OUT LOUD WILD WOMAN ANN-BERNICE THOMAS
AMPLIFIED! AUTHOR-ACTIVIST AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
WORDS SPEAKING VOLUMES YOUTH PERFORMERS THE ONION THEATRE PROJECT
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2019
and so much more...
OUT LOUD WILD WOMAN ANN-BERNICE THOMAS
AMPLIFIED! AUTHOR-ACTIVIST AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
WORDS SPEAKING VOLUMES YOUTH PERFORMERS THE ONION THEATRE PROJECT SPRING/SUMMER 2019
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS and so much more...
Many of us came from somewhere else. Some of us arrived 100 years ago, some of us 100 days ago. Now we are here—working, living, and learning together. We may have arrived in different ways and for different reasons. We may be going down different paths, but one thing is the same: here is home. THE HERE MAGAZINE FAMILY EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO THE ORIGINAL STEWARDS OF THE LAND, AND RESPECTFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT OUR WORK TAKES PLACE ON THE UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE LEKWUNGEN AND COAST SALISH PEOPLES, INCLUDING SONGHEES, ESQUIMALT, AND W̱ SÁNEĆ FIRST NATIONS. THE HERE MAGAZINE FAMILY BELIEVES CULTURAL EDUCATION AND STORYTELLING ARE KEY TO THE PATH FORWARD AND SUPPORTS LOCAL FIRST NATIONS AND NEWCOMER COMMUNITIES IN CONTINUING TO SHARE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES AND HISTORIES TO DEEPEN ONE ANOTHER’S UNDERSTANDING, AND TO ENSURE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER IN THIS TIME OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION.
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HEREMAGAZINE.CA
FEATURES Volume 6, Issue 1
NEWCOMER SOFIA LÓPEZ FUERTES P. 9
OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN P. 19
WILD WOMAN ANN-BERNICE P. 27
OVERCOMING HATE P. 39
IN OUR FOOTSTEPS. P. 49
VIVA! VICTORIA LATIN FEST P. 63
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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FROM THE EDITOR
“A good ally recognizes when you overstay your welcome. As my ally, you should be pushing me forward, passing the mic to me.” —Ahmad Danny Ramadan
HOLDING THE MIC Fiona really has no business doing this. On the two or
So, what is the work of an ally? And how can we all
three occasions a close friend of mine has expressed
become better allies? I don’t have the answers of
this sentiment, and the odd time I have repeated it, the
course, but Amélie Lamont, a self-described “cis-
words were met with general discomfort or dismay by
gendered Black woman,” offers some insights. To the
others in the room. I usually smile because I know the
first, Amélie writes: To be an ally is to take on the
“this” means “a second-generation French-Scottish-
struggle as your own; stand up even when you feel
Irish Canadian (i.e., a White settler) working to help
scared; transfer the benefits of your privilege to those
amplify underrepresented voices in Canada.” I also
who lack it; acknowledge that while you, too, feel pain,
understand that she is calling me out as an ally.
the conversation is not about you. To the second, she presents a list of do’s and don’ts. My favourite from the
Truth be told, I have a complicated relationship with
do’s: Amplify the voices of those without your privilege.
allyship. I do not consider myself an activist; to me, the
You probably would have guessed that was my fave.
allyship lexicon shouts activism. And rules. And limitations. I feel that being called an ally politicizes my
Built with many hands, and many diverse voices, this
work and my values. I feel more than fortunate to do
OUT LOUD issue absolutely amplifies! And it
work that I love with people from all over the world who
challenges, celebrates, and dances right off the page
are making Canada their adopted home. My
too. Our community is vibrating with a palpable creative
background is education; I have never classified my
energy, born from the human need for self-expression, and also bursting with the power to heal and unite.
work or my relationships as those of an ally. I have never needed a label.
To this issue’s voices and artists—Sofia, Danny, Allyship can be a minefield and, if I accept the label, I
Ann-Bernice, Kayo,
am, at best, an imperfect ally. I sometimes use the
Moises, those who have come before and all those
wrong language, occupy space that is not mine to
still to come, I say this: I was only holding the mic
occupy, forget my privilege. (And I understand the irony
while you climbed the steps to the stage. The mic, the
of using this editorial space to talk about me instead of
stage, the pen, the page, the brush, the canvas—they
the astoundingly talented people highlighted in this
were always yours. —Fiona Bramble
issue, but please bear with me.)
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Françoise, Jasmindra, Taiwo,
CONTRIBUTORS
ANN-BERNICE THOMAS P. 27
KAYO MPOYI P. 30
AVIGAIL OLARTE P. 39
JASMINDRA JAWANDA P. 49
TAIWO AFOLABI P. 58
JAKELINA LISTES P. 59
J. MOISES DEL OLMO P. 66
KAREECE WHITTLE-BROWN P. 81
LARA COSTA P. 82
ADRIENNE CARTER P. 83
JOHN-EVAN SNOW
HELIO NOGUEIRA
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
6
Managing Editor
Discover More
Fiona Bramble
www.heremagazine.ca
Copy Editors Christy Sebelius Renée Layberry
Editorial Committee Jakelina Listes Fiona Bramble John-Evan Snow Daniela Pinto Hyeyoung Jeon
Fiona Bramble
Photography Director John-Evan Snow
/heremagazinecanada
Art and Design Direction
Contributors Ann-Bernice Thomas Kayo Mpoyi Avigail Olarte Jasmindra Jawanda Taiwo Afolabi Jakelina Listes J. Moises Del Olmo Kareece Whittle-Brown Lara Costa Adrienne Carter
Digital Director
Helio Nogueira @heremagazineCA
Community Engagement Avigail Olarte
/heremagazine.ca
Communications
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Lara Costa
160 Eberts St.‚ Victoria‚ B.C. Canada V8S 3H7 info@heremagazine.ca 250-920-7986
ON THE COVER Ann-Bernice Thomas is a spoken word artist, actor, and filmmaker based in Victoria B.C. PHOTO BY JOHN-EVAN SNOW
All contents copyrighted. Written permission from the publisher is required to reproduce‚ quote‚ reprint‚ or copy any material from Here Magazine. Ideas and opinions expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or advertisers. The publisher neither endorses nor assumes any liability for the contents of any advertisement in this publication. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. Single copy price: $8 Yearly subscription price: $30 Printed in Canada by TC Transcontinental Printing. ISSN 2291-8582
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#TheInclusionProject @HereMagazineCanada The Here Team were lucky enough to spend a dayrelationships and We love hearing about the magic of intercultural the special places participating where you met! in @royalroadsu Tag your Instagram photos #WeMetHere @the.inclusionproject! @heremagazinecanada We’ll regram Find them, and feature your story here! us maybe on Instagram
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(Learn more about Michael and Nikole’s love story @heremagazinecanada)
We love sharing community stories, and maybe we’ll feature your story here! The good agitator. @the.inclusionproject Learn more about this strategic dialogue on diversity,
@royalroadsu @heremagazinecanada
equity, and inclusiveness
#PassingTheMic #CoolUnderPressure
@the.inclusionproject (Instagram) @theinclusionproject (Facebook)
#Canada #RightHere #RightNow
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We are better together. @the.inclusionproject
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HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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New Here
SOFIA On an Adventure
Leaving behind the comforting chaos of Mexico City and the rich diversity of Chiapas, Sofia Lรณpez Fuertes chased her next adventure a little farther north. Now living in Victoria B.C. with her husband Raul and their two daughters, Sofia continues her lifelong passion as a literacy advocate and educator.
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NEW HERE
Mexico to Canada—that’s a big change for a young
Is there one thing you would say is really different
family. Why Canada?
about the two countries?
It was like: let’s go on an adventure! We had never been
I feel like people from the United States know they
in Canada. When we decided to come to Victoria, I didn’t
are living in the most powerful country in the world
even know where or what was Victoria. We had saved
and they express themselves in that way. Canadians
some money and thought we should take a break and
are more humble.
move to somewhere else. Raul wanted to go to Sweden. He loved Sweden. Or Denmark. We had gone to Denmark
When did you arrive in Victoria?
a few months before. But it was so far away, and I thought
August 2017. After we arrived, I questioned what we were
that if we were going to move to some place, it should be
doing here—why I was doing this to my kids. They would
where language is not a big barrier for us and the kids.
call me from school. They didn’t speak English, and
Plus, one year was the initial plan and I wasn’t going to
everything was new to them. I would say things like: “it will
spend eight months trying to understand the language
be amazing; it’s like a great adventure.” But by the middle
and then leave. So I said we should go to an English-
of the first year, we felt like it was getting better and
speaking place, but not to our neighbouring country. So,
agreed to stay longer. A few months ago, my youngest
what’s next? Canada. Everyone says Canada is beautiful.
said: “Okay, when you go back to Mexico, I will stay with my friend.” The girls are happy. Of course, they also say
Why not the United States? Because of Donald Trump?
they miss their grandparents, their dogs, and their home.
