Doctor in Training - Life as a PhD Student

“ We would not have been Canadians if we had turned our backs on them [Ugandan Asian refugees] ”  – Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Toronto Star , September 25, 1972 In the wake of another heartbreaking story surrounding a Syrian refugee family denied entry to Canada and their tragic deaths, we are reminded that Canada is no longer on the outskirts of the current refugee crisis. With more than 60 million refugees world wide , a number that surpasses the levels of displacement following the conclusion of the Second World War, the international community is left wondering how things have taken such a dramatic turn in the wrong direction. But, what has been Canada’s response to the conflict in Syria and the droves of refugees it has created? 10,000 refugees over 3 years. The Harper government has applauded themselves for this well publicized and humanitarian endeavour but how does this compare to Canada’s history? What have been our previ...

Here's the latest from the adventure from the archives series! I hope you enjoy taking a look :) What:  A welcoming guide for Ugandan Asian refugees Who: Secretary of State and the Citizenship Branch When: December 1st 1972 Where: Canada So what: Showcases exactly what the Canadian government wanted refugees to know regarding life in Canada. It also reinforces the importance of collaboration between the several departments within the federal government and local NGOs, religious groups, and volunteers in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for newly arrived refugees. Here are some very interesting excerpts from the document: page 1 click to zoom " In addition, Uganda Asian committees have been set up in larger cities to assist you with your adjustment to your new homeland. They include representative of government, community organizations and the Asian community in Canada. " The welcome brochure outlines specifically how there are several Ugand...

This latest update looks at a hilarious little document I found regarding the 'interesting' things Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada like to eat! What:  The 1st monthly newsletter sent to all Ugandan Asian settlement committees across Canada Who: : This report is from Sarnia's Food Subcommittee When:    December 7th 1972 Where:     Sarnia, Ontario So What:  Showcases how interested these committees were in helping out the refugee community in any way they could. Remember these were voluntary bodies that did receive some government funding which mainly paid for the facilities and secretarial staff. This is a reminder of how well settlement operations work when local communities (no matter how big or small), volunteer groups, and the government collaborate with each other. Click to zoom As always here are some of my comments and analysis on parts of the report: The best part by far in this newsletter is the underlining and emphasis on PLA...

Hey there blog world! This week's adventure from the archives is definitely one that a few people have been waiting for. Fortunately, I was able to track down Trudeau's response as I've been making my way through the research I collected over the summer. What: The response from Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau to Major-General and President Idi Amin's original letter explaining why he had expelled the Asians When: January 17th 1973 Where: Uganda So what:   This letter outlines the rhetoric used by the Prime Minister to showcase how Uganda's expulsion decree violates basic principles of equality and how Canada has chosen to withdraw significant forms of economic aid since Canada does not support their decision. Unfortunately, I was not able to find that original letter just yet in the archives but I was able to find a telex which directly quoted the Prime Minister's letter. I have transcribed it in full below and don't worry I have added my...

Hey there blog world! Here is the latest post form the Adventures from the Archives Series . This time we'll be taking a look at the initial report regarding the settlement of those refugees that came to Canada by the end of November 1972 What: Report respecting to the Special Movement of Ugandan Asians Who: From the Director General Mr. M.G. Clark of the Foreign Service to Assistant Deputy Minister of Manpower and Immigration Mr. James Cross When: December 5th 1972 Where: Ottawa So What: The report outlines the early integration of Ugandan Asian refugees in terms of employment along with the interest of the Canadian government in recruiting some of the most enterprising and business savvy refugees. The report makes it quite clear that refugees were settled across the country.   The first page of the document outlines the basics of the operation in Uganda including how many visas were issued and the general operations on the ground in Kampala Uganda. The second page ...

Hello blog world! Sorry for the massive delay in writing another adventure from the archives. Things have been a little hectic but the good news is that a potential publication on Ugandan Asians in Canada may be available for all of you to read in the coming months! Without any further ado let's get into this week's find from the archives. We have an updated memorandum to cabinet from September 1972 and it follows up from the previous memorandum submitted in August featured in adventure from the archives part II . What: Memorandum to the Prime Minister's office/ Cabinet Who: Sent by Bryce Mackasey, Minister for Manpower and Immigration When: September 13th 1972 Where: Ottawa So What: Marks the first official increase of Ugandan Asian expellees to come to Canada and proposes that Canada accept anyone who qualifies under the points system as well as an additional 1,000 who would require special humanitarian assistance. p age 1...

