It was a day to remember, a day to celebrate dedication, and a day to celebrate pride in a newfound home.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada hosted a citizenship ceremony at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum on July 19. Twenty-three new Canadians took the oath of citizenship, received their citizenship certificate and proudly belted out a rendition of O Canada.
It was the first citizenship ceremony in Estevan in about 15 years.
Akuorkor Ninepence, who is a citizenship officer, led the ceremony and provided some vital information to the newcomers. Dr. Michael Jackson served as the presiding officer.
The individuals who received their citizenship were Elana Adams, Jane Arellano, Jerome Badoy, JL Bale, Basilio Balasbas, Oleksandra Bobrova, Iryna Buhlak, Anatoli Davidian, Hanna Frolova, Dmytro Goncharov, Salman Hafeez, Oksana Honcharova, Ria Kurup, Richa Kurup, Stanislav Markaruk, Vitaliy Markaruk, Constantina Mihai, Jomalyn Pinon, Manuel Regalado, Marilyn Roque, Maksim Stozhkov, Liudmyla Tsapko and Catalina Victorino.
Arellano, who came to Canada from the Philippines five years ago, said receiving her citizenship was a very exciting day. She is looking forward to engaging in discussions regarding politics, religion and life in the country.
Having her citizenship will also make it easier for her to travel, and it will create a better future for her and her family.
“It’s really very safe here in Canada, and I would say that the people are very nice to each other,” Arellano told the Mercury. “It’s really multi-cultural in Canada. You see lots of different people from different races, and that’s good.”
Arellano said obtaining her citizenship felt like a waiting game. She had to take an exam, and fill out various forms. But when she found out she would become a Canadian citizen, she was very excited.
Honcharova, meanwhile, is originally from Ukraine and said she is proud to be a Canadian citizen. She said she feels free, and believes Canada has given her everything.
“I’m really happy,” said Honcharova. “I met new friends. I built my life here and I tried to build my career here.’
She arrived in Canada five years ago to be with her husband. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted.
“I am thankful to my husband that he decided to come to Canada,” said Honcharova. “Canada was just in my dreams. I was thinking about it, but I never thought it would come true.”
Canada provides so much, she said. Honcharova feels she can do whatever she likes, and her dreams can come true.
Jackson also read the letter from Bobrova, who also came to Canada from Ukraine. She said becoming a Canadian citizen meant that she was in a safe and free place to live and enjoy her life.
“It means that I should always follow the laws that we have, and I should always help out my fellow Canadians in my community, but most importantly I am very proud to become a Canadian citizen, and very thankful to be given the opportunity to live in this amazing country.”
Jackson, who was the chief of protocol for the Government of Saskatchewan and is a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, said citizenship was the culmination of a lengthy journey, as these people came from around the world to make Canada their home.
“But it’s also a journey in a cultural sense, because you’re now living in a country … which has a different language in most cases. Different customs. Different educational systems and different work practices,” said Jackson.
It has also been an emotional and spiritual journey, he said, because they had the courage to leave behind the familiar, including family, friends and culture, to make a life for themselves in Canada.
“This requires initiative, resilience and patience, quite often, on your part,” said Jackson.
He reminded the new Canadians that Canada is a huge country, but also beautiful, with immense forests, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges and plains.
“We are blessed with extraordinary natural resources – agriculture, mining and energy,” said Jackson. “This city of Estevan is a hub of the mining, energy and agricultural part of our country.”
Canada is also home to diverse weather conditions, and the cold creates a stronger mentality among its citizens.
He noted indigenous people have been in Canada for thousands of years. In the last 500 years, people from France, England and other nations came to Canada.
Jackson also told the audience that he and his wife adopted a girl from Romania 25 years ago. Their Romanian daughter received her citizenship at the age of one, even though she couldn’t talk at the time.
“We come from all over the world, and you are part of a long-standing Canadian tradition,” said Jackson. “You come from six countries around the world, and your new country welcomes you. We are proud that you have chosen to be part of us.”
Before they became Canadians, they had to take and pass an exam on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. It means they likely know more about Canada’s system of governance than many of the people who were born and raised in Canada.
EAGM director Amber Andersen said she was approached about hosting a ceremony. Once they offered her the opportunity, she was very excited because the EAGM is always looking for ways to bring in more people, and to reach out to people who aren’t from Canada.
The EAGM is always talking about different, voices, stories and histories, she said.
“I think it’s always just a celebratory moment to welcome new people to Canada, so what a wonderful event to have at the art gallery,” said Andersen.
The ceremony was beautiful, and she said she was honoured to be a part of it.