Yes. I was really surprised that people voted for Trump. That was so disappointing. And very significant. Millions
By “home,” do you mean your actual house?
of Americans voted for what he represents. There are
The place, the space. I never thought that moving to
beautiful people in the States and beautiful places. But
another country was going to be so intense. The house,
we in Mexico always feel they are looking down on us,
the stuff, the things—you think about them as a part of
and some Americans have treated Mexicans very badly. I
you and you are leaving them behind. In the beginning, I
know it’s a complex problem, and I can’t really say it’s
cried a lot. I would say to Raul, “I don’t believe, I can’t
their fault what is happening to immigrants [in the
believe we just left behind our whole life together.” For
U.S.]. I mean why do people in Mexico feel like they
fifteen years, we were building our lives. One day, we just
have to move away? I feel like it’s a shared
left it all behind.
responsibility for both governments. You felt like you had discarded your lives? Canada is happy to have you! And there are many
It was a loss; I was grieving. Now I don’t feel like that. I feel
Canadians in Mexico too. It seems like Canada and
like I am adding new layers. And now I think about all
Mexico have a special relationship.
these people that really have to move and have to leave
Yes, I think so. It was beautiful to see how Canadians
everything behind. My parents can travel and visit, and we
value Mexico. It was a big surprise for me, Actually,
are looking forward to going to Mexico to spend
everything here was a big surprise for me! I didn’t know
Christmas. Everything is okay and we can go back and
what to expect. I was expecting you, Canadians, to be
forth if anything happens. But these people that have to
more like Americans, but you are not—you are so
move, leave everything behind, with maybe no chance of
different, so different.
return. That must be…I can’t imagine.
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Your experience has given you empathy towards refugees. Are there many refugees in Mexico? What we see in Chiapas is many people trying to immigrate to the United States and they get stuck in the worst conditions. What happens on the border between Mexico and Guatemala is much the same thing that happens in the north. They cross the border with no legal documents and it is very risky travel. They have to take the train, The Beast. You’ll see people on the street in Chiapas without a leg because they tried to hop on the train. They have nothing to support them. There are a few organizations and the church that help, but we don’t provide accommodation for these people. It’s a very sad thing. I’ve always been a member of a class of society that is able to travel and go somewhere else. You don’t realize the freedom that you have. What is your hometown? I was born and raised in Mexico City, which is a huge and crazy city. Then, I moved to Chiapas, in the south of Mexico.Chiapas is one of the most s o c i a l l y , p o l i t i c a l l y , a n d c u l t u r a l l y c o m p l ex environments. It is one of the most poor provinces in Mexico, with a huge Indigenous population. What took you to Chiapas? My father used to travel to his main office between Chiapas and Guatemala when I was growing up, so Chiapas was always close to us. In 1984, there was a kind of revolution in Chiapas, an Indigenous revolution. These groups came together to say: Hey, here we are. We need to be recognized—our culture, our history. So Chiapas became a cultural centre. I went on vacation there one summer and fell in love with it. It was so beautiful. Two or three months later I met my husband, Raul. The first day we met, he called his mom and told her that he had just met the woman he was going to marry. On that date, he said, “I want to go to live in Chiapas. Do you want to come with me?” I said, “Okay!” Six months later, we were living in Chiapas.
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DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT Find Here Magazine on Apple Books to see more photos and learn about Sofia’s biggest fear living in Victoria, B.C.
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
12
NEW HERE What kept you in Chiapas?
Was it this work that led you to form your own not-
Raul and I were both working in a high school. It
for-profit?
was a new model for education—an Indigenous
When we started working with these students, we
high school led by Indigenous educators. We were
acknowledged that reading was the best way to open
trying to link the high school with government
doors in life. Most of their parents didn’t even speak
institutions to get their model and curriculum
Spanish. They didn’t read or write; they only spoke their
recognized. We worked there for three or four
Indigenous language. The youngest generations were
years. Some of the young people that graduated
introduced to Spanish language education, but it was
from the high school moved to San Cristóbal to
not a good quality education. They had no family
start university for the first time. They were the first
supports for the education they were getting in school,
g e n e rat i o n o f wo m e n t h at c a m e f ro m t h e s e
and they wanted to go to university and they got
communities to go to university. It was amazing. So
accepted because of government policies for
we also moved to San Cristóbal to start our
Indigenous or ‘mestizos’ inclusion. They graduate even
master’s degrees and we kept working with these
if they don’t meet the expectations, the requirements.
students. They had moved from this very small community to San Cristóbal, which is not a big city,
We started working with the students, trying to
but for them it was a big change. And being in the
develop formal skills for reading and literacy, but
university was a different world for them, so we
realized that when you don’t enjoy what you are
kept working with them, mainly in orientation work.
doing, then there is no meaning.
Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW
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NEW HERE They were overwhelmed. And there was no
Do you feel like the word “literacy” is inadequate
context for them. They had to read about Marx
to describe what transpired in your program?
and these big social science concepts, and
Yes! These people had a lot of creativity to develop
they didn’t have a connection to the content.
other skill sets. We put aside the traditional
So,
these
approaches and focused on creativity and life skills
students using a tutoring model for reading
with kids, realizing you have to start with learners
comprehension to try to bring meaning to
as young as possible. The word “literacy” is weird
what they were studying, we realized we were
for me because it doesn’t express the whole
missing
put
meaning. When we talk about literacy, we are
aside the formal skills, and we talked to them
always talking about being able to read, and being
about
able to understand what something means, literally.
after a
few years working with
something. When we their
experiences,
tried
and
to
we
read
different things like short stories that they
W h e n yo u
ex p e r i e n c e t h e s e l i f e - c h a n g i n g
connected with, that were relevant to them,
moments, when you reach the point of freedom,
something changed. It became possible for
when you get to really be involved in this world of
them to give meaning to that thing they were
words, it’s like another world.
r e a d i n g . W h e n y o u a r e s t r e s s e d b e c a u s e yo u h a v e t o j u s t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t yo u ’ r e r e a d i n g ,
W h a t i s t h e n a m e of yo u r n ot- fo r- p rof i t
you
organization?
give
up.
Yo u
don’t
c o n n e c t i o n s . I t ’ s j u s t wo rd s .
make
all
the
Germinalia. Germinar means “to grow something.”
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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SOFIA HERE IN CANADA FIRST EMOTION UPON ARRIVAL
me! I have been in that role now for just under a
I remember the immigration official. We were all in
year, and I also now work at the Greater Victoria
a big room. We watched how they interviewed
Public Library. When I got the job with GVAL, I
people. There were a few hard interviews with
called my husband and he started crying. I had
people who were missing papers or something.
been close to giving up. My experience getting
This huge man came over to us and said, “You are
hired by GVAL and the library was so different from
Raul? You are Sofia? This is your visa. This is your
earlier experiences. In response to an email from
visa. The girls don’t need a visa. Welcome to
me, a district supervisor from the library agreed to
Canada.” We were shocked, what kind of country
meet with me. She told me that a good starting
was this? Everyone kept saying “welcome to
position at the library was being posted that day.
Canada.” It was a beautiful feeling. Then we were
She told me how to present my résumé, and she
on the ferry to Victoria, early in the morning, on a
even said: “I don’t know you, but you can use me as
sunny day, and I thought, wow.
your reference.” Wow. What a different experience, a good one. I am so glad someone listened to me
CANADIAN CUSTOMS OR HABITS
—someone valued me.
