Research Library

South Asian immigrant youth (SAIY) confront challenges like racial discrimination, stigma, and acculturative stress due to their marginalised identities. Limited research exists on the barriers they face adjusting to Canadian life. Our findings underscore the varied experiences of SAIY in Edmonton, Alberta, highlighting the need for better accessibility to social and healthcare services. South Asian immigrant youth (SAIY) confront challenges like racial discrimination, stigma, and acculturative stress due to their marginalised identities. Limited research exists on the barriers they face adjusting to Canadian life. Our findings underscore the varied experiences of SAIY in Edmonton, Alberta, highlighting the need for better accessibility to social and healthcare services.
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This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement. This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article summarizes our experience conducting a community-based participatory evaluation (CBPE), engaging community stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating a community garden for immigrants. This approach may catalyse sustainable community action with immigrant communities. This article summarizes our experience conducting a community-based participatory evaluation (CBPE), engaging community stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating a community garden for immigrants. This approach may catalyse sustainable community action with immigrant communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This paper explores how government members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly (MLAs) “constructed” migrant work and migrant workers in legislature and media statements between 2000 and 2011. Government MLAs asserted that migrant work (1) was economically necessary and (2) posed no threat to Canadian workers. Government MLAs also asserted that international migrant workers (3) had questionable occupational, linguistic or cultural skills and (4) caused negative social and economic impacts in Canada. Taken individually, these narratives appear contradictory, casting migrant work as good but migrant workers as bad. Viewed together, these narratives comprise an effort to dehumanize temporary and permanent international migrant workers. This (sometimes racialized) “othering” of migrant workers justifies migrant workers’ partial citizenship and suppresses criticism of their poor treatment. This paper explores how government members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly (MLAs) “constructed” migrant work and migrant workers in legislature and media statements between 2000 and 2011. Government MLAs asserted that migrant work (1) was economically necessary and (2) posed no threat to Canadian workers. Government MLAs also asserted that international migrant workers (3) had questionable occupational, linguistic or cultural skills and (4) caused negative social and economic impacts in Canada. Taken individually, these narratives appear contradictory, casting migrant work as good but migrant workers as bad. Viewed together, these narratives comprise an effort to dehumanize temporary and permanent international migrant workers. This (sometimes racialized) “othering” of migrant workers justifies migrant workers’ partial citizenship and suppresses criticism of their poor treatment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This is a study into the early resettlement experiences of Syrian refugees across Alberta. The study explored three broad areas – employment, language and social connections. The majority of participants in the survey sample were either working in part-time jobs, students or looking for work. Employment was a key challenge for these refugees. Their skills and experience did not match job opportunities or their lack of English language skills posed as a critical barrier. The study also found that refugees were making friends and building ties, however these were still nebulous and largely transactional in nature. Male participants were more likely than women to participate in social, cultural and educational activities and smaller centres saw higher rates of participation. While most participants experienced a certain sense of belonging to Canada they simultaneously felt challenged while considering issues such as loss of identity, managing settlement concerns and combatting racism and social exclusion. Language was one of the other key challenges for incoming Syrian refugees. With low levels of English comprehension and speaking skills it was difficult to find jobs and build social relationships. Women in the survey had higher language skills and were more likely to be students or have full-time employment as compared to men. Men were more likely than women to be looking for work and struggled with English language fluency. In terms of location, small centres and large centres saw some critical differences. There were higher rates of employment and survey participants reported greater satisfaction with employment in larger centres as compared to smaller centres. Large centres also saw a higher proportion of individuals who were able to pay bills and save money. The study proposes several specific service strategies and approaches to working with Syrian refugees. These include: creating a peer navigator model; developing a trauma informed framework for practice; developing a strengths-based needs assessment process; and embedding social well-being as a core outcome for all settlement services with Syrian refugees. This is a study into the early resettlement experiences of Syrian refugees across Alberta. The study explored three broad areas – employment, language and social connections. The majority of participants in the survey sample were either working in part-time jobs, students or looking for work. Employment was a key challenge for these refugees. Their skills and experience did not match job opportunities or their lack of English language skills posed as a critical barrier. The study also found that refugees were making friends and building ties, however these were still nebulous and largely transactional in nature. Male participants were more likely than women to participate in social, cultural and educational activities and smaller centres saw higher rates of participation. While most participants experienced a certain sense of belonging to Canada they simultaneously felt challenged while considering issues such as loss of identity, managing settlement concerns and combatting racism and social exclusion. Language was one of the other key challenges for incoming Syrian refugees. With low levels of English comprehension and speaking skills it was difficult to find jobs and build social relationships. Women in the survey had higher language skills and were more likely to be students or have full-time employment as compared to men. Men were more likely than women to be looking for work and struggled with English language fluency. In terms of location, small centres and large centres saw some critical differences. There were higher rates of employment and survey participants reported greater satisfaction with employment in larger centres as compared to smaller centres. Large centres also saw a higher proportion of individuals who were able to pay bills and save money. The study proposes several specific service strategies and approaches to working with Syrian refugees. These include: creating a peer navigator model; developing a trauma informed framework for practice; developing a strengths-based needs assessment process; and embedding social well-being as a core outcome for all settlement services with Syrian refugees.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications. Data on immigrant and refugees’ access to services in Canada does not typically focus on children. To fill this gap, this study explored immigrant and refugee mothers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators (things that help) for mental health care for their children in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Barriers included financial strain, lack of information, racism/discrimination, language barriers, stigma, feeling isolated, and feeling unheard by service providers. Facilitators included schools offering services, personal levels of higher education, and free services. Nurses can improve access to mental health services by addressing issues related to racism within the health system, by creating awareness related to mental health, and by providing trained interpreters to help bridge barriers in communications.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This study assesses the services provided in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in terms of housing needs, language training, and job search experiences. Upon arrival, the vast majority of the refugees are provided short-term accommodation in hotels. Only one third, however, is satisfied with the response to their housing needs. Women are not facing as much difficulty as men. Compared to PSRs, the GARs are face greater difficulty finding work in Alberta. This study assesses the services provided in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in response to the Syrian refugee crisis in terms of housing needs, language training, and job search experiences. Upon arrival, the vast majority of the refugees are provided short-term accommodation in hotels. Only one third, however, is satisfied with the response to their housing needs. Women are not facing as much difficulty as men. Compared to PSRs, the GARs are face greater difficulty finding work in Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article examines the relationship between Pho, a type of Vietnamese soup, and Vietnamese national identity in the linguistic landscape of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). The study suggests that Pho has not only been used by Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton for indexical function (pointing to the specialty of a restaurant) but also for symbolic evocation associating with Vietnamese cuisine and national identity. The data comes from three Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton. The results indicate that Pho is a very prominent word in the linguistic landscape of three restaurants. Furthermore, the symbolic relationship between Pho and Vietnamese identity is evident in the way it is used to address the feelings of nostalgia among migrant patrons. This article examines the relationship between Pho, a type of Vietnamese soup, and Vietnamese national identity in the linguistic landscape of Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). The study suggests that Pho has not only been used by Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton for indexical function (pointing to the specialty of a restaurant) but also for symbolic evocation associating with Vietnamese cuisine and national identity. The data comes from three Vietnamese restaurants in Edmonton. The results indicate that Pho is a very prominent word in the linguistic landscape of three restaurants. Furthermore, the symbolic relationship between Pho and Vietnamese identity is evident in the way it is used to address the feelings of nostalgia among migrant patrons.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly