Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers
This article examines the financial literacy of older immigrants in Canada. Older immigrants experience multiple forms of financial exclusion rooted in the intersections between age, race, gender, immigration, and labour history. While the existing literature notes how immigrants are more likely to be unbanked because of structural barriers such as inaccessible services and language barriers, few studies have explored how older immigrants discuss their experiences and financial conditions. This paper explores the experiences of financial literacy among older immigrants in Calgary, Alberta through in-depth interviews and photographs taken by participants. We discuss the lived experiences and financial realities among older immigrants, how they perceive challenges to financial literacy as well as coping strategies. Themes focus on the ways in which histories of immigration and labour impact their financial security in later life. Photographs generated offer service providers and policy makers opportunities to think about and engage in interventions that better tackle issues of financial insecurity and inequality among older immigrants. This article examines the financial literacy of older immigrants in Canada. Older immigrants experience multiple forms of financial exclusion rooted in the intersections between age, race, gender, immigration, and labour history. While the existing literature notes how immigrants are more likely to be unbanked because of structural barriers such as inaccessible services and language barriers, few studies have explored how older immigrants discuss their experiences and financial conditions. This paper explores the experiences of financial literacy among older immigrants in Calgary, Alberta through in-depth interviews and photographs taken by participants. We discuss the lived experiences and financial realities among older immigrants, how they perceive challenges to financial literacy as well as coping strategies. Themes focus on the ways in which histories of immigration and labour impact their financial security in later life. Photographs generated offer service providers and policy makers opportunities to think about and engage in interventions that better tackle issues of financial insecurity and inequality among older immigrants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Physical activity is essential for healthy aging; however, there has been little exploration of physical activity in Muslim older immigrants in Canada. Over one million Canadians identify as Muslim, the majority is first-generation immigrants, with increasing cohorts entering older age. Interviews and focus groups on physical activity and healthy aging were conducted with 68 older adults and community members from South Asian, Arab, and African Muslim ethnocultural communities in Edmonton, AB. Participants emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. Four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active; (b) health factors: pain and health limitations; (c) social factors: culture,
religion, and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility. Physical activity is essential for healthy aging; however, there has been little exploration of physical activity in Muslim older immigrants in Canada. Over one million Canadians identify as Muslim, the majority is first-generation immigrants, with increasing cohorts entering older age. Interviews and focus groups on physical activity and healthy aging were conducted with 68 older adults and community members from South Asian, Arab, and African Muslim ethnocultural communities in Edmonton, AB. Participants emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. Four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active; (b) health factors: pain and health limitations; (c) social factors: culture,
religion, and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The health and wellbeing of African children and families, as an emerging demographic, is of interest and concern to various stakeholders in Canada. Yet, few studies have examined how parents and other members of the African community perceive the concept of mental health. This paper examines the perceptions of mental health of African community members concerning parenting children of African heritage. Findings show that linguistic differences, cultural beliefs, and life experiences play a role in how African immigrants living within the Canadian context view mental health and mental health difficulties. African immigrant parents struggle with the tension of holding traditional cultural views of wellness in an environment where structures and services are centred around Western notions of mental health and illness and the potential impact this can have on their parenting practices and children’s mental health. Recommendations for resolving conflicts relating to mental health perceptions are discussed to enhance service access and provision among African immigrant families in Canada and other Western countries. The health and wellbeing of African children and families, as an emerging demographic, is of interest and concern to various stakeholders in Canada. Yet, few studies have examined how parents and other members of the African community perceive the concept of mental health. This paper examines the perceptions of mental health of African community members concerning parenting children of African heritage. Findings show that linguistic differences, cultural beliefs, and life experiences play a role in how African immigrants living within the Canadian context view mental health and mental health difficulties. African immigrant parents struggle with the tension of holding traditional cultural views of wellness in an environment where structures and services are centred around Western notions of mental health and illness and the potential impact this can have on their parenting practices and children’s mental health. Recommendations for resolving conflicts relating to mental health perceptions are discussed to enhance service access and provision among African immigrant families in Canada and other Western countries.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are
not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving
in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences
with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and
culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues. Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are
not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving
