Immigration in the Okanagan: A Syilx Perspective
Authors:
Jeannette Armstrong
Date:
2015
ISBN: 978-0-9950486-0-7
Abstract:
As part of the 2015 Immigration Symposium, Jeannette Armstrong discusses impact of Canadian policy on immigrants, refugees and temporary foreign workers. We have identified two key areas of concern, and will look at these through multiple lenses, beginning with an Okanagan and Syilx perspective:
1) The difficulties in the current system for community groups interested in sponsoring people, and help settle and support refugees, which is creating challenges in achieving refugee resettlement goals and effective outcomes.
2) The consequences of immigration policies and practices shaped solely by economics – such as the temporary foreign worker program – for achieving social and social justice related goals. Dr. Jeannette Armstrong speaks to the Syilx perspectives of social justice before colonization and after colonization to bring into account who immigrants are to the Syilx.
The Immigration Symposium was held at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus in 2015 and this video was published by ICER Press in 2016.
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Jeannette Armstrong was born in 1948 and grew up on the Penticton Indian Reserve in British Columbia. Armstrong is the first Native woman novelist from Canada. Interestingly, she is also the grandniece of Hum-Ishu-Ma (Mourning Dove, b. 1927), the first Native American woman novelist. While growing up on the Penticton Indian Reserve, Armstrong received a traditional education from Okanagan Elders and her family. From them, she learned the Okanagan Indian language. She is still a fluent speaker of the Okanagan language today.In 1978, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Victoria. The same year, she received a Diploma of Fine Arts from Okanagan College. Her education was a precursor to many remarkable career achievements. Today, Armstrong is a writer, teacher, artist, sculptor, and activist for indigenous rights."
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Use these keywords to search below for related publications with ICER Press.
Syilx, territory, Immigrant policies, immigration, refugees, temporary foreign workers, colonization, social justice
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