A new group in Yorkton is focusing on helping immigrants in settling in the city.
“A group of interested individuals has formed a steering committee to establish a network for those interested in helping new arrivals, particularly those who are fleeing war and terror in the Middle East, but also those from elsewhere who have been displaced by war or persecuted for who they are,” group spokesperson Dick DeRyk told Yorkton Council during a presentation Monday.
“The formation of the group was, in large part, a reaction to the need for information and co-ordination as it relates to sponsoring refugees here in Yorkton and surrounding area, and in part to some of the negative comments that have been and are being made about the new federal government’s plans to sponsor people from overseas.”
DeRyk said the group will also work to negate local concerns regarding immigrants.
“We recognize that many people are genuinely concerned about the process, while others are reacting negatively based on unfounded fears and some of the xenophobic rhetoric coming, in large part, from south of the border,” he said.
“We hope to inform people in our community about the process, to alleviate some of those fears and offset some of that negativity.”
The new group is not trying to cover ground already being looked after by existing groups.
“Just to be clear, this informal network will not, in any way, compete with or replace the services already offered in the city by programs such as Sask Abilities Council’s Partners in Settlement and Immigration, which assists immigrants, including refugees, after they arrive and need help with housing, jobs, education, banking, shopping -- all the facets of life in Canada,” said DeRyk.
“The intent of our group is to provide a networking opportunity and information for individuals and groups interested in becoming sponsors, and to provide general information to our community. We will promote and provide information about sponsorship, while the Partners program, and of course the sponsors themselves, will continue their valuable work of looking after new arrivals once they are here.”
DeRyk said at present on a map of communities that are labelled as having open hearts and being welcoming. In our province, only Regina and Saskatoon are on the map, although Prince Albert and Moose Jaw are also recognized by the federal government as feasible destinations.
But there are efforts under way to bring immigrants here.
“At present, a group at St. Andrew’s United Church in Yorkton has been approved to sponsor a refugee mother and child, who will be arriving likely early in the new year. St. Gerard’s Church has also been approved to sponsor a family, the family has been selected, and they are awaiting further information about the arrival timelines. Other individuals and groups are interested, and are looking for like-minded people to join them in private sponsorship, or joint government-private sponsorship,” said DeRyk.
“To help facilitate this work, our network, and others, felt it worthwhile to establish a local network to assist in the process. This group will not be sponsors, but will gather and provide information, and put people and groups in touch with each other. We will do that by providing a central contact point – likely through SIGN – and by providing information on a website, www.GoodThingsHappen.ca.
“As a group, we are non-political, non-partisan, and not affiliated with any organization, be it religious, political, social, business or other. We are members of the community from all walks of life and all ages, interested in assisting the refugee settlement program, and we welcome others to join us if they are of like mind.”
DeRyk told Council they were not looking for financial aid toward their efforts, but they were going Council would support the idea, since immigration is at the heart of the city’s development.
“When you adopted the new community logo and motto, Where Good Things Happen, it was the result of research and discussions about the essence of Yorkton. During that process, Yorkton was identified as a gathering place for centuries. It was a traditional gathering place for First Nations peoples, and over the last century and a quarter, has become a gathering place for dozens of other groups: the Doukhobor people fleeing persecution in Europe, Ukrainian people seeking a better life, German people who came here by way of Nebraska, Scottish settlers, English settlers who founded Yorkton itself, Hungarians who settled south of us, the Welsh people of the Bangor area who came by way of Patagonia, Icelandic people to the east and west, Chinese people, Vietnamese refugees when their world was embroiled in war, and more recently people from the Philippines, from South Asia, from the African continent and South Africa,” he told Council.
“Historically, and today, Yorkton has embraced diversity. There was record attendance at the Festival of Cultures held recently at Sacred Heart High School, where 12 cultures featured their food, customs, traditional music and dances. Also this month, multiple faith communities have contributed to rent, food gift cards, and gas gift cards for a newcomer family that is awaiting Canada Immigration decision of whether they can remain in our country.
“We want to continue the tradition of welcoming those from other places in the world who need our help and assistance, who need a place to gather their lives together and start over.”
So Council was asked for a motion of support.
“In the spirit of the season, we are asking you to recognize our city to be a community that is open and welcoming to those who have been subjected to war, persecution, famine and other life-threatening conditions that have driven them from their homes to seek refuge elsewhere, and to start a new life,” said DeRyk.
“We are asking you to help us make sure that Yorkton is added to that map of welcoming communities with open hearts.
“A declaration by our City Council that Yorkton welcomes new arrivals who have had to flee their homes and countries will be a morale booster for individuals, church groups, and private groups – all of those who have seen the need and want to help. Such a declaration by you will be affirmation that our community cares, and that helping those who need our help is recognized as the right thing to do.”
Those who want to know more about refugee sponsorship, and what they can do, are invited to a public meeting we will be hosting on January 12, 7 p.m. at SIGN on Broadway. There will be ample opportunity there to discuss, ask questions, and talk one-on-one with others who are involved, or want to become involved, said DeRyk.
Council was unanimous in passing a resolution declaring that Yorkton City Council, recognizing the need and plight of people fleeing war and persecution, declare our city to be open to new arrivals starting a new life in a safe and welcoming community.
