By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
“For me, becoming a Canadian citizen means having a home instead of a tent, feeling safe instead of fear, being a Canadian citizen instead of a Syrian refugee. Here, I have rights and responsibilities, the right to life, freedom and peace. Everyone looked at me as a single mother, but I was an army for myself and my children. They are now here in their home, Canada, and I am happy for them. Thank you, Canada.”
Those were the emotional words of Midia Suliaman, one of 48 people to become Canadian citizens at a citizenship ceremony held at the Capitol Theatre in Chatham on Sept. 17.
Suliaman, who fled the war in Syria with her two children in tow, spent eight years in a refugee camp in Iraq before coming to Canada. Four years ago, she made her way to Southwestern Ontario and now calls Windsor home.
She was reunited with her son Ibrahim Ezouli here, who at age 15, was moved on from Iraq to Austria. They didn’t see each other for six years but with the help of immigration officials the family came together once again.
Today, Suliaman, 45, her daughter Lilav Ezouli, 19, and Ibrahim, now 26, are living and thriving in their new home.
Surrounded by smiling friends, the trio was among those from 18 countries who took the oath. Against a backdrop of the Maple Leaf blowing in the wind, the new Canadians beamed as they made their way to the stage to accept the document cementing them as Canadian citizens.
The group then sang O’ Canada and heard a video message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcoming them as “equals.”
Wassana and Jack Khanraksa are two Chatham-Kent residents who took the oath. The mother and son moved to Erieau from Thailand in 2016 and eight years later they are now Canadians.
“I’m so excited and I feel wonderful,” said Wassana, now married to long-time C-K resident John Ducedre.
Jack, who is an electrical engineering technician student at St. Clair College, said taking the oath has made him “feel a part of Canada.
“Now I can travel anywhere,” he said.
Tracy Callaghan, executive director of Adult Language and Learning, commended Canada’s newest citizens for their efforts.
“Most people do not choose their citizenship but are instead born into it,” Callaghan told the gathering. “You have all made a choice to become Canadian citizens through hard work and sacrifice. Welcome to Chatham-Kent, welcome to Canada, and remember, the best is yet to come.”
Callaghan, who also chairs the Local Immigration Partnership, said that in 2016, Chatham-Kent was designated as Canada’s first “welcoming community” by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
“This recognition celebrates our community’s commitment to inclusivity and to our appreciation for the cultural mosaic of Chatham-Kent and Canada,” Callaghan explained.
Canada’s truth and reconciliation journey with its First Nations people was also shared with the new citizens. Along with a video, the crowd heard words from Walpole Island First Nation band member Allen Deleary, who works as Caldwell First Nation’s chief administrator.
“It is with open arms that I welcome you to the territories of our people,” Deleary said. “It is with love and kindness that we welcome you here. We are all the collective people of this earth, of this creation.”
Deleary urged the group to “take the time” to learn the history of Turtle Island.
“Each of you as newcomers, you certainly know where you come from,” he said. “And you know where you’re at and where you’re going.”