in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences
with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and
culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This article analyzes perspectives and strategies through which Black African immigrant youth in Calgary, Alberta, promote their social inclusion in Canadian society. This article stresses the agency and resilience among Black African youth in Calgary. Overall, the findings emphasize that Black African immigrant youths’ sense and strategies of inclusion are rooted in their ethnic group and religious associations. Specifically, participants identified 1) spaces of safety, 2) empowerment initiatives, and 3) support through social networks that made their sense of inclusion meaningful. The analysis of the agency of Black African youth illuminates the strength and power of the youth and their respective communities. Finding themselves in a new environment and context, they drew on continuous, centuries-long cultural knowledge and strategies to adapt to change. Not only are they coping, but they are also thriving and teaching and sharing their heritage and humanistic values with various peoples and cultures. This article analyzes perspectives and strategies through which Black African immigrant youth in Calgary, Alberta, promote their social inclusion in Canadian society. This article stresses the agency and resilience among Black African youth in Calgary. Overall, the findings emphasize that Black African immigrant youths’ sense and strategies of inclusion are rooted in their ethnic group and religious associations. Specifically, participants identified 1) spaces of safety, 2) empowerment initiatives, and 3) support through social networks that made their sense of inclusion meaningful. The analysis of the agency of Black African youth illuminates the strength and power of the youth and their respective communities. Finding themselves in a new environment and context, they drew on continuous, centuries-long cultural knowledge and strategies to adapt to change. Not only are they coping, but they are also thriving and teaching and sharing their heritage and humanistic values with various peoples and cultures.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Investigations into immigrant resilience are now being called for in scholarly reviews of literature, policy, and practice related to immigrants, following decades in which the challenges they face in or pose to Western host societies took centre stage. Focusing on resilience not only recognizes immigrants’ strengths and contributions to their new homelands, but also creates a fertile landscape to explore possible pathways to optimize migration outcomes. The findings of focus group discussions with African immigrant stakeholders (service providers, community/religious leaders, and staff of policy-making bodies) in three Canadian cities align with this new emphasis. However, these findings also raise crucial questions about current conceptualizations of resilience applied to immigrants. Our thematic analysis indicates that African immigrants attach meanings, processes, and values to resilience that differ from conceptions of resilience in the scholarly literature. Their viewpoints and lived experiences presented below offer new understandings that prompt a re-evaluation of currently held assumptions about resilience rooted in Western individualistic notions about mental health. These assumptions, our study show, do not capture African immigrants’ settlement experiences and long-term adaptation to life in Western nations—as collectivist cultures. Investigations into immigrant resilience are now being called for in scholarly reviews of literature, policy, and practice related to immigrants, following decades in which the challenges they face in or pose to Western host societies took centre stage. Focusing on resilience not only recognizes immigrants’ strengths and contributions to their new homelands, but also creates a fertile landscape to explore possible pathways to optimize migration outcomes. The findings of focus group discussions with African immigrant stakeholders (service providers, community/religious leaders, and staff of policy-making bodies) in three Canadian cities align with this new emphasis. However, these findings also raise crucial questions about current conceptualizations of resilience applied to immigrants. Our thematic analysis indicates that African immigrants attach meanings, processes, and values to resilience that differ from conceptions of resilience in the scholarly literature. Their viewpoints and lived experiences presented below offer new understandings that prompt a re-evaluation of currently held assumptions about resilience rooted in Western individualistic notions about mental health. These assumptions, our study show, do not capture African immigrants’ settlement experiences and long-term adaptation to life in Western nations—as collectivist cultures.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This study in Calgary, AB explored how dual-language books (DLBs) can foster literacy instruction and learner engagement through language awareness. Canada’s changing demographics have resulted in mother tongue diversity and many urban schools identifying at least 25% of students as being English language learners, making it crucial to include a mix of languages in classroom interactions to engage all learners. The case study combined prereading linguistic prompts with a reading of 10 DLBs, one each week, by guest readers in Urdu, Tagalog, and Spanish, alongside the teacher reading in English. Video recordings and
surveys collected data on the teacher’s, guest readers’, and learners’ reflections on the experience. Findings indicate that regardless of the learners’ linguistic heritage or English language competence, the DLBs offered a unique support for literacy engagement while fostering a focus on language awareness, reading strategies, and higher order engagement with text. This study in Calgary, AB explored how dual-language books (DLBs) can foster literacy instruction and learner engagement through language awareness. Canada’s changing demographics have resulted in mother tongue diversity and many urban schools identifying at least 25% of students as being English language learners, making it crucial to include a mix of languages in classroom interactions to engage all learners. The case study combined prereading linguistic prompts with a reading of 10 DLBs, one each week, by guest readers in Urdu, Tagalog, and Spanish, alongside the teacher reading in English. Video recordings and