I like how people here have boundaries. I appreciate it. In Latin countries, we don’t have
CULTURAL CONNECTION
boundaries. Sometimes it’s nice to have some
We speak in Spanish as much as possible. That is
space. Also: it was funny to learn how to greet
key. I read Spanish authors. I don’t like to
people. Should I give a kiss? Hug? Handshake?
reproduce the stereotypical things from my
Every situation seems different.
culture. Instead, I try to find places or people that seem familiar. We have friends that ask us to join in
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY SO FAR
celebrating Mexican Independence Day, which is
I discovered that to find a job in Canada you have
fun and nice, but I never celebrate that day at
to be flexible and have the intention to try almost
home. There are actually many things about
any kind of work. I sent my résumé to everyone,
Mexican culture that I don’t identify with, so I’d
but nobody called me. I also had a few bad
rather be with people that make me feel
experiences, like literally having a door shut in my
connected to my culture and my way of living in
face. I have been told not to expect to get a job
my culture. Raul brought with him a jarana, a small
that matches my qualifications for many years. It
guitar popular in music from Veracruz. So,
doesn’t make sense. I thought Canada was
music...and food are other ways we stay
welcoming to newcomers, but I realized it’s not
connected. I found the best book of Mexican
always like that. I applied for many posted jobs, as
recipes here in Victoria! It was a great find.
did my husband, and never heard back at all. So, in the beginning, I was working in a bakery, which was
FAVE ACTIVITY IN VICTORIA
fun because I like cakes and baking. When I left
Watching and listening to the seagulls. And the
that job, I really wanted to find something related
Canada geese. I love the sounds of the birds.
to literacy. I found a job posting for a literacy
The natural surroundings make me feel so
facilitator position with a group called the Greater
happy. We are very lucky. When you stop being
Victoria Alliance for Literacy (GVAL). When I read
surprised by it, you can take it for granted. We
the job description, I thought it was meant to be
have to let ourselves be surprised every day by
because it seemed like it had been written just for
what we have.
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SOFIA HERE IN VICTORIA
PATH TO VICTORIA We actually had originally decided on Vancouver and were planning to apply for student visas. I had found a very nice program at the University of British Columbia—a master’s in children’s literature—so I started to apply to the program. Then, I realized I really didn’t want to go back to school. One night I couldn’t sleep, so I was online looking for something for Raul to study. I found a furniture design program at Camosun College. Raul is very talented and creative. In Mexico, he designed special furniture for reading spaces. Camosun College was in a place called Victoria and I wondered where it was! I looked it up on the map, and there it was, not far from Vancouver. So, I woke Raul up and said, “Wake up. I’ve found the perfect program for you!” He was like, “Wait, now I’m studying and you’re not studying?” ON THE ISLAND In the beginning I was feeling claustrophobic. Trapped. You realize that there is nowhere to go— you always end up at the sea. That was really weird for me. Mexico City is a huge city and it’s crazy, and you can drive for hours and hours and never see water. The closest beach is four or five hours away. But now I love Victoria; I love seeing the sea. However, I do have to say that I’m a bit afraid of tsunamis. I know we are fine where our house is, but every time I come downtown, I always think: what should I do if there is a tsunami? EARTHQUAKE ZONES I have experienced earthquakes. Chiapas had a major earthquake in 2017. We were actually here in Victoria when the Chiapas earthquake happened. That was very hard because we were thinking about our friends, but also about the people most affected: the poorest people. It was a tragedy. In 1985, we had the biggest earthquake in Mexico City. Maybe 30,000 people or so died. I was very young. I was five. I have a clear memory of it. I remember my father going to rescue
people and help people. We were all fine, but he was helping others. That was a beautiful thing that happened in the city—people came together to help each other. Ten days after the 2017 Chiapas earthquake, on the actual anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, there was another earthquake in Mexico City. I called Raul and we met at h om e . W e star te d cr yi n g an d cryin g because w e w e re watch i n g th e n ews. Our fami li e s [i n M ex i co City] couldn’t see the n ews be cause t h ey h a d n o e l e ctr i ci ty. But w e w e re wat ch in g, an d th e n ews star te d to r e p o r t all t h e buildin gs t h at h ad co l l ap se d an d so m e w e re in n eigh bourh ood s w h e r e o ur f r i e n d s an d family members live. My brother-in-law couldn’ t call h i s pa r ents, b ut h e co uld cal l us, an d t h e n w e cal le d th em . Al so , m y si ste r ’s part n e r called me to t ry to r e ach m y si ste r. It was so we i rd. CANAD IAN “WIL D L IF E” My girls are paran oi d a bo ut co ugars. We h ave a dog. I kee p reass urin g m y yo un ge st, Pao l a— sh e’s always closin g t he do o rs. I th i n k sh e i s at the age when you get scared of almost eve r yt h i n g. Th e i r s ch o o l i s q ui te r ural , so th ey h ave h ad a couga r d ri ll . Actual ly, th ey h ad a lockdow n because of a cougar. When we read t h at email from t h e s ch o ol… HARDEST THING H ERE Maybe I just n e e d to h av e th i s f e e l i n g th at w e are fin an cially okay. If w e ar e str uggl i n g h e r e eve r y day to make e nd s m e et, th e n th e r e’s n o se n se . I will say t hat th is i de a th at eve r yth i n g i s so expe n sive an d un af fo rd abl e , i t i s tr ue , but eve r yo n e h e r e i s ov e r ly wo r r i e d abo ut m o n ey an d about h ow ex pe n siv e l i f e i s. But i t i s n ot much more expe n siv e t h a n i t i s i n Mex i co Ci ty, an d you h ave bette r wo rk i n g co n d i ti o n s h e r e , an d bett e r. . . many t h i ng s. I h ave th e f e e l i n g th at if w e focus on w h at w e d o h ave , i t wo uld be e asie r for all of us.
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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Ahma d
DANNY RAMADAN Words by FIONA BRAMBLE Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW
“
They say you are two different people in two different languages. Arabic-speaking Danny is more mischievous, less articulate, more secretive, self-preserving. Danny who speaks English is this out and proud extrovert, public speaker...
“
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OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
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OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN Standing behind the library podium reading from his 2017 multi-award winning debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, Ahmad Danny Ramadan commands the cozy space with his warm voice and mischievous eyes. It’s the beginning of summer 2018, and Danny, as he is now known, is still riding the high of having made the Canada Reads longlist, a significant achievement for any Canadian author. However, as of this day, Danny has only been in the country for just four years, and will not even become a Canadian citizen for another year. And this is his first novel. Quite an achievement indeed. The small crowd present for Danny’s reading seems an eclectic one: young-ish and older men, women, and genderqueer, readers and book tourists, gay folks and s t ra i g h t p e o p l e , t h e o d d p e rs o n c u r i o u s a b o u t refugees. Earlier in the day, Danny had stood behind another podium—at Victoria City Hall, next to the thenpresent Sir John. A. Macdonald statue—talking to a very different crowd about being both a refugee, and not a refugee. The day is June 20th, World Refugee Day. The idea of being and not being a refugee is obviously complicated for Danny. He shares that when he was in Lebanon after leaving a volatile Syria, he found it difficult to identify with the refugee community, and the way society built “the ‘refugee identity’ felt so foreign” to him. “Technically I was a refugee, but on my own terms. I saw myself as just an ex-pat,” says Danny. Danny confesses that when he registered with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Beirut in 2012, he looked down on the other refugees in the waiting room. He now admits that “the experience was undignified. And I was being classist. We were all victims of the same civil war and all victims of different forms of discrimination. Homophobia in my case, sectarianism in others, misogyny for some of those women. Forced military service. I was naïve and unaware that we were all in the same boat. I came to recognize my identity as a refugee after I stopped being a refugee, when I became a former refugee.”
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OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN Accepting and reconciling his refugee identity was not the end of Danny’s complicated relationship with the refugee label or Canada’s role in the global refugee crisis. Once in Canada, Danny automatically became a Permanent Resident, like the Syrians granted asylum in the government of Canada’s 2015–2016 Syrian refugee resettlement commitment. Danny was a refugee, but not anymore. He says it led him to question: what does it mean to be a refugee to begin with? With a chuckle, he adds, “God knows I was busy enough that I couldn’t sit down and explore—take a self-journey!” What kept Danny so busy? Not only was he a newcomer to Canada and an up-and-coming acclaimed new novelist, but also an L G BT Q 2 S + a c t i v i s t ( w h i c h h e w a s b o t h b e f o r e a n d a f t e r h e c a m e t o C a n a d a ) , a n d d i r e c t o ra t - l a r g e f o r b o t h t h e Va n c o u v e r P r i d e S o c i e t y a n d T h e R a i n b o w R a i l ro a d . After leaving Syria and Lebanon, Danny’s road back to activism was not straightforward; when he a r r i v e d i n Va n c o u v e r i n 2 0 1 4 , r e v i v i n g h i s involvement in activism was not part of his plan. “When I arrived, there was this hierarchy of needs. I needed to find a home for myself, to build a community. Things are so different here and require so much attention that you start to lose track of who you are. “For the first year, there was no activism whatsoever. I was focused on my primal needs; I would say my lizard brain took over and I just tried to find a way to be well. It wasn’t an easy year. I arrived with these beautiful, rose-coloured lenses of what it would be to come to Canada, and it was completely different from all of that. I had challenges understanding the culture; I had challenges communicating with the people. The energy of the people around me just didn’t click. The fiery activist energy just didn’t click with the cool, chill Vancouver vibe. So for a year, I just walked away and took care of myself, while also being tokenized, like: ‘Hey, you have to do an interview and talk about what it’s like to be a Sy r i a n r e f u g e e b e c a u s e i t ’ s t h e t r e n d n ow.’ People expected me to show up on CBC and say, ‘Omigod, being a refugee is the best thing ever. What a wonderful thing!’
