in Canada.

There will be another meeting in a couple of months; contact Changing Together for information or check out this website: www.trafficking.ca.

“ARE FAST TRACK PROGRAMS IN HEALTH CARE WORKING?”Sushila Samy

Samy Consulting

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General

The Conference Board of Canada states that 3.9 million people in Canada (13.4%) are visible minorities. From 1992 – 2001, the visible minority population grew at a rate of 5% per annum. The rest of the population grew at 1% per annum. By 2016, the visible minority population will grow to 19% or 6.6 million.

75% of visible minorities are immigrants and the top six countries providing immigrants are:

China India Pakistan Korea Philippines Taiwan

The Government of Canada projects that immigrants are expected to account for all labour force growth by 2011. There is a need for skilled immigrants but the non-recognition of foreign qualifications makes it difficult to work in their fields.

Shortage of Healthcare Professionals

Canada has a point system but immigrants are still not finding jobs even though there is a waiting list to see doctors and lack of doctors in rural areas makes waiting time to see a doctor even worse. 200,000 health care workers are needed.

Canadian Nurses Association: there will be a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2011 There is a great shortage of all healthcare professionals. Alberta has a shortage of about 1,000 doctors now There are waiting lists for family physicians and all medical specialists

Equal Access to Licensure for Foreign Trained Medical Graduates: The project started in 2001(includes men and women) with the main funding coming from Canadian Heritage. International Medical Graduates (IMG’s) face barriers with acceptance of their credits. There are government barriers for men and women. One doctor who has been in Alberta for 23 years, worked as a gynecologist in India and England but ended up with a job as a lab technician.

The goal is to address institutional and other barriers to obtaining licences by IMG.

Research was done to obtain the numbers of IMG’s and where they were located. Focus groups were set up to identify barriers. The survey was conducted in partnership with University of Alberta (received funding from Alberta

Health).

Barriers to licensure include: The cost of exams (English, physical, residency) is $700 to $1,000 for each exam. Medical establishments are reluctant to grant internships. There is professional resistance: Canadian graduates are preferred over international graduates. Immigrants are stereotyped. Doctors need to work on being advocates.

Other barriers include: a lack of knowledge of system, a need to provide for families,

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a need to adjust to a new culture, the lack of support for doing exams, a lack of preceptors for internships, and the resistance of professional bodies.

Equal access to licensure began with the formation of the IMG Association in Edmonton and Calgary and strengthening the associations for advocacy. I.M.G. provides study groups, help for interviews, preparation of resumes and helps with integration.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons needs to compromise with internships. There are programs to help communication between patients and I.M.G.’s. A forum with major stakeholders, settlement agencies, Alberta Health and Wellness, Regional Health, University of Alberta, IQAS, College of Physicians and Surgeons was held. More hospitals are accepting I.M.G.’s. It is going very slowly even though the need is very high. Government bodies are being pressured to give accreditation.Access to LicensureThe results are that the IMG Association, which has 190 members, is stronger, has a better understanding of issues and is better able to advocate. IMG’s have formed study groups to help each other prepare for exams as well as brushing up on their interview skills, writing letters, taking CPR sessions, and preparing for a Residency program.

A program called Patient Centred and Relationship Centred Communication (communication with patients in Canada) has been introduced and is being delivered to 30 IMG’s. This is the first year that eight Residencies in hospitals have been provided. A Pre-residency Preceptor’s Guide for IMG’s is being prepared and a database of IMG’s in urban and rural areas has been created.

“US” vs. “THEM”: IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND FERTILITY”Tatjana Alvadj-Korenic

Planned Parenthood, Edmonton

Planned Parenthood Edmonton conducted a study “Immigrant Women and Fertility: Rights and Responsibilities”.

School is the most important factor and there must be support for student finance. There is discrimination (rules and regulations are very strict, often inflexible). Some women hid their pregnancy so they wouldn’t lose funding. Women feel abused by the system (judgment). Having more children is seen as getting more money (judgment). It’s all about money. It comes down to a choice of integration or family. If immigrant women have a family they can suffer depression and isolation. They are expected to raise a family, work and go to school. Women are seen as numbers not as people. We have to fight against stereotypes and prejudices.

