The Canadian population is aging and also becoming more ethnically diverse. This study examined
differences in identities among South Asian seniors who immigrated at different life stages with
different lengths of residency in Canada. We interviewed 161 immigrants of South Asian descent
in Edmonton, Canada, aged 60 and older about their ethnic/national identity, transnational ties,
cultural retention and practices, and participation in and concerns about life in Canada. Our findings
show that women were more likely than men to see themselves as more South Asian than
Canadian. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that older age at immigration and low
English-language proficiency were significant predictors of ethnic identity. These findings indicated
the importance of language for ethnic and national (Canadian) identity and revealed that South
Asian immigrant elders who came to Canada in later life tended to retain their ethnic identities,
while immigrant elders who came to Canada earlier in life were more likely to have developed a
bicultural identity that incorporated both ethnic and Canadian identity. Related to the notion of
bicultural identity, strong transnational ties with the country of origin were associated with greater
participation in Canadian society. The Canadian population is aging and also becoming more ethnically diverse. This study examined
differences in identities among South Asian seniors who immigrated at different life stages with
different lengths of residency in Canada. We interviewed 161 immigrants of South Asian descent
in Edmonton, Canada, aged 60 and older about their ethnic/national identity, transnational ties,
cultural retention and practices, and participation in and concerns about life in Canada. Our findings
show that women were more likely than men to see themselves as more South Asian than
Canadian. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that older age at immigration and low
English-language proficiency were significant predictors of ethnic identity. These findings indicated
the importance of language for ethnic and national (Canadian) identity and revealed that South
Asian immigrant elders who came to Canada in later life tended to retain their ethnic identities,
while immigrant elders who came to Canada earlier in life were more likely to have developed a
bicultural identity that incorporated both ethnic and Canadian identity. Related to the notion of
bicultural identity, strong transnational ties with the country of origin were associated with greater
participation in Canadian society.
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