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I think at first I didn’t really think about what I was saying, but I was in a place where I needed to say what I was feeling. I started criticizing and people started to be weirded out my me, like: ‘Why aren’t you happy; why aren’t you content to be here?’ But I had left everything behind. Everything.” When an opportunity came for Danny to have his own platform to share his story, he was scared at first. Despite having been a public speaker who was comfortable on stage, Danny says that he wo r r i e d p e o p l e wo u l d n’ t u n d e rs t a n d h i m o r , worse, “that nothing I said would matter.” But, in the end, it did matter, a great deal. Through this new outlet, Danny had become activist-storyteller. Danny’s sharp observations and desire to c h a l l e n g e a n i m p e r f e c t st at u s q u o n ot o n ly f u e l h i s a c t i v i s m , b ut a l s o m a k e i t i m p o s s i b l e fo r h i m to i g n o r e w h at h e s e e s a s a n i n co n g r u o u s r e a l i t y of r e f u g e e r e s ett l e m e nt i n C a n a d a , b e i t through the federal government’s Private S p o n s o r s h i p R e f u g e e ( P S R ) , o r G ov e r n m e n tAs s i st e d R e f u g e e ( G A R ) p ro g ra m s . Danny speaks frankly when reflecting on his and others’ experiences: “You can see it clearly in the newcomers and refugees who come here as families and who are burdened with the logistical needs of their families. They don’t have time to think about their emotional package, their PTSD, or the all the human rights v i o l a t i o n s t h e y w e n t t h ro u g h . T h e y e n d u p having so many struggles and are unable to participate in the community. We’re creating a system wherein those folks we are bringing in as refugees will remain dependent on the system because they are not being supported. We have given power to Canadian citizens to sponsor Syrian refugees from the good of their hearts, but we’re not giving them any training or asking about their motivations. Sponsors are privileged from a racial, financial, and educational p e r s p e c t i v e — a n e n d l e s s c o n f l i c t t h a t i s n ot being recognized in the PSR system. The sponsors and sponsees are not fighting the same battle. Neither understands the other’s position. There’s a difference between sympathy and empathy; sympathy leads to nothing more than those suffering seeing their situation in an even darker light.”
OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
An even darker light. This statement compels a
me having to repeat it all the time. They reminded me
question, to which Danny responds: “I was sponsored
that I was not their equal. They told me I could build a
by older, rich, white men. I faced a lot of challenges in
dream for myself here, but they did not actually allow
that group. I was one of the first gay Syrian refugees to
me to dream my own dreams.”
come to Canada. There was a lack of knowledge: What is, where is Syria? Let’s make Danny do it the Canadian
A quiet envelops the conversation. Danny’s is a lived
way. Cultural judgment, expectation of gratitude that
experience most will never have or truly understand.
was asked for in many different ways that I did not feel comfortable granting. One felt entitled to my space,
And yet, UNHCR’s latest report states: “An unprecedented
my personal space, my stories, to my decision-making
68.5 million people around the world have been
process. Deciding what kind of milk I liked.
forced from home. Among them are nearly 25.4 million refugees, over half of whom are under the
“There was no self-determination in the first six
age of 18. There are also an estimated 10 million
months. I was struggling quite a lot with my PTSD. I
stateless people who have been denied a
was reminded constantly that I was a refugee and that
nationality and access to basic rights such as
I was indebted. I started to challenge back. I am
education, healthcare, employment and freedom of
grateful for Canada and the government and
movement. Nearly one person is forcibly displaced
advocates of the PSR program, but I shouldn’t be
every two seconds as a result of conflict or
indebted to the sponsors personally. Me saying ‘thank
persecution.” The Syrian conflict “contribution” to
you’ should be the end of that conversation, without
date? 6.3 million refugees worldwide. HEREMAGAZINE.CA SPRING/SUMMER 2019
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OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN Danny, refugee no longer, is published author a n d a c t i v i s t , a n d n ow n ew l a b e l s — t h o s e o f belonging rather than otherness—have begun to weave themselves into his identity: fiancé, Canadian citizen. Late in July 2018, Danny proposed to his long-time partner Matthew (on stage, on bended knee, and in Syrian garb, in front of many). On January 31st of this year, Danny swore his Oath of Citizenship, surrounded by his “Canadian family,” fiancé, and friends, some of whom he had met years ago in Syria a n d L e b a n o n . G o i n g b y t h e Tw i t t e r h a n d l e @DannySeesIt, Danny tweeted this the day after the citizenship ceremony: “My people. My Canadian family. You brought tears to my eyes and you held my heart, aching to belong since the age of 14, and made me feel at home.” But feeling at home and finding belonging does not come without cost. He says that his renewed Canadian-based activism was not motivated by wanting to “raise rainbow flags in Damascus one day”, but because he was “feeling so guilty” that he had “made it” and so many of friends [in Syria and Lebanon] had not. Danny describes his apartment in English Bay overlooking the beach and sighs, “I just miss my people.” What Danny came to realize after that first difficult year was that his efforts to act “like a Canadian” were pushing aside his authentic self; he needed to re-embrace his Syrian identity. Naturally, he began to do this through storytelling, and then through the sharing of food and music. The marrying of Danny’s culture of origin to his adopted home eventually culminated in an annual event now named “An Evening in Damascus,” a celebration of Syrian c u lt u r e a n d a s i g n i f i c a nt f u n d ra i s e r to h e l p sponsor other asylum seekers to Canada. While Danny cannot bring back those he has lost— sometimes even the fundraising and sponsorship process come too late for those waiting—his efforts have helped bring at least 28 refugees to safe harbour in Canada. Danny freely admits that he feeds off the hope, the “glorious moment when somebody knows they are going to be able to come to Canada.” That makes his own experience, his “own difficult year, worthwhile.” Danny feels like he has forged a path and created safe and life-affirming space in Canada
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f o r q u e e r Sy r i a n s , a n d t h a t h e h a s f i n a l ly b u i l t t h a t p l a c e w h e r e h e c a n b e “ b o t h Sy r i a n a n d Canadian at the same time.” Yet, when s p e a k i n g a b o u t o n e Sy r i a n n ew to V i c to r i a B . C . , h e a c k n ow l e d g e s t h a t h i s ow n r e a l i t y wa s a n d i s d i f f e r e n t , a n d t h a t t h i s p e r s o n “ c a n’ t b e Sy r i a n a n d b e q u e e r i n a p l a c e l i k e V i c to r i a , o n ly q u e e r w i t h t h e C a n a d i a n s , o r Sy r i a n w i t h t h e ot h e r Sy r i a n s . ” Back at the library podium on the June evening in 2018, Danny is asked to read a specific passage from The Clothesline Swing. The few paragraphs give voice to another love story outside the prevailing narrative, an origin love that lies at the heart of Danny’s novel. Danny is caught off guard; it’s as if speaking these words out loud lays bare something sacred. Or perhaps he just doesn’t want to give too much away so that readers will still buy the darn book. Danny begins:
“My mother had the brilliant idea of planting seeds in the pillow of the clothesline sw ing, and they grew stronger w ith the w inter rain, She sat behind her w indow, sipping on her Turkish coffee, listening to Fairuz and watching the jasmine tree grow ing from the cotton pillow, climbing the clotheslines, until it created a fair y tale sw ing, beautifully braided between the jasmine f lowers and the clotheslines.” Ahmad Danny Ramadan, both broken and whole, still reconciling and weaving Syria and Canada, the refugee and the former refugee, the perceived and authentic self. His many intersectionalities sometimes fluid in the moment and for a purpose, climbing and blossoming organically like the jasmine entwined in the clothesline swing. Danny never planned this new life here in Canada, had never even imagined it necessary, but he has built something beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking. He is always hopeful for himself and many others. And now Danny is part of Canada’s story —and Canada’s glorious future, too. Danny’s call to action can be found in his dedication in The Clothesline Swing: “To the children of Damascus, This is what I did with my heartache...What about yours?”
