Over the last two decades, scholarly works, and personal stories have discussed the phenomenon of children reuniting with their parents who live in the global north. “Strangers in the New Homeland”: The Personal Stories of Jamaican Canadian Adults Who Migrated to Canada as Children is a qualitative study that was conducted with participants from the Jamaican, Canadian community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. As an impact of globalization, participants shared their experience of reunification with their parents after being separated. One participant expressed: "I wondered why it took so long for me to be reunited with my mom--now I can see why". During reception, settlement, and integration participants realized that some of the barriers to reunification were based on the bureaucratic practices predicated on anti-Black racism that continues in Canadian society. Resilience as defined by the participants is, “the ability to deal with, and respond to systemic racism and barriers that have stood in their way of progress by forming alliances with friends and family while acquiring skills that position them for success in Canada.” Stories of persistence speaks to participants indomitable spirit while they navigated the “cold” terrain of Canada. The presentation will contextualize the history of immigration, and how the participants developed ways of survival and success. This presentation will also discuss the systemic barriers that impacted the participants through critical practice theory that will center their stories. Discussions will contribute to diverse approaches in social work teaching, learning, and practice, that can contribute to social change.

Authors:
Marva J Ferguson, Mount Royal University, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Marva J Ferguson is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Mount Royal University, in Canada

See this presentation on the full schedule – Schedule

Bookmark