Presentation

I will start by introducing Maya. She is a beautiful woman in her late thirties. She arrived from Africa five years ago. She is the mother of seven: three of her children were born in Canada. She is married, but describes her husband as someone who is more interested in community affairs then his family. She is a student of office administration and describes her daily routine:

“I don’t talk to my classmates in the school, at the break or lunch time. I have to do my homework. I used to take the bus. When I take the bus, I study in the bus. When I come

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home, no reading, nothing. I don’t study at home. I have to help kids with their homework. That is what I do. I am very tired, but I don’t have a choice…I have to do that…”

When she was two months into her course, Maya found out that she was pregnant. She said she spoke with the school counselor who convinced her to stay in the program. Firstly, if she quit school, she would be required to pay back the money she had already received for her living expenses. Secondly, they figured that she would graduate school before she was due to deliver her baby. So Maya stayed in the program and continued with her hectic routine. “I never took day off and never failed my exams. “

The last day of school, and before the beginning of her practicum, the students were writing exams. This is how Maya, at that time eight months pregnant, describes that day:

“My whole body was swollen, from my head to my toe. I tried to finish my exams. I didn’t feel ok, but I didn’t want to show them. I was very, very tired. I felt stressed. And I felt there is something abnormal…I wasn’t comfortable, my body was heavy.”

That night, Maya was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with high blood pressure, and next day doctors performed a Cesarean Section. Two weeks later, at the counselor’s office, she was told that she could not continue the course (practicum) and that she had to pay the money back for the period of time she was absent. Maya said:

I said,’ was that my choice to stay at home for two weeks, or there was an accident happened to me’. She [counselor] said that the ‘student finance’ doesn’t care. I said, ‘how about the report, he [doctor] did the report’, but she said, ‘no, that is it’…”

Then she said:

“I felt it is discrimination…I feel like that. Everybody knows the reason why I was in the hospital. If that day they [doctors] didn’t help me and I died, who would pay the money? Who is going to do everything? Nobody cared about me… my health…all they care about is money. I am the one who has to do everything. If I die, who is going to do this…?”

Maya was one of 21 respondents in the study “Immigrant women and Fertility: Rights and Responsibilities” conducted by Planned Parenthood Edmonton and funded by the Status of Women Canada. Fifteen women were from African countries, three from Haiti and three from the region of Kurdistan. The study is looking at experiences related to the fertility of women coming from countries with high fertility rates. For this particular occasion, I chose just one segment of the whole study that relates to respondents stories, which relates to the experience of pregnancy, motherhood and the educational system.

Following their arrival in Canada, the educational system that exists for immigrants to adjust/improve their skills for the Canadian job market is often one of the first experiences that the immigrant women have with the rules and structures of Canadian society. All participants in the study perceived school as the most important way out of isolation, ignorance and poverty towards integration, knowledge and a higher standard of living. It is also a source of financial support for the women and their families through the practice of student financing. It may also be a traumatic experience. Pregnancy, children, obligation to the family here and back home that women see as an integral part of their living, are often in conflict with the rules, policies and obligations defined by educational institutions. As a result of such a conflict, the respondents faced the consequences that they defined as discrimination, intolerance and unfairness.

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“As a woman, you cannot miss school, even when your child is sick or you are pregnant, or you have a baby. NO! You cannot even be allowed to go to the washroom, because for the teacher you are disturbing the class. When I was eight months pregnant the teacher told me to quit school, because I was asking frequently to go to the washroom.” (Lisa)

“Me, I didn’t tell them that I was pregnant, I had to hide and during my practicum some time I couldn’t do all the work but, I didn’t have the choice. I couldn’t have sick leave; otherwise I could lose my funding.” (Mary)

When the respondents were talking about their experiences with educational institutions, they often used the words “they” or ”them”. Although sometimes it was difficult to distinguish what specific segment of “they” the respondents were referring to, it was unmistakable that ‘they’ have the power and control over different aspect of respondents’ lives. Existence of “they’ and ‘them” naturally creates its opposition in the notion of ‘we” or “us” (immigrant women, black immigrant women, veiled immigrant women). The barriers created between the two include inflexible rules and policies imposed on immigrant women that do not reflect the reality of their lives and are often based on prejudices and racism.