OUT LOUD: AHMAD DANNY RAMADAN
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ANN-BERNICE THOMAS Words by ANN-BERNICE THOMAS Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW Art by KAYO MPOYI
Ann-Bernice, spoken word artist, actor, and filmmaker, was Victoria B.C.’s Youth Poet Laureate in 2016. They have been writing all of their life, but were pushed into spoken word poetry five years ago and haven’t stopped since. In their lively 22 years, they have lived in England, Jamaica, Ontario, and are now settled in Victoria, where they have found their voice and learned the importance of truth, compassion, building connections, and fostering community. Ann-Bernice uses their voice to rally change, social awareness, and share the stories that are rarely, but ready to be told. Ann-Bernice was offered an incredible chance to go to a week-long residency in Jamaica with D’bi Young in April 2019. D’bi is an African-Jamaican multidisciplinary performance artist whose art engages complex dialogues on race, class, sexual orientation, gender, ability and the overlapping intersections of our humanity. With their time at the Yemoya residency in Jamaica, they hope to continue work on their play “How to Tame a Dog // The Intention of Teeth,” which they work-shopped as a part of Intrepid Theatre’s YOUShow in March 2019. It is a surreal/ expressionist movement-based piece that explores the intersections of gender identity, the traumas carried through the diasporic black family, and the ways we finally call ourselves into being.
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OUT LOUD: ANN-BERNICE THOMAS
WILD WOMAN I would consider myself a wild woman, a loud woman, a breaking sound barriers to scream through clouds, woman, my father said, I am more thunder than lightening. More calculating than frightening, slow burn rumble to cloud burst shattering, I have been told that I am intimidating. Been shown that I am intimidating. Seen more backs fleeing from me in desperate self-preservation acts of mercy I look like I eat men. I do eat men. Well I would if given the chance but survival follows them like clouds waiting to boom open I am spread open rarely. That’s a wild woman thing see, looking so tasty, but sharing myself seldom, I have molluscs for skin and My spine will never forgive me, But thunder clouds won’t burst until wild woman is free see, my grandmother told my mother, “Be careful with your daughter. “She will do whatever she wants to no matter what you say” so wild woman knows fear of being uncontrollable. Whip lash chains burning feet in place scorching so sweet she searched for wisdom hunted for peace strove forward and learned that fear is an accident. But staying afraid is a choice that rears its ugly heads so wild woman tamed that beast and old woman’s too. And old woman lowered her leash just enough for wild woman to learn how to touch her toes. She’s always wanted to learn how to do the splits.
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But wild woman does not have time for this, because wild woman is finally on the prowl, and wild woman learned how to pick her battles but it doesn’t mean she’s very good at it so howls follow her charred footsteps now. Follow my charred footsteps now I sometimes wish I didn’t tread so lightly, walk so carefully I want to feel my weight in my feet in my heels and toes and rock in the wind, root myself in the soil in the places I’m supposed to be but wild woman is wandering. Is hungry. 19 years of starving and fighting lightening old woman turns child into mother quickly, searching for the next meal to over fill her belly wild woman wants to be full of herself rightly. justly. insatiable she is waiting for you to stop running so she can be full of you, men wild woman was born taking up space. And stopped apologizing for it when wild turned from noun to verb and she learned that actions speak louder than words so she turned her head to the heavens and HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLED. I am hungry. I am so hungry. And their clouds, finally burst storm clouds to scorched earth, rumbling platitudes she can taste on her gums. But they are empty. So wild woman hunts. Because she is free. She is starving. And there is nothing that can stop her now.
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OVERCOMING HATE Navigating Islamophobia in Canada Words by AVIGAIL OLARTE Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW
The Muslim community gathers to counter Islamophobia. In 2017, hate crimes targeting Muslims grew by 151 percent in Canada.
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COMMUNITY
“
“
That right to claim belonging beyond a narrow definition of legal citizenship has been challenged based on who you are, how you look, how you dress, where you come from…
—Dr. Zaheera Jinnah
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COMMUNITY On the carpeted floor, rows and rows of women
Acting on these aggressions—as well as many micro-
wearing hijabs kneel for the Friday afternoon
aggressions —is one of the top challenges facing
prayer, their heads bowed down low. In that
Muslims in Canada, says Asiyah, because when these
moment of silence, they worship Allah in humility,
aggressions happen on a regular basis, people feel
reflecting on their life and mortality.
less of a need to report them to authorities.
Just weeks before, the Islamic community in
What is Islamophobia?
Victoria had gone through shock and grief over the massacre in Christchurch, where a man single-
The Canadian Review of Sociology defines
handedly shot and killed 50 people in mosques and
Islamophobia as “the dread, hatred and hostility
live-streamed it on Facebook. The incident is the
towards Islam and Muslims perpetrated by a series of
s i n g l e , d e a d l i e s t a t t a c k o n M u s l i m s i n N ew
closed views that imply and attribute negative and
Zealand’s recent history, stoking fears of racism and
derogatory stereotypes and beliefs to Muslims.”
right-wing extremism. Seeing Muslims as separate or “the other” perpetuates “It could have been any of us,” says Asiyah
negative stereotypes, stemming from the view that
Robinson, president of the University of Victoria
Islam is a violent religion and that Muslims are
Muslim Students’ Association. In the aftermath of
religious fanatics promoting a political ideology.
the terror attack, Asiyah and her friends organized events to understand and counter
For Zaheera Jinnah, an author and academic in
Islamophobia in Canada.
Migration and Refugee studies, the process of “othering” is fueled by nationalist, racist, and anti-
“As soon as news broke about New Zealand, there
immigrant sentiments, so ingrained that the
was a lot of worry and uncertainty within the Muslim
mainstreaming of hate has become routine. “It’s
community. People wanted a venue where they
important to ask: Who belongs? How do we protect the
could discuss worries,” says Sheikh Ismail Nur, the
rights of those whose right to belong is questioned?”
Imam of Masjid Al-Iman in Victoria, during a
she says. She adds that subtle forms of discrimination
discussion-forum of more than 80 people at Victoria
—for example, something as indistinct as giving a
City Hall in March.
Muslim a judgmental look—are commonplace in Canada. “That right to claim belonging beyond a
The Muslim community recognizes the fact that
narrow definition of legal citizenship has been
hate crimes targeting Muslims grew by 151 percent
challenged based on who you are, how you look, how
in 2017, according to Statistics Canada. Hate crimes
you dress, where you come from.”
can come in the form of expressing hatred, hostile racial slights or insults towards Muslims; they can
These acts of racism happen everyday in Canada, even
also turn violent, involving threats, harassment,
if it has been a signatory to the United Nations
assault, and worse—murder.
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination since 1970. Canadian
Days after the Christchurch attack, the National
law also prohibits employers from discriminating
Council of Canadian Muslims recorded at least
based on religious affiliation or race. The 2019 report
seven incidents of aggression toward the
of the Canadian Labour Congress, “Islamophobia at
community, including a threatening note in the
Work: Challenges and Opportunities,” states that
mailbox of a mosque in Quebec, not far from the
vilifying Muslims—especially because of negative
site of the shooting in 2017 where six Muslim men
media portrayals—has eroded values and identity,
were killed praying. The letter stated: “Do not talk,
stripping Muslims of rights and privileges in
do not criticize, keep praying until you die!”
workplaces and everyday life.
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COMMUNITY
Faiza Rezgui wants to remind the community that Islam is for peace, and all about fostering love.
For Dr. Zaheera Jinnah, an evidence-based intervention is needed to help stem acts of racism.
Sheikh Ismail Nur of the Masjid Al-Iman in Victoria, B.C. seeks to foster unity among Muslims and nonMuslims in the city.
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COMMUNITY
against war, it does not mean you are for 9/11,” s h e s h a r e s . “ T h e y ex c l u d e d m e , a n d I w a s excluded from many other groups at UBC because of that incident.” Since then, she takes careful measures when speaking up. “Maybe people hate Muslims b e c a u s e o f w h a t ’ s h a p p e n i n g i n t h e wo r l d . Muslims in the West don’t talk freely. You cannot just speak up and say this should not happen. We have those internal barriers.” Rezgui hopes for the day she can freely communicate her ideas and feelings, as she represents a Muslim population in Canada that is mostly composed of immigrants. Navigating a layered identity Studies show people identifying as Muslims in Canada are most likely to be a person of colour, and a member of a racialized group. They are mostly Black or have South Asian, or Arab/West Asian heritage, and this is why Islamophobia should also be seen as an intersection of religion, cultural, racial and even gender. ‘The night that changed my life’
“Many Muslims in the West are from racial and ethnic minorities...speak different languages and
Faiza Rezgui, a resident in Victoria, remembers the day
have diverse countries of origin and ancestry,” says
she suffered the worst form of exclusion, all because of
Zaheera Jinnah. “And because of these multiple
single photograph of her published by a newspaper in
identities that Muslims hold, they may face multiple
Vancouver in 2001, after the September 11 attacks.
forms of discrimination, exclusion, and violence.”
