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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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
The aim of this study was to delve into the experiences of African immigrant women in Southern Alberta and the ensuing impact on mental health. Employing an exploratory descriptive qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 African immigrant women living in Lethbridge or Calgary, AB. Thematic analysis revealed that these women encountered intersecting challenges in Canada stemming from factors such as race, gender, social class, and immigration status, leading to negative effects on their mental health. Nevertheless, the participants employed various coping strategies to alleviate these challenges, with culture playing a significant role in shaping perceptions and coping mechanisms. The study underscores the importance of implementing culturally safe programs by stakeholders, policy makers, and mental health practitioners to facilitate the successful transition and integration of African Immigrant women into their new environment. The aim of this study was to delve into the experiences of African immigrant women in Southern Alberta and the ensuing impact on mental health. Employing an exploratory descriptive qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 African immigrant women living in Lethbridge or Calgary, AB. Thematic analysis revealed that these women encountered intersecting challenges in Canada stemming from factors such as race, gender, social class, and immigration status, leading to negative effects on their mental health. Nevertheless, the participants employed various coping strategies to alleviate these challenges, with culture playing a significant role in shaping perceptions and coping mechanisms. The study underscores the importance of implementing culturally safe programs by stakeholders, policy makers, and mental health practitioners to facilitate the successful transition and integration of African Immigrant women into their new environment.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
A guide to the laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ people in various countries around the globe, including a list of the laws by country, as well as world maps indicating countries by type of offense criminalized and sentence type. Important resource to provide context for those working with LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants, as well as newcomers with LGBTQ+ children. A guide to the laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ people in various countries around the globe, including a list of the laws by country, as well as world maps indicating countries by type of offense criminalized and sentence type. Important resource to provide context for those working with LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants, as well as newcomers with LGBTQ+ children.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community. The City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Framework 2023–2027 outlines the city’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and promoting racial equity and justice. This framework focuses on amplifying transformative engagement, monitoring and evaluation, centering lived experiences, and adopting an anti-colonial lens. It aims to create a racially-just Calgary through education, engagement, collaboration, and policy changes. The framework outlines various programs, services, policies, and systems that will be implemented to achieve desired results, such as racially equitable programs and services, increased representation of Indigenous, Black, and diverse racialized peoples, and the creation of anti-racist safe spaces and processes. The document also emphasizes the importance of incorporating disaggregated race-based data analysis and developing practices and guidelines to enhance racially responsive interactions in public spaces. Overall, this strategic framework provides a roadmap for the City of Calgary to address systemic racism and transform lives in the community.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Current industrialized food systems have detrimental consequences for people and the planet. Relocalizing food systems offers one strategy to mitigate these harms; advocates point to opportunities for ecological, economic, and social benefits as reason to localize food production. However, the assumption that the local is inherently preferable to the global can lead academics, practitioners, and consumers into the local trap. With increasing ethnic diversity in Canada, the perception that local is inherently good and global is inherently bad can translate into defensive and exclusionary tendencies towards the food preferences and practices of newcomers, immigrants and refugees. While the literature identifies various manifestations of the local trap, it offers limited investigation of strategies that may overcome this pitfall. In contrast to defensive localism, alternative conceptualizations of scale may support action in favour of collaborative, inclusive, and diversity-receptive outcomes in food systems. Therefore, in this thesis, I aim to identify strategies that may include the food preferences and practices of newcomers while also addressing problematic aspects of industrial food systems. I also seek to