“They don’t believe that we want to learn. They think that we go there for money. But we want to have a profession and help our children and our families. We came here with hope that can fulfill our goal but instead they are discouraging us. School, ‘student funding’ don’t treat us as human beings. Some women even preferred to quit school instead of being abused by the system.” (Moyo)

“Sometimes, we think, especially black skin, we think, they don’t like us, or they are discriminating us. Sometimes, they do. Sometimes they don’t give us information. Sometimes you can see on their face.” (Ruth)

“They say that [we] have a lot of children and they will say that [we] are on social welfare. They cannot think of someone active as a professional and having so many children. If you have a lot of children, they will think it is because you want to get more money from the government. It is stupid, because you have always to explain how you can cope with many children and be a professional.” (Naike)

One of the fundamental misunderstandings between ‘us’ and ‘them’, from my point of view, is that educational institutions and policy makers are coming from the perspective that an individual (and when we say individual, it sounds gender free, which doesn’t exist in the real life) is able to make clearly defined choices, priorities and have perfect control over one’s life and fertility. As a person, a woman, an immigrant woman, you are expected to choose whether you want to learn the language, go to school and work, which practically means to integrate, or you want to have children, which in many cases means the disruption of integration. Within the existing system, integration and motherhood, according to respondents, are not meant to go together. However, for many women it is the only way to survive. The lives of many immigrant women (and that includes their fertility), especially in the first years after they arrive, is too ‘messy’ and demanding and very often, for a variety of reasons that I don’t have time to go through, cannot be controlled by an individual woman. The women repeatedly said that they “don’t have a choice”. Linda explains:

“If you don’t work, financially you cannot survive. You don’t have that choice really to say, I am going to sit down and than let my husband go, because we still have to have two incomes…So, you keep going. If you don’t go to school, you will not learn anything. And

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then, do you agree that at certain age all women feel they have to have kids? Right? So, you cannot stop because the life will never stop for you.” (Linda)

No wonder that, according to a just released study, the health of immigrant women, after two years of being in Canada, is 30% more likely then that of Canadian born women, to be fair or poor.

These women’s voices force us to conclude that, ‘us’, the immigrant women, especially the visible minority women, are invisible in their true identities, in the realities of their lives, in experiences of their bodies, in their agencies and motives to succeed. It seems that for “them”, the institutions and policy makers, the immigrant women exist in the reality of representations, images, or, plainly, prejudices.

“Just in general, going to school should be a good experience. The teacher has to welcome the students, they have to be teachers, not talking to the people like they are a burden for this society; it is not a way you work with people, specifically Africans.” (Lisa)

Maya phoned me the other day. She started her practicum with another school. I am happy for her, but my question is: does it have to be so difficult?

EQUITY IN EDMONTON SCHOOLSCharlene Hay

Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations

Schools are a microcosm of the community and racism is probably more blatant in schools. Some schools have a positive environment with cross-cultural understanding and they know how to deal with racism effectively.

Racism in schools is frequent; it means being excluded and having a feeling of not being safe. Jokes and verbal harassment are very common and students feel that is okay. One third of students saw racial violence on a monthly basis.

Student to Student

Racism can be subtle. Students who are visible minorities are often excluded from activities. They feel less safe and also feel that their cultural differences are not acknowledged or respected.

When racism is overt racist jokes may be common. Sometimes there is verbal harassment and this can lead to racially motivated violence.

Systemic Racism shows up when there are few minority teachers working in the school system. There are few role models for visible minorities and the message then is that minorities can’t achieve.

Curriculum and Culture

The curriculum in Alberta schools is mainstream and Christian based. Other cultures, if they are taught, tended to be seen as separate units or a one-day teaching unit. Teachers don’t understand other cultures, which are often seen as inferior; they need opportunities to learn about the cultures represented by the students in their classrooms.

