A Journey of Hope

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. (City of Toronto’s land acknowledgement)

Canada is often referred to as a land of immigrants because millions of newcomers have settled here. About 20% of Canada’s population speaks languages other than English and French.

I am an immigrant who came to Toronto from India 24 years ago with my husband and two children. It was September and my first memory was of green lawns and tree-lined avenues. There was the excitement of beginning life in a new place and above all, there was optimism and hope.

Yes, I had heard of the unemployment rate in Canada being 10% that year. However, the optimist in me said I will be in the 90% who are employed. Of course, reality sank in pretty soon, but it did not dampen my optimism. Toronto was going to be my new home and there was so much to learn about the ways and culture of a new place.

It began by learning simple things for e.g. that a lift is called an elevator here and the ground floor is the first floor and a whole new way of doing things – including driving on the right side of the road. Very often I was asked, “How do you speak such good English? And the assumption that an immigrant cannot speak English used to surprise me.

Change has always been my companion but my adaptability to change was challenged to the brim in my first two years in Canada. Persistence, perseverance, and an unwavering optimism that saw a silver lining in every cloud kept me going.

As an immigrant looking for a job, the unforeseen hurdles that I faced were – one – I was told – you are overqualified or two – I was told – you do not have Canadian experience – both things that at that time were not in my control.

I remember those years with humility and understand and respect all immigrant parents and families who strive to enter the workplace at positions they are qualified for. To them I say – remain positive, understand the system, project your skills, acquire new skills, join networks and above all, do not give up and lose faith in your ability to succeed.

After two years in Canada, I got into the profession that I am deeply passionate about – education. Over the years, my professional roles and titles have changed but deep down my beliefs and value systems have remained unchanged. Yes, the many diverse experiences have refined and shaped my beliefs and values. What has not changed is that I continue to learn from my mistakes, challenge my assumptions and biases, question stereotypes and continue to believe in the inherent goodness of people.

What has changed is the understanding that it is no longer about me, the individual. who is looking to find a place for myself. It is about who I represent, about being an advocate for those that are seeking guidance because I represent a certain kind of access that most racialized immigrants do not have.

What has changed is having the courage to question the status quo and not letting things remain as they are while doing this in a strategic and safe way.

I am filled with a sense of responsibility, humility and gratitude when a racialized immigrant drops by into my office (pre-covid) to share that they saw my name on the web site and have come to meet me and say that my being where I am gives them hope. They feel it is not only about me but also about them and that they feel they have ‘arrived’.

It has been 24 years in Canada. This is my home. The excitement has sustained over time; the greenery is symbolic of the possibility and promise; change is still my companion and now it is about change not from the lens of Me the individual but We the collective. My journey of hope continues for all new Canadians …