The photo had been taken when she joined a group of
To address this problem, she proposes a collection
protesters rejecting the war in Afghanistan; the media
of accurate data on Islamophobia to craft an
never asked for permission, nor talked to her about why
evidence-based intervention. “The gathering at
she was at the protest. Upon seeing the image, three of
Victoria City Hall was designed towards crafting
her closest, non-Muslim friends at the University of British
policies that could make this step a reality, along
Columbia (UBC) told her to stay away. “That incident
with engaging schools and educating children
affected my whole life; until now I still feel it. If you are
about what Islam as a religion stands for.”
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COMMUNITY
“We want a very constructive discussion on how to
Support like this makes Asiyah more hopeful, knowing
move forward as a community,” adds Sheikh Ismail Nur.
that people are standing behind her community and
He says his experience as a Muslim in Victoria—where
that discussions addressing Islamophobia will continue.
there are some 5,000 members of the community—has
She still mourns for those who died in New Zealand,
generally been positive, but this does not mean
but these days she feels more empowered to act and
Islamophobia does not exist.
cry against injustice.
Sheryl Dunn, a Canadian and an atheist, is among
On that Friday afternoon in early April, as she went to
those who consistently joins the unity circle around
the mosque to pray, wearing her black jeans and
the mosque on Quadra St., so Muslims in Victoria
leather jacket, Asiyah whispered prayers for herself and
could worship in safety. “I’m 71 and I told myself, I’ve
for her community.
got to do something to counter all this hate,” she shares. “The first time I came, I was overcome with
“I’m only 22, I’ve only just become fully aware of what’s
how grateful they were to see the support. It brought
going on but also what I can do and my place in it,” she
tears to my eyes.”
says. “I still have a lot of that fighting spirit.”
As Muslim youth, Asiyah Robinson (right) and Rawan Mirghani (left) are actively creating spaces for dialogue in Victoria.
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IN OUR FOOTSTEPS An Onion Theatre Project Words by JASMINDRA JAWANDA and TAIWO AFOLABI Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW
“
Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it. Theatre is the art of looking at ourselves.
“
—Augusto Baol
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OUT LOUD: THE ONION THEATRE PROJECT
Performance by AZIZA MOQIA SEALEY-QAYLOW, EMILY THIESSEN, HANNAH BELL, JASMINE LI, LEAH TIDEY, LUIS MARIO GUERRA VELIZ, SARI ALESH, SERENA MARTIN, SYLVIA ANATTA, TAIWO AFOLABI, TIANXU ZHAO (2018)
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OUT LOUD: THE ONION THEATRE PROJECT
I have always been awed and inspired by the
This project also values a unique, intersectional
t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l p o w e r o f t h e a t r e . A s t ro n g
approach to community building and engagement by
performance can leave imprints on one’s mind, heart,
motivating non-profit organizations, local
and spirit for a long, long time, leaving us to further
government, and the academic sector to work with
discover and peel away our own layers of courage,
our young people to provide them with supportive
truth, and compassion.
platforms to speak their truths and to create p a t h w ay s o f c u l t u r a l c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h t h e
T h ro u g h m y wo r k w i t h yo u t h o n c o m m u n i t y
community at large, our audience.
development projects, I have utilized and embraced the creative arts as platforms of powerful change, at
While working as the Youth Program Coordinator at
both individual and community levels. In essence, I
the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, I
share with young people that life is like an onion: the
felt it was important to continue the legacy of the
more layers you peel, the more you unravel about
Enable Theatre Project, a highly successful past
yourself, leaving you with tears of sorrow and joy, and
project that involved immigrant and refugee youth
ultimately with more knowledge about who you are
telling their stories through the medium of theatre. I
and who you want to be in this world. This lesson
envisioned a community play that would initially be
inspired the name for The Onion Theatre Project,
created to recognize, celebrate, and honour United
which is one way for young immigrants, refugees, and
Nations World Refugee Day, June 20th, a global
settlers to unpeel, unravel, and unpack their layers
event. Taiwo Afolabi—a director with his own theatre
and stories of migration, immigration, and settlement.
company here and in Nigeria, and a Ph.D. student
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OUT LOUD: THE ONION THEATRE PROJECT
Audience member at Victoria City Hall
in Applied Theatre at the University of Victoria—and I
important to me. ‘In Our Footsteps,’ which is the title
decided to collaborate on a youth theatre project that
of the stage performance that has been running for
would be performed on World Refugee Day, 2017. I
the past two years, is rooted in community practice.”
would be responsible for the community planning, and
Our first play entitled ‘In the Footsteps of Our
Taiwo would lead the artistic planning.
Immigrants: Walking the Journeys of Arriving, Belonging, and Becoming’ was performed inside the
Our shared vision was to enable, enthuse, and
council chambers of Victoria City Hall on UN World
empower
Refugee Day, 2017.
young refugees and newcomers to peel
back the complex and often-hidden layers of their identities, stories, and journeys through the creative
The following year, the play reached greater
arts platform of community theatre. As director of these
audiences and was performed in more venues,
plays, Taiwo stated and emphasized his interest in and
including Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Claremont
commitment to “community building and using theatre
Secondary School, and the University of Victoria. What
to create safe and positive spaces for courageous
makes these plays unique is that they are created,
conversations. Our process is using the people that are
written, performed and directed by incredible young
here and creating for all of our voices to be heard in
people who show their vulnerabilities, courage, and
unique and different ways. We provide space to
resilience by critically and compassionately exploring
critically and creatively explore these diverse topics
their footsteps and paths in their settlement journeys,
and what they mean to us. Thus, facilitating an
f ro m t h e i r a n c e st ra l h o m e l a n d s to t h e i r n ew
atmosphere to support and mentor immigrant youth [is]
communities in Canada, and everything in between.
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These plays have also left deep emotional and critical-thinking imprints on our audience members; some of them have spoken, through their tears and words, of how the play has changed their lives in a significant way, and how they gained a more p ro fo u n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e b a r r i e r s a n d challenges that refugees and newcomers face. They told us how these plays have helped them look within to check their own privilege—and, with cultural sensitivity, support others who are embracing Canada as their new home, particularly the youth. Youth—especially immigrant, refugee and newcomer youth—are often considered the “voices of the voiceless.” They are the forgotten ones standing on the margins of society, wanting to fit into the centre of Canadian culture, but because of the many barriers and challenges they face, they struggle for many reasons to integrate into their new communities. The ongoing vision of The Onion Theatre Project is to continue to enable, engage, and empower these youth to peel back their own layers of identity, and to rise up with their individual and collective voices ringing ‘out loud’ and clear for all of us to hear. To peel or not to peel? That indeed is the question!
Note: The Onion Theatre Project is pleased to announce that it is performing again on UN World Refugee Day, June 20, 2019. The 2017 original play involved the following actors from a myriad of cultural and ethnic backgrounds,: Annie Konstantinova, Jasmine Li, Megan Chandler, Olivia Wheeler, Samer Alkhateb, Taiwo Afolabi, Thiptawan Uchai, Tianxu Zhao, and Victoria Stark. The original play received support from the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society and in-kind contributions from the University of Victoria Fine Arts Department and Theatre Department, and MediaNet. In 2018, The Onion Theatre Project continued with the financial support of a B.C. Arts Council grant, and funding from the District of Saanich and the Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group.
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I had the privilege to facilitate and direct the project, and participants co-created the performance. The project started with a series of workshops facilitated by team members and external resources. Since its inception in 2017, I have worked with over twenty youths in the community. We have performed over eight times in different places, and over 400 persons have seen the performance. The success of the project is beyond the performance and the size of the audience, it is in the community we have built, the support we have received and given, and the connection we have built through empathy. —Taiwo Afolabi
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ART FINDS A WAY Having emigrated from Croatia fifteen years ago and a desig ner herself, JAKELINA LISTES connects with other immigrant women about their art and the challenge of finding belonging in a n e w c o m m u n i t y. F r a n ç o i s e’s Mediterranean Connection is the second in a series.