understand the mechanisms and conceptualizations that enable such strategies. To accomplish this, 1) I completed a literature analysis to synthesize potential strategies and models and 2) empirically explored food practices and goals of the EthniCity Catering program (Centre for Newcomers) in Calgary, Alberta to illustrate the potential application of such strategies in a specific time and place. This thesis hopes to offer theoretical contributions to geographical discussions on scale in food systems as well as practical implications for food system practitioners. Current industrialized food systems have detrimental consequences for people and the planet. Relocalizing food systems offers one strategy to mitigate these harms; advocates point to opportunities for ecological, economic, and social benefits as reason to localize food production. However, the assumption that the local is inherently preferable to the global can lead academics, practitioners, and consumers into the local trap. With increasing ethnic diversity in Canada, the perception that local is inherently good and global is inherently bad can translate into defensive and exclusionary tendencies towards the food preferences and practices of newcomers, immigrants and refugees. While the literature identifies various manifestations of the local trap, it offers limited investigation of strategies that may overcome this pitfall. In contrast to defensive localism, alternative conceptualizations of scale may support action in favour of collaborative, inclusive, and diversity-receptive outcomes in food systems. Therefore, in this thesis, I aim to identify strategies that may include the food preferences and practices of newcomers while also addressing problematic aspects of industrial food systems. I also seek to
understand the mechanisms and conceptualizations that enable such strategies. To accomplish this, 1) I completed a literature analysis to synthesize potential strategies and models and 2) empirically explored food practices and goals of the EthniCity Catering program (Centre for Newcomers) in Calgary, Alberta to illustrate the potential application of such strategies in a specific time and place. This thesis hopes to offer theoretical contributions to geographical discussions on scale in food systems as well as practical implications for food system practitioners.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Immigrant and refugee (im/migrant) families settled in Alberta (AB) are often challenged to overcome structural barriers (i.e., accent discrimination, English as a foreign language, culture shock) in the way of navigating and actively utilizing vaccination services. Research is scarce on the impact of childhood vaccination policies on children of im/migrants in Alberta. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality-based evaluation framework, inclusive of health equity principles, to critically analyze and investigate current Alberta jurisdictional (AJ) childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance. More specifically, the focus of this research was to examine equity considerations in the policies as it relates to vaccinations of im/migrant children. This critical policy analysis inquired and sought to find out to what extent vaccination of children of im/migrants are equitably accounted for in the Alberta context. Relevant sources on Alberta childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were retrieved from the Government of Alberta (GoA) and the Government of Canada (GoC) websites. Initial and retroactive searches, within a 15 year range, led to the content analysis of a total of 25 eligible GoA and GoC-AJ document(s) using an intersectionality-based health equity lens (acknowledgment of impact of immigration status and race/ethnicity on health). All of the childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were found to lack acknowledgement of the existence of structural barriers that im/migrant families face. Recommendations for more inclusive vaccination policies are discussed. Immigrant and refugee (im/migrant) families settled in Alberta (AB) are often challenged to overcome structural barriers (i.e., accent discrimination, English as a foreign language, culture shock) in the way of navigating and actively utilizing vaccination services. Research is scarce on the impact of childhood vaccination policies on children of im/migrants in Alberta. The objective of this study was to use an intersectionality-based evaluation framework, inclusive of health equity principles, to critically analyze and investigate current Alberta jurisdictional (AJ) childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance. More specifically, the focus of this research was to examine equity considerations in the policies as it relates to vaccinations of im/migrant children. This critical policy analysis inquired and sought to find out to what extent vaccination of children of im/migrants are equitably accounted for in the Alberta context. Relevant sources on Alberta childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were retrieved from the Government of Alberta (GoA) and the Government of Canada (GoC) websites. Initial and retroactive searches, within a 15 year range, led to the content analysis of a total of 25 eligible GoA and GoC-AJ document(s) using an intersectionality-based health equity lens (acknowledgment of impact of immigration status and race/ethnicity on health). All of the childhood vaccination policies and policy guidance were found to lack acknowledgement of the existence of structural barriers that im/migrant families face. Recommendations for more inclusive vaccination policies are discussed.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
In this report, Edmonton City Council is being asked to approve the Anti-Racism Strategy to support the equity of racialized communities in Edmonton, structural changes within the City of Edmonton Administration, as
well as the development of an implementation and financing plan to activate the Strategy. This
work will be prioritized in Administration’s work for the long-term City Plan alignment. The proposed anti-racism strategy outlines 3 elements to advance anti-racism in Edmonton, and is asking Council for both approval of the strategy as well as an increase in operating expenditure budget. In this report, Edmonton City Council is being asked to approve the Anti-Racism Strategy to support the equity of racialized communities in Edmonton, structural changes within the City of Edmonton Administration, as
well as the development of an implementation and financing plan to activate the Strategy. This
