MOOSE JAW — You’re invited to an upcoming community event hosted by the Prairie Skies Integration Network of Moose Jaw where newcomers can share their struggles and successes on the topics of immigration and integration this February.
The community conversation is completely free and will take place at the Moose Jaw Events Centre from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
“It’s a community conversation on integration, and basically it’s a collaborative event designed to foster meaningful dialogue and build stronger connections between newcomers and the host communities in our region,” said Jide Kassim, assistant project manager of Prairie Skies Integration Network.
The goal of the event is to develop a mutual understanding between residents and to address, explore, and find meaningful solutions to some of the biggest challenges that new residents face in the region.
“We all know about immigration, and we know that immigration has these opportunities,” Kassim said. “It also has challenges. So, we want to create an atmosphere whereby newcomers and host communities come together to discuss and talk, understand each other, and to bring up some good solutions (to any ongoing issues or concerns that they have).”
The conversation will take place across two broad formats and will begin with a lunch provided courtesy of Prairie Skies.
A panel discussion will start the afternoon event and panellists selected from a diverse range of backgrounds will speak with an opportunity for questions and answers to follow.
These speakers will represent the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT), Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), business owners, settlement agencies and service providers in the area, and newcomers themselves with voices from Davidson, Sask., to Assiniboia, Sask.
This lineup includes Craig Hemingway, the director of strategic growth for the City of Moose Jaw, Jaella Wiebe, executive director of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC), and a representative from Simpson Seeds.
Next, everyone will be invited to form smaller breakout discussions to continue the dialogue and speak their mind on the topics of immigration and integration.
“We know that some people might not want to talk to the open audience, so we want to give them the opportunity to be able to speak among a smaller group of people,” Kassim said.
The objective is to raise awareness about immigration, explore its impact on local communities, gather insights to better understand what barriers exist for newcomers, and to strengthen existing partnerships with local stakeholders.
The three key topics for the day will include an exploration of the business benefits of multicultural teams, how to navigate opportunities and challenges from a newcomer’s perspective, and how to build “stronger, lasting communities.”
A follow-up report will then be compiled through Prairie Skies and later shared with related authorities on a consultation basis.
“When it comes to policy implementation or development, hopefully that (additional information) will help,” he said.
Kassim wished to share that, despite numerous challenges during the immigration process, there are “also very wonderful opportunities and successes… as well.”
“We just encourage everyone to come out on that day and let your voices be heard,” Kassim said. “Most importantly… let’s build communities that help every single person to succeed.”
Although the discussion is free to attend, organizers ask prospective guests to “purchase” a ticket online through EventBrite.ca at https://tinyurl.com/3xehvzej. This is meant to ensure enough food is provided for the free luncheon and to account for the limited venue capacity of 120 guests.
Prairie Skies Integration Network is located at 432 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-690-2324. For more information visit PSINetwork.ca.
The Moose Jaw Events Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.