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BELONGING
Listening to Françoise talking about her life, I felt like I
learning about and from them. At times, she would
was hearing some of my own memories, and was
even sleep out in the open all alone. To do that now
instantly taken back to a different time and place.
seems like a brave and crazy thing. I listened in
Françoise grew up in one of the most fascinating
admiration, and then we laughed. We both
places in the world, a magical Mediterranean region full
acknowledged that only young people with very few
of history—and a very specific beauty that stays with
fears can feel so free.
you no matter where you go. Françoise’s life I pictured as a map with many dots connected, marking her many
After her African adventure, Françoise returned to
travels and profound life changes.
London, England, and enrolled in university to study environmental protection. That is where she met her
Françoise was born in France, into a mixed French-
future husband, David, who was working on his
English family, and was blessed to live in places such
master’s degree. However, just as they were
as the island of Corsica, where her family moved when
beginning to believe that England would be where
she was 14 years old. After she finished high school,
they would settle permanently, a company from
Françoise decided to go to England so that she could
Saskatchewan offered a job to David. He accepted the
connect to her English side of the family. She ended up
position, and Françoise was on the move again, this
working as an au pair, teaching English.
time to Canada.
A few years later, Françoise made an even bolder move
Françoise’s telling of her experience moving to
and left for an exploratory trip to Africa. She had always
Canada and starting a new life in a new country
had a fascination with the wild and unexplored parts of
reminded me of so many other women who came
the African content, and wanted to taste the freedom
here as trailing spouses. Françoise described it as a
that only an experience like hitchhiking on her own
“huge change,” and admitted that it took her almost
through a foreign land could offer. She says she
five years to adjust. In that period, she experienced
wanted to meet the ‘Bushman’ people and experience
the usual challenges many immigrants struggle
their way of life, the simplicity and the hardship. It was
through: homesickness, a lack of friends, a sense of
set to be the ultimate adventure for a young twenty-
isolation, and depression.
something, white, European girl. Françoise spent several months in East Africa, with minimal luggage, an
Throughout that adjustment period, Françoise needed
open mind, and a desire to explore.
a coping mechanism, so she started to explore her creativity and channeled her experience and emotions
I asked Françoise why she had not been scared to
to artistic expression. Françoise had always been
travel alone and she explained that, in the 70’s, many
artistic. She loved to draw and paint, so when her
parts of Africa were safe for a young woman to travel
children were still small, she started to take art
alone. She never had a bad experience; on the
classes to give herself something to do, and to meet
contrary, she was mostly welcomed and taken care of.
other people. Encouraged by an inspiring instructor,
Even without the knowledge of the language, customs,
Françoise was motivated to give art her full-time
or the way of life, Françoise managed to stay with her
attention and she decided to go back to school, this
hosts for weeks at the time, working with them and
time to study fine arts.
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BELONGING
Françoise ended up back in Europe for several years,
the people. It reinvigorated her love for and
where she continued to grow as an artist. Eventually,
fascination with the Mediterranean landscapes, the
she became successful in selling her art, and was able
colours, vibrancy, and the sun-filled, laid-back
to sustain herself and her work. Once back in France,
lifestyle so typical of southern Europe. Françoise
Françoise was happy. She loved everything there; after
transfers and transforms all of that beauty to
all, it was her home. Although France was intended to
canvas, using the Mediterranean as her constant
be a retirement destination for the couple, David, in his
inspiration. She describes her style as contemporary
retirement, was less happy, finding that he needed to
and free, using mixed media with a focus on the
b e b u s y. H o w e v e r , h e s e e m e d t o h a v e f e w
gardens, flowers, and colours of a typical
opportunities to meaningfully engage or volunteer. So,
Mediterranean small town.
eventually, they decided to make a compromise and left France for a more “neutral” territory, and returned
Living in Sidney, Françoise has discovered many
to Canada, this time to Sidney, B.C., where they have
similarities between Vancouver Island and the South
lived for the last three years.
of France. For Françoise, life on the island is full of new experiences, which lend her new inspirations to
Françoise’s time in southern France, before their
incorporate into her current work. Her paintings detail
recent return to Canada, brought back all her
the intricate connections between worlds and
wonderful childhood memories, as well as helped
cultures—past and present—and tell of her journey
reforge her connections to the land, the culture, and
through life and time.
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BELONGING
LEARN MORE Web: art-by-francoise.com Instagram: /francoise.dunstan_art
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VIVA! VICTORIA LATIN FEST Uniting the Latin Community, Poquito A Poquito Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW Words by J. MOISES DEL OLMO
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CELEBRATION
Performers and food vendors at ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest 2018 included Zumba United, Salsa Moderna, Fiesta Latina Folklore Dancers, Michael Romance, Cerbeus, Grupo Raices, Pablo Cardenas, Wasakaka All Stars, Tortilla Mexicana, Puerto Vallarta Amigos, Gloria's Kitchen, Pepe Frito, Pupusas SalvadoreĂąas, and Crispy Churros. These performers and food vendors, as well as new performing artists, are returning for ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest 2019 on Saturday, August 3rd from 12-5 pm in Centennial Square, Victoria B.C.
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CELEBRATION
ORGANIZER J. MOISES DEL OLMO Learn more about ViVA! Victoria Latin Fest at: facebook.com/pachangalatina
V i for Victoria, Va for Vancouver Island: ViVa! ViVa!
time, I felt ready to move forward with the idea. Thanks
Victoria Latin Fest became Victoria, B.C’s first-ever
to the support of my family and the City of Victoria,
Latin festival in the summer of 2018. With over 2,500
whose staff help guide me through the whole process,
people attending, the inaugural ViVa! Victoria Latin
ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest was born.
Fest was a great success. I love organizing events, and I like the challenges that My name is J. Moises Del Olmo and I am the founder of
come with the experience. I have been here for almost
ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest. I am from Mexico City and
twenty years and the Latin community has grown so
have been living in Victoria B.C. since 2000. I am
much since I arrived. Victoria is home to Cubans,
married with two beautiful children, Isabella and Biagio.
Mexicans, Colombians, Hondurans, Salvadorans,
I came to Victoria for the first time to follow the love of
Brazilians, Venezuelans, Chileans, Argentinians, and
my life, Micol Scigliano. That is how my adventure
others. I believe there is a great necessity for Latin
began in Canada.
events, where we can go and relive our happy memories of when we danced and celebrated with our
The festival idea started because I have being hosting
families and friends back home.
Latin events in Victoria for the past fifteen years. In the last five years, I have also hosted “Latin Sundays” at
What lies at the heart of ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest is not
Centennial Square. People were always asking me to
only showcasing the Latino culture and the flavours and
organize a Latin festival. In the beginning, I hesitated
sounds of each Latin American country, but also uniting
with the idea because I know it is not easy; putting on
our Latin community in Victoria, poquito a poquito (little
an event of this scale takes a lot of work. However, in
by little). Together we can make magic happen.
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TO CANADA, WITH LOVE Citizenship Realized Words by DANIELA PINTO Photography by JOHN-EVAN SNOW
Daniela dos Santos Pinto and her two sons took their Oath of Citizenship on February 22, 2019. Daniela and youngest son, Joao pictured here.
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Many friends have asked me how I felt after my
connected to and called home. It required courage to
citizenship ceremony. In summary, I literally feel I am
restart a new life from scratch in a cold and strange
born again. Now as Canadian citizen—holding that
place that speaks two different languages (First
piece of paper, my citizenship certificate—was the
Nations’ languages were not even on my radar at that
accomplishment of a life goal that started over a
time). It required courage to become a single mom of
decade ago. It truly had a special meaning to me.
two young men, in a new country, without any family support, while attending graduate studies. It was simply
For no apparent reason, I was absolutely nervous that
too much. As well, the successful professional I was in
day. Deep down in my heart, I knew what that
Brazil had to adapt to a completely new lifestyle. Reality
ceremony represented for Canada, for me, and
hit hard during the first semester of classes—doing
especially for my kids.
class assignments, teaching assistant jobs, grading other students’ assignments, keeping up with
Ten years ago, I was a consultant for the Canadian
challenging academic readings and academic writing. I
Embassy in Brasilia, the Brazilian capital city. I was the
also had to learn how to cook, how to manage and keep
Canada Fund Coordinator and represented Canada many
the house clean. It also meant no more weekly mani-
times in my birth country. I was proud of my job. I spent
pedi, and to be a full-time mom.To feel lonely, be lonely,
years supporting the former Canadian International
be comfortable with being lonely. I am sure I am not the
Development Agency mission in Brazil, selecting
only one who felt that in the first term of classes. Maybe
community projects that merited support. I saw libraries
you, reader, also did.
and computer labs in shantytowns transformed; I saw people with disabilities accessing better medical
A new culture, a new home
services; I saw human rights advocacy organisations having better resources to conduct their work.