Other Systemic Barriers

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Some barriers in the educational system cause students to focus their emotions inward. When students focus their emotions outward it results in inappropriate behaviour and occasional violence. There may be a lack of support with ESL classes. English as a Second Language (ESL) students need more support, i.e., in math and science, because of the language barrier. Students are often placed in their age group with no additional ESL help outside regular classes. These students often have low self-esteem. The Canadian education system can be vastly different from their country of origin. Teachers may have lower expectations of immigrant students, which lead to lower achievement.

Parents View

Parents pointed out that there are very few teachers of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. They feel their culture is not understood by teachers or by mainstream culture. They often work two or three jobs and are intimidated and afraid that if they speak to the school authorities they would make things worse for their children. Therefore, the students are not receiving support from their parents.

Parents often feel they have to be constantly monitoring their child’s educational experience while at the same time they may feel who has the time; nobody pays us to be parents. Barriers that parents encounter to monitoring their children’s education include:

working several jobs, having no time, feeling intimidated by the school system, their own cultural differences, and a fear of making things worse.

Schools Attitude

When schools were confronted they often responded inappropriately, ineffectively, too late, or not at all. When school authorities are confronted their attitude is “kids will be kids”. Educators are often defensive or in denial that racism exists. Often they don’t realize or understand the problems. It can be d ifficult for schools to understand or recognize racism and therefore they tend to deal with the symptoms, not the root cause. Student withdrawal, low achievement levels, inappropriate behaviour and occasionally violence are usually not dealt with. In these cases it was only the behaviour that was dealt with. There is the question of having a Zero Tolerance Policy for violence; there should be zero tolerance of racism

“RESEARCH ON IMMIGRANT SINGLE MOTHERS IN ALBERTA”Dr. Caridad Bernardino

Idalia Ivon Pereira

Background of the study

Immigrant Single Mothers (ISM) poverty issues relate to women’s low employment earnings which are often attributed to low levels of education, inadequate public transfers and insufficient child support from non-custodial fathers (Nichols-Casebolt and Krysik, 2003; Ford and Miller, 1998). The lived realities of ISM raise several challenges to existing government policies.

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Research Objectives

To explore the living, working and recreational conditions of immigrant single mothers in Alberta. The experiences, needs and concerns of immigrant single mothers in Alberta in terms of living, working

and recreational barriers Immigrant single mothers coping with the challenges they have Services and programs available and offered by organizations and agencies in Alberta Services and programs perceived as needed to support immigrant women to create healthy living

conditions Expectations of support from Changing Together

Significance of the Study

Exploring Immigrant Single Mothers’ multi-layered and overlapping challenges, needs, concerns and experiences as well as their coping strategies might help. Programs need to be designed for immigrant single mothers families, focusing on children, as they are centrally involved and their development is being affected. Recommendations need to be formulated with regard to the development of new or revision of existing policies that affect women and children.

Methodology

Research Team and the Advisory Committee Research Sites: Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer Recruitment included: - Randomly selected samples: ethnicities, educational backgrounds, contexts, length of time in

Canada- Ethnic organizations, immigrant serving agencies, churches/spiritual institutions and women’s

organizations- Word of mouth and networking with colleagues from other organization

Challenges- Language barrier- Conflict in schedules

Research strategies- Literature review - In-depth interviews - Focus group discussions.

The Research Participants came from five ethnic communities: Chinese, South Asian, Vietnamese, Filipino and Latin American. 64 ISM were interviewed: 21 participated in focus groups and interviews, 40 in either interviews or focus group. In total, 49 were interviewed and 40 participated in focus groups.

Demographic Profile

21 languages spoken Immigration Status: family class, refugees, skilled workers, business immigrants, independent

immigrants Expectations before coming to Canada: land of promise, peace, freedom, residence Length of stay in Canada: 2 months to 19 years

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Number of people they knew in Canada – only 35% have relatives in Canada

Personal and family information

25 – 54 years of age: youngest 18-24, oldest more than 65 years old 65% divorced/separated, 16% widows, 14% with children out of wedlock, and 5% single mothers by

choice 59% of their children are under 12 years old 61% do not relate with their ethnic community, which have negative perceptions of single motherhood 56% volunteer in various organizations, schools and nursing homes.