surveys collected data on the teacher’s, guest readers’, and learners’ reflections on the experience. Findings indicate that regardless of the learners’ linguistic heritage or English language competence, the DLBs offered a unique support for literacy engagement while fostering a focus on language awareness, reading strategies, and higher order engagement with text.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The 2013 Albertan flood resulted in devastating impacts for immigrant children, youth, and families across the province. This article presents the findings of the Alberta Resilient Communities (ARC) Project, a collaborative research initiative that aimed to better understand the social, economic, health, cultural, spiritual, and personal factors that contribute to resiliency among immigrant children and youth following the flood. The study findings demonstrate that immigrants faced significant socio-economic impacts, trauma, job loss, and housing instability as a result of the flood and its aftermath. Schools, immigrant parents, and community connections were found to play a key role in fostering immigrant child and youth resilience post-disaster. The 2013 Albertan flood resulted in devastating impacts for immigrant children, youth, and families across the province. This article presents the findings of the Alberta Resilient Communities (ARC) Project, a collaborative research initiative that aimed to better understand the social, economic, health, cultural, spiritual, and personal factors that contribute to resiliency among immigrant children and youth following the flood. The study findings demonstrate that immigrants faced significant socio-economic impacts, trauma, job loss, and housing instability as a result of the flood and its aftermath. Schools, immigrant parents, and community connections were found to play a key role in fostering immigrant child and youth resilience post-disaster.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This study examined the challenges and critical psychosocial needs of Syrian refugee families with young children in Western Canada. It also looked at the role of cultural brokering in facilitating their psychosocial adaptation. Results reveal that Syrian families struggled with feeling safe and secure in Canada, adjusting to the changing roles in the family, and trying to find meaning in their lives. These struggles were attributed to families’ overall challenges navigating various domains of integration (i.e., health, social services, and education), resulting in a heavy reliance on cultural brokers for social linking and bonding activities, including connecting families to needed supports and helping family members build relationships with one another. This study provides evidence for the use of both of these frameworks in further studies involving Syrian refugee populations; they proved useful for understanding how families, over time, can develop necessary skills to engage on their own in linking activities with various Canadian institutions and bridging activities with communities at large. This study examined the challenges and critical psychosocial needs of Syrian refugee families with young children in Western Canada. It also looked at the role of cultural brokering in facilitating their psychosocial adaptation. Results reveal that Syrian families struggled with feeling safe and secure in Canada, adjusting to the changing roles in the family, and trying to find meaning in their lives. These struggles were attributed to families’ overall challenges navigating various domains of integration (i.e., health, social services, and education), resulting in a heavy reliance on cultural brokers for social linking and bonding activities, including connecting families to needed supports and helping family members build relationships with one another. This study provides evidence for the use of both of these frameworks in further studies involving Syrian refugee populations; they proved useful for understanding how families, over time, can develop necessary skills to engage on their own in linking activities with various Canadian institutions and bridging activities with communities at large.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The Canadian Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CANRISK) is a validated, evidence-based, self-administered tool to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiethnic Canadian adults. Identifying individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes allows early intervention that improves modifiable risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in multiethnic urban youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Almost 25% of the participating multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age scored in the moderate or high category of CANRISK. The most prevalent risk factors were ethnicity, followed by physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and low fruit and vegetable consumption. A validated type 2 diabetes screening tool for youth as well as culturally appropriate, evidence-based and multidisciplinary diet and lifestyle interventions aiming to improve modifiable type 2 diabetes risk factors in multiethnic youth, particularly targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant children and youth, should be developed, implemented and evaluated. The Canadian Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CANRISK) is a validated, evidence-based, self-administered tool to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiethnic Canadian adults. Identifying individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes allows early intervention that improves modifiable risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in multiethnic urban youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Almost 25% of the participating multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age scored in the moderate or high category of CANRISK. The most prevalent risk factors were ethnicity, followed by physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and low fruit and vegetable consumption. A validated type 2 diabetes screening tool for youth as well as culturally appropriate, evidence-based and multidisciplinary diet and lifestyle interventions aiming to improve modifiable type 2 diabetes risk factors in multiethnic youth, particularly targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant children and youth, should be developed, implemented and evaluated.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
