The long process of legal immigration recently concluded for a number of area residents.
A total of 111 new citizens were sworn in at the Western Development Museum at a ceremony on Friday in an event that ran in conjunction with A Taste of Culture, a multicultural food festival.
The event began with comments from University of Saskatchewan professor emeritus J.R. Miller, who is widely considered a leading expert on Native-newcomer relations, according to a release by the University of Saskatchewan.
Miller, whose ancestors came from Scotland, spoke about the new citizens’ responsibility of voting and participating democratically.
“Our history is now your history,” Miller said, who posed for photos with new citizens after the ceremony.
A statement by Rosemarie Falk, who didn’t attend, was read aloud, and Battlefords MLA Herb Cox welcomed the new citizens.
City Councillor Len Taylor, representing Mayor Ryan Bater, spoke of citizens benefitting from the work of immigrants.
“I am forever grateful for the challenges that my grandparents faced,” Taylor said.
Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre Executive Director Annette McGovern acknowledged the “considerable amount of work and time” many undertook to become Canadian citizens.
Two new immigrants spoke at the podium about how much being Canadian meant to them, and about how happy they were.
“God bless Canada,” said one woman, who also praised the country’s healthcare.
The oath included a pledge of allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, and the new citizens promised to follow Canadian laws.
The sworn-in citizens were given certificates and a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Photos by Averil Hall