Hey everyone, this is a 15 minute youtube clip that features the full presentation I made at the 2014 Mobility and Immobility Conference held at Western University this past April. It explores the concept of diaspora and encourages listeners to challenge their definitions of home and belonging. The conference was hosted by Ryerson University's Centre of Immigration and Settlement and Western University's Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations .  The presentation itself was well received and I am also grateful to the audience as well as my supervisor for their feedback. I do believe the presentation could have been delivered more effectively with a less reading off the page and definitely a lot fewer "umms" especially in the beginning. I'm always striving to improve my presentation skills so please don't be shy to let me know where things could be better. There's always room for improvement :)  

Hello blog world! Here is the latest instalment of the adventures from the archives series. This week features an early press release after the initial expulsion period ended on November 3rd 1972. What:  Press release on Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada Who: Robert Andras (the new Minister for Manpower and Immigration after Bryce Mackasey) When: December 5th 1972 Where: Ottawa So what? The press release makes in quite clear that there was a considerable amount of assistance on the ground for resettling Ugandan Asian such as courses under the Canada Manpower Training Program and the 12 Ugandan Asian committees set up across Canada. Page 3 - Click to zoom Page 1 - Click to zoom Page 2 - Click to zoom Take a look at this short press release to get a sense of how Ugandan Asian refugees were initially adapting to Canadian society. Some highlights and statics from the press release are: " Nearly 50% of the 2,200 Ugandan Asians who registered for employment...

Hello blog world, Here is the latest segment of the adventure from the archives series. This week's article is a cabinet submission to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau  two days before Canada announced their decision to send an immigration team to Kampala. I encourage you to read through the actual memorandum but as always I have included some highlights below :) What: Memorandum to the parliamentary cabinet Who: Bryce Mackasey - Minister of Manpower and Immigration When: August 22nd 1972 Where: Ottawa So what: The document makes it clear that there were several motives behind Canada's involvement in the resettlement of Ugandan Asian refugees. It also highlights the complications as to whether this was just an excellent opportunity to accept a large number of highly skilled individuals, to appease Britain's pressure to get involved, or the Canadian government acting on pure humanitarian intentions. Was is truly opportunism or humanitarianism? As you'...

Hello blog world! Here is the latest segment of the adventures from the archives series. This week we have some absolutely fascinating pages written by Idi Amin himself!  What: A letter addressed to Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau from President of Uganda Idi Amin addressing the expulsion decree Who: Prime Minister Trudeau and President / Major General Idi Amin When : October 14th 1974  Where: Hand delivered to PM. Trudeau in Paris Why: This letter is in response to PM. Trudeau's initial letter which encouraged President Amin to reconsider the expulsion decree So what:  Provides a crucial historical evidence of the motivations of President Amin. Using his own words President Amin justifies the expulsion decree and makes it very clear that he will not reconsider the decree he had issued on August 4th 1972. Here  are a couple highlights from the letter that stuck out for me: " Since colonial days, the economy of Uganda especially ...

Hello blog world,  Here is the latest instalment from the adventures from the archives series. I was fortunate enough to be granted access to personal correspondence between the Aga Khan and Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau . I had always wondered how close these two actually were especially considering how it has taken on a life of its own within the Ismaili community in Canada.  It turns out that they were actually very close friends. Beyond the fact that the Aga Khan was a honorary pallbearer  at Prime Minister Trudeau's funeral and that Justin Trudeau commonly refers to the Aga Khan as " Uncle Karim ", these letters showcased how they were indeed good friends. Their letters were often signed off with "in friendship". The photo that I have included was from a letter PM. Trudeau had sent to the Aga Khan congratulating him and his wife at the time Princess Salima on the birth of their first child Princess Zahra .  A photo of Princess Z...