Education and Working and Economic Conditions

The women’s education was in the areas of Social Sciences, Political Science, Education, Agriculture, and Food Industries. Many live below the poverty line and work at labour intensive low pay jobs, most with no benefits. The jobs included sales, care-giving, janitorial, housekeeping and other. Three of the women are program coordinators and one is an art teacher. Income reported was under $15,000 though 6% reported more than $40,000. Those on SFI found it is not enough to cover basic expenses even if they work. There is no money for recreation expense, furniture, clothes and items for children. 71% single mothers do the housework by themselves, only 22 % get help from their children.

Health and Well-being

Health was generally good although 71% expressed that their health had worsened in Canada. 53% of the causes were attributed to immigration, cultural adaptation, and separation/divorce issues. The e ffect of single motherhood on health and well-being causes mental and emotional distress. Changes in life style contributed to mental and emotional distress

Relation with ex-husbands and potential for a new relationship

Only 16% did not have problems getting child support from the father. Their coping mechanism is to forget the problem and move on by working and seeking government support. 46% did not know the whereabouts of their husbands. The main problems they had were no relationship at all, stalking, getting their divorce papers done, and fighting to get child support payments.

Only 13% of participants were interested in new romantic relationships. Others insisted they do not have time for a new romantic relationship; they devote most of their time to their children. Often children do not approve of their mother having a new relationship.

Parenting Experiences

94% are aware of their duties and responsibilities as a parent and the differences in parenting styles with their home county.

Challenges in the mother – children relationships include Behaviour, character, personalities Freedom and change of culture Education approach - parents – teachers

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Children’s illness, problems and habits Language Child welfare

Coping strategies with these differences include:

good communication understanding of children time with children education/information traditions, culture, customs and values love and explanation

Discipline

Self change/be open minded Connection with ethnic community

Challenges to meet children’s needs

financial education language time transportation lack of information with regard to recreation and summer activities

Coping strategies of parents:

self education to get a better paid job helping children to keep their own identity good communication withdrawing of children’s privileges acceptance making time to play with children be patient and ask for help and advice communication with teachers different way to approach children

Effect of the father figure absence on children

feeling insecure having low self-esteem being upset about father feeling sad changes in behavior, challenging not enjoying life feeling abandoned - 13th birthday girl asked for her father as a gift

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Coping mechanisms

communication between children and their father be father and mother sharing feelings with child cry together talk about the child’s father father is “now in heaven” lets child join the Boy Scouts lets child join church activities connecting child to the ethnic community offering help to contact father looking for ways to feel good about themselves

Source of social and financial support

Friends and relatives - children and parents Organizations: Changing Together, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers Government: social workers, nurses God Support received: encouragement, advice, information, listening, interpretation, connection to health

services, daycare, and rides 74% positive comments: support received, the government is doing the best it could but it should do

more A few negative comments: difficulty of looking for a job, they had not received any support, they were

treated unfairly by Child Welfare

Source of information

The women did not know where to seek information regarding:

legal advice 32% educational credentials/children’s schooling 29% government social assistance programs/services 32% employment preparation and opportunities 39% family counseling and support services 45% medical and health services 3% immigration and settlement services 19% parenting and child care 29%

42% of the women participated in parenting programs: mostly Vietnamese, Filipino and Chinese. 6% participated in associations or clubs for Single Moms. As a result of this research, a group of participants initiated the formation of a Single Mothers Network and got a seed grant from Action for Healthy Communities

Integration experiences

71% experienced success in Canada in education, jobs, security, stability, safety, and independence. 52% feel they have a say in local community issues although most of the Vietnamese and Filipinos think their opinions don’t matter especially if their English is limited.

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52% experienced racism/discrimination or differential treatment in getting jobs, looking for promotions, in restaurants, medical clinics, hospitals, daycare, apartment buildings, and from Child Welfare workers. The ways the women responded to racism included ignoring it, getting angry and letting the offending party know, speaking up and being assertive, doing research, getting information and looking for help.

