Toronto / December 2024
I am having one of those moments where competing emotions are screwing with my heart and head and soul. I am sharing space at this very moment that I’m writing this, with a diversity of organizations and groups in a light-filled room in the aesthetically beautiful Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre gathering place in Winnipeg.
The background sounds are of laughter and excited conversations about strategies and collaboration and deepening fear about the growing polarization; but also of shared hope and joy in the possibilities and opportunities. The conversations are about this political moment in which we find ourselves, here in this land that we often praise as the most welcoming to all in need of safety and protection. The discussions are about equity and racial justice. About capitalism and colonialism. About solidarity and building relations - bridges between and among us as we recommit to charting a progressive path forward, together.
A vision of a Four Directions House (based on the Indigenous teachings of the Four Directions representing the four ‘racial groups’ of this earth) where Joy is the centring principle and point of solidarity.
At the same time - and perhaps sparked by some of these same conversations this dynamic gathering has been having, there is simmering rage that I feel in my unhealed Bell’s palsied left face. A tightening of muscles and twisting of mouth as I absorb the mini shocks as news slowly emerges about cuts to sector agencies. About the impact on smaller organizations and grassroots groups that have received negative responses to their proposals seeking support for their important work. The work to settle and provide opportunities for im/migrants and refugees to be included and to develop a sense of belonging to their new home.
I think the rage is not so much the reduction in funds – some of that was anticipated with the sharp decrease in targets for new im/migrants over the next three years or so, but it’s the piling up of actions by the governments on immigration policy and other public policies that negatively impact refugees and immigrants and racialized and disabled, and minority faith communities and women and 2SLGBTI+ people. It is all of it. It is the centuries of anti-Black racism on this land and the over five hundred years (to current day) of settler colonialism that is feeding this rage.
If I was asked even four years ago or so, if this federal government would send out messages warning refugees and others in need of protection not to look to Canada, I would have called you out of your name. I would have defended, using their own words (see Mendicino and Trudeau circa 2020/2021) the government’s record of opening our doors and borders to all who sought protection. I would remind you that this isn’t 2012 and around that whole period when our federal government had billboards across Europe warning Roma people not to come to Canada for protection. Once again, most of the world’s displaced are in the geopolitical south. They are primarily racialized. And once again we have a federal government, wearing different political colours this time around, taking out social media ads, billboards and news stories; warning refugees and refugee claimants not to look to Canada for protection. It was racist and xenophobic then. And it is racist and xenophobic now. Shame!
On November 29 the federal government announced a temporary pause on intake of refugee sponsorship applications from groups of five and community sponsors, until December 31 2025. All this while acknowledging that for over 40 years Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program has been a model for other countries around the world, has brought thousands of refugees to safety in Canada, and there is an ongoing high demand for sponsorship. All costs for PSR applicants are covered by private Canadian residents. The application backlog and long processing times are mentioned as reasons for the pause. But refugees whose lives are at risk daily cannot afford to wait.
I am looking to my tools of breath work and positive self-talk to bring down my blood pressure. I summon my ancestors- calling them in to surround me and all who work for a just and fair world. I pause, and listen, and let the sounds of the voices of my sector and movement family embrace me, surrounding me with deep laughter and brilliant exchanges. I breathe deeply, turning to gratitude for this moment, for this space of healing, for this moment when people from the four directions gathered in the meeting place of one to build relations and to say yes to joy and solidarity.
To all the communities who come together in faith and spirit at this time of year, shine the light for all of humanity. We are committed to building a society that it grounded in justice and equity for all.
Walk Good
dd