work will be prioritized in Administration’s work for the long-term City Plan alignment. The proposed anti-racism strategy outlines 3 elements to advance anti-racism in Edmonton, and is asking Council for both approval of the strategy as well as an increase in operating expenditure budget.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity. Children with disabilities are among the most at-risk groups for marginalization due to compounded disadvantages from the intersection of risk factors such as refugee status and disability status. Despite this high risk, there is no systematic data collected on this group and scant literature on the topic contributing to a feeling of invisibility. We conducted a narrative inquiry on the experiences of two Syrian refugee families with children living with disabilities. Narrative inquiry is a way to understand experience as a storied phenomenon. In order to understand the complexities of the experience as a refugee with a child living with disabilities, attending to the lived and told stories is essential. In hearing the narration of these experiences across time, place, and social contexts various narrative threads emerged. The narrative threads that resonated across the experiences of two families included waiting and a struggle for agency, as well as disruption and continuity.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The Vital Signs Report 2022 is a comprehensive document that sheds light on the issue of systemic racism in Edmonton. The report highlights the demographics of the city and the historical factors that have contributed to the systemic racism that exists today. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge the existence of discrimination and take action to eliminate it. The report also acknowledges the limitations of available data and language used in the report. The document encourages individuals and organizations to start conversations and take action to combat systemic racism. It provides a list of organizations working to improve the community and offers guidance on how individuals can make a difference. The report also features profiles of poet laureates, BIPOC, QTIBPOCs, Bear Clan Beaver Hills House, YEG the Come Up, 1884 Fellowship, and African Canadian Civic Engagement Council. Overall, the Vital Signs Report 2022 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and addressing systemic racism in Edmonton. The Vital Signs Report 2022 is a comprehensive document that sheds light on the issue of systemic racism in Edmonton. The report highlights the demographics of the city and the historical factors that have contributed to the systemic racism that exists today. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge the existence of discrimination and take action to eliminate it. The report also acknowledges the limitations of available data and language used in the report. The document encourages individuals and organizations to start conversations and take action to combat systemic racism. It provides a list of organizations working to improve the community and offers guidance on how individuals can make a difference. The report also features profiles of poet laureates, BIPOC, QTIBPOCs, Bear Clan Beaver Hills House, YEG the Come Up, 1884 Fellowship, and African Canadian Civic Engagement Council. Overall, the Vital Signs Report 2022 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and addressing systemic racism in Edmonton.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This thesis examined the narrative abilities of bilingual, English L2 newcomer and immigrant children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Typical Development (TD). Compared to the monolingual research, there have been fewer studies examining narratives in clinical bilingual groups, especially bilinguals with ASD, and no study so far has compared bilinguals with ASD to bilinguals with DLD. This thesis asked: (1) Is
macrostructure an area of weakness in DLD? (2) Do children with ASD experience difficulties with structural language, i.e., morphology and syntax? (3) Are narrative skills requiring perspective-taking abilities equally vulnerable in ASD and DLD? (4) Do bilinguals with ASD and DLD use the second language input they receive to the same as bilinguals with TD? Identified differences between newcomer children with ASD, DLD or TD can be utilized to create tailored interventions. This thesis examined the narrative abilities of bilingual, English L2 newcomer and immigrant children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Typical Development (TD). Compared to the monolingual research, there have been fewer studies examining narratives in clinical bilingual groups, especially bilinguals with ASD, and no study so far has compared bilinguals with ASD to bilinguals with DLD. This thesis asked: (1) Is
macrostructure an area of weakness in DLD? (2) Do children with ASD experience difficulties with structural language, i.e., morphology and syntax? (3) Are narrative skills requiring perspective-taking abilities equally vulnerable in ASD and DLD? (4) Do bilinguals with ASD and DLD use the second language input they receive to the same as bilinguals with TD? Identified differences between newcomer children with ASD, DLD or TD can be utilized to create tailored interventions.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Canadian immigrant policies have systemically excluded individuals with disabilities from immigrating to Canada due to ‘excessive demand’ and ‘medical inadmissibility’ clauses. Ableism, racism, and colonialism affect all aspects of pre-application, application, settlement and integration. However, a gap in resources and knowledge of working with newcomers with disabilities exists. This reports on the training program requested by Immigrant Services Calgary on supporting newcomers with disabilities. Canadian immigrant policies have systemically excluded individuals with disabilities from immigrating to Canada due to ‘excessive demand’ and ‘medical inadmissibility’ clauses. Ableism, racism, and colonialism affect all aspects of pre-application, application, settlement and integration. However, a gap in resources and knowledge of working with newcomers with disabilities exists. This reports on the training program requested by Immigrant Services Calgary on supporting newcomers with disabilities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