Recommendations to Government

Help ISM’s to get a better education so they are able to provide a good education for their children. Support agencies that support ISM. Fund a variety of activities for ISM where they feel valued, respected and appreciated. A policy should be put in place to improve the system of providing assistance and benefits to Single

Mothers (e.g. stop the practice of reducing the allowance even if single mothers get a bit of employment income). This will enable single mothers to gain sustainable employment to support their family better

Fund a Centre for Immigrant Single Mothers Provide more funding for ESL programs Provide more and better quality of services and programs for children Provide for ISM and children’s needs according to priority Adequate affordable housing for Immigrant Single Mothers Financial support for micro-businesses and home-based work for single mothers while looking after

children Continue supporting single mothers for school and employment and support for children

Recommendations to NGOs and Community Organizations

There should be more programs for ISM in ethnic languages Single Mothers’ clubs/support groups where they can discuss issues, meet friends, and support each

other. Have more children’s programs There should be a welcoming centre for refugee single mothers to orient, guide and support them. More information and more programs and activities Evening child care Formation of a Vietnamese community group in Red Deer

Other Comments and Suggestions

The increasing cost of living in Alberta creates hardship. Most were happy to meet other single mothers though there were not a lot of single mothers. Changing Together should help look for more jobs for single mothers. A job is very important. Get

more activities for the children. Appreciation of this research, which gives the women a chance to present their feelings. There is no

opportunity to share feelings in own culture. Refugee single mothers need special support/ treatment to help them address barriers.

MASCULINITY PROJECT: “IN SEARCH OF A NEW AND HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP”Mr. Leo Campos, Community Network Group

Mr. Luis Garay, Alberta Cross-cultural Services (ACROSS)

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The objective of the project is to discuss and educate immigrant men about family violence and its effect on family relationships. Through a series of facilitated conversations and workshops, we will examine the issues and concerns felt and faced by immigrant men as they settle in a new land and a new community. The discussions will also focus on the continuing need to educate a broader section of society on issues of racism, employment, success, and discrimination so that necessary changes will take place to ease the integration process for immigrant families. The outcome of the project is to develop a module that will be used by other agencies across Canada.

A growing concern has emerged regarding the challenges faced by immigrant men as they move from a familiar world to a new land in which their cultural and masculine identity becomes clouded and questioned. Many immigrant couples experience not only the intense demands of adjusting to a new set of cultural values and norms, but also an acute sense of isolation, loneliness and family conflicts. In short, the relationship between immigrant couples and children is under ongoing stress. This stress can create an unhealthy, and in many instances, abusive pattern of violence, recrimination and eventually, family breakdown.

Through a series of facilitated conversations/workshops, we propose to initiate an inquiry about the issues and concerns felt and faced by immigrant men as they settle in a new land and a new community.

In this context, such an initiative will:

provide a safe, friendly meeting place for immigrant men; facilitate self-discovery, awareness, recovery and healing; explore personal change and community involvement and resources; gain an understanding on family violence, its impact on new Canadians and its prevention; act to reduce/eliminate violence against women and children; and provide referral to treatment/counseling when it is required.

Recruiting will be done through:

immigrant serving agencies, multicultural and mainstream media, multicultural events and social gatherings, women’s groups and associations, Multicultural Health Care Brokers’ Co-operative, and multicultural

associations.

Participation will be open and free of charge to all men from different countries. We anticipate eight to ten men per session. Participants will subscribe to a basic code of conduct and confidentiality and the Provincial Privacy Act shall regulate all personal information collected.

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“ACTION PLAN”

Priority: Education and experience need to be recognized. There is a shortage of healthcare workers; therefore, we need to pressure the government for accreditation of foreign qualifications.

Schools: There needs to be research and training of teachers in the area of racism. This is a problem and we need to pressure for change.

The Mayor’s challenge: more public education (bring more people) is needed and more marketing for immigrant women, which can involve partnerships/networking.

There should be follow-up on recommendations that have been made.

Memories: videos of the Conference should be made for the generations to come so that our memories are passed on.

To what extent can we involve other people, not just staff in our Conference? We need to extend invitations to involve clients and families.

More women should be elected to public office (there should be a balance of 50% women in all areas of government).

“RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S CONFERENCE”

Bring this Conference to City Hall; ask all City Councilors and the Mayor to be present (as well as MLA’s and MP’s).

After short presentations have work sessions to make recommendations to directly to deal with the issues that have been raised.

The first priority should be to lobby intensely for the recognition of foreign credentials.

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