Still, looking back, I was fortunate to begin my journey in Canada on-campus. Going back to the academia,
My daily work had a meaning and fulfilled my heart. I also
particularly in a multicultural environment, exposed me
had the pleasure to work with amazing coworkers, both
to diverse viewpoints that led to rich and thoughtful
Brazilians and Canadians. I felt sincerely welcomed by
discussion of a myriad of global issues. I shared exciting
the team since my first day of work. Years later, many
philosophical discussions, and co-created a collective
became close friends.
decision-making strategic plan. I learned how to share knowledge through storytelling of lived experiences, and
The decision to apply for permanent residency came
how to welcome others to share their stories too, their
naturally. One day, out of curiosity, I attended an
different perspectives and ideas about the world around
information session about immigration to Canada in
us. The collective learning taught me the power of
Brasilia. At that moment, I realised it was the right
multicultural communities.
opportunity at the right moment for my little family. My goal was to raise my two sons in Canada, embedded in
I had to learn to be aware of how my culture affects my
the values that I cherish dearly.
behaviour and reaction to those around me. I was naturally curious about the “Canadian way of life” and
My journey to the Canadian citizenship was far from
took advantage of every single opportunity to explore
easy. It was full of challenges and adventures that made
this beautiful land, its cultures and traditions. It took
me grow as an individual, as a community member, and
time and many down moments for five years to start
as a global citizen.
understanding that my personal, cultural, and social biases and preferences were forged within the
Moving required courage to decide to leave behind my
Brazilian culture. Paradoxically, I was my culture, and I
family and my friends, my cats and dogs, the place I felt
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I also learned how powerful is to embrace our own vulnerabilities by sharing my personal struggles, on stage, for hundreds of strangers. Many came to me and offered their support right away. People in my new chosen community truly enjoy helping each other (and I would risk assuming it is a value shared across Canada). It is one example of the Canadian values that I cherish, and wanted my kids to grow embedded within it. As well, I learned that friendship, despite the country of origin, starts with a wide smile. Being open to new stories, different experiences, tastes, festivals, dances allows you to experience the world without traveling abroad. This is another example of the Canadian culture that I treasure: multiculturalism. Hugs are my most sincere contribution to my community and I know they made a difference for few friends in the past. Each hug I receive makes me a better, happier and healthier person. Unfortunately, there is no indicator to measure that. At this point of my journey, the decision to apply for Canadian citizenship came naturally. Again, out of curiosity, I attended a dinner discussion about citizenship in Victoria. I realised it was the right step to do for my little family. So on February 22nd of 2019, under a snow shower, I became a Canadian citizen. Trust me, it was not an easy journey. Resilience is the skill I have exercised the most Canada. I choose to remember the lessons, not the struggles. All memories, emotions, lessons, laughs, and hugs of the last decade were in my heart during the citizenship ceremony. On that special day, I was feeling nervous and excited, happy and sad, curious and hopeful, complete and refreshed, all at the same time. Above all those feelings was an enormous sense of gratitude to all and each one of you who are part of my Canadian family and have welcomed me and my two young men to this land with so much love.
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NEW VOICES
HERE IN CANADA Who would have thought I’d miss...? by Kareece Whittle-Brown
Bags packed, goodbyes whispered, and I was
I find it peculiar that so many of the things I
on my way to start life in a new city. A strange
used to consider a nuisance are now making
new world with unfamiliar sights, people, and
me reminisce and long for home. It’s quite
culture awaited me. The excitement was
funny to miss my neighbour inviting herself
unbearable and the dream of a new beginning
over to my house almost every Sunday
that had been playing over and over in my
afternoon to chit-chat, or my mom cooking
head was finally becoming a reality.
pumpkin beef soup for dinner on a Saturday, whether or not anyone wanted it. Or passersby
The excitement of life lies in the winds of
sharing fruits like mangoes, apples, or guineps
change. I now have to remember to layer up
(Spanish lime) because they had too much,
before leaving the house. And to keep a tissue
and me wondering how on earth I was going to
close by for when my allergies set in and my
get rid of them. Or even, the sweltering heat of
nose feels like it’s about to fall off. Not using
the tropical sunshine that made air
my vehicle horn to say “thank you” in traffic is
conditioning mandatory and the constant
new to me, as is calling ahead to visit my
prayer for a gentle breeze.
neighbours to make sure it’s okay to stop by. Exploring new horizons along life’s journey is the
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I was born in the Caribbean, where being
time to create new friendships and traditions.
fifteen minutes late is fashionable or stopping
Home for me included being surrounded by a
by without an appointment to say “hello”
structure of interconnectedness and support. My
means that you care. Ninety-degree weather
moving away threw this network off balance, but
all year long and partying until the sun came
has also allowed me to build new support
up were my benchmarks of normal, and my
structures of familiarity and comfort in the place
concepts of home.
I now call home.
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LANGUAGE
SAUDADE [Not found in English] by Lara Costa, Communications Specialist
It is interesting to have the word saudade missing in the English language because “missing” is basically what it means. However, “missing” is not the definition of, nor does it express the full meaning of saudade in Portuguese. Nostalgia in English comes close to explaining saudade, and is—funny enough—spelled the same way as our Portuguese equivalent. Still, it is not the same thing. Saudade is a feeling, a state of mind. It is deeper than “I miss you.” It is more special and meaningful when someone feels saudade for you because it shows that you are really important to them. When you love your partner, you feel love. When hate politics, you feel hate or anger. When you miss your best friend, you feel…saudade. Homesick is the closest term I have found to explain the depth of saudade, because it represents the feeling of missing home—saudade for home. But what happens when you miss your dog specifically? Or your favourite sandwich? Dogsick? Sandwichsick? Among all the things I really miss from Brazil, I really feel saudade for the loss of this word when expressing myself in English.
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Newcomer Support Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees by Adrienne Carter, VICCIR Since 2015, the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR) has provided counselling and mental health services to promote the well-being of refugees and immigrants, assist them on their healing journey and with their integration into our multicultural communities. VICCIR is a place where immigrants and refugees can express themselves ‘out loud’ in a safe and supportive environment. A VICCIR co-founder, I was well acquainted with mental health interventions in areas of mass violence and natural disasters. Having worked for several years with Médecins Sans Frontières and the Centre for Victims of Torture in Jordan as psychotherapist/trainer, I provided supervision and training to local counsellors who, in turn provided individual and group counselling to thousands of traumatized Syrian and Iraqi refugees. VICCIR offers ongoing counselling to refugees and immigrants of all ages and genders, to individuals, couples and whole families. Often various family members are seen simultaneously by a team of two or more counsellors and interpreters. One may see the children, another, the parents, and at times, the whole family comes together for family or art therapy. This is a unique model for working with families which is showing very positive results. To date, clients have come from 22 different countries, most frequently from Syria, Iran, China and Colombia. The Victoria office serves Greater Victoria, including the Western Communities, Sooke, and others. Clients have also travelled to Victoria from Duncan and Nanaimo. Most clients are referred by settlement agencies, sponsorship groups, schools and medical practitioners;
however, as VICCIR’s work becomes more well known in the community, there are an increasing number of self-referrals as well as current clients referring family members or friends. VICCIR is the only provider of psychological assistance to immigrants and refugees on Vancouver Island who suffer from the effects of trauma to the extent that daily living is compromised. Any immigrant or refugee who is able to access our centre is eligible for service from an experienced registered clinical counsellor who has received additional training in intercultural trauma treatment. VICCIR has a roster of trained interpreters who speak more than six languages and are available when the client does not speak English. The same interpreter stays with the client(s) and counsellor throughout the treatment. VICCIR counsellors are trained in various modalities and offer a combination of modalities whenever needed. In addition to talking therapies, VICCIR offers holistic mind-body therapies, Eye M ov e m e n t D e s e n s i t i z a t i o n a n d R e p ro c e s s i n g (EMDR), and family and couples’ therapy. Several VICCIR counsellors speak different languages and are often able to offer counselling directly in the clients’ own language. I n a d d i t i o n to p rov i d i n g s e r v i c e s d i r e c t ly to immigrants and refugees, VICCIR also offers training and consultation to settlement workers, community counsellors, teachers, interpreters, private sponsorship groups and others working with immigrants and refugees.
LEARN MORE Find contact details and ways to support VICCIR’s important work at viccir.org
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