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Thursday, June 28, 2007
by Alex McCuaig
Brooks Bulletin
For many native Canadians, July 1 represents an annual holiday to celebrate the birth of a country. For a large portion of the citizens of Brooks, it represents a day to rejoice in new found freedoms and opportunities many people take for granted.
The city and country has seen a large influx of immigrants from across the planet in recent years, and with good reason.
With wars and persecution of minorities the mainstay of several countries on all continents, the principals developed over the last 140 years in Canada have acted as a beacon of hope for those wishing to escape the tyranny and slaughter in their native lands.
Brooks resident and soon to be Canadian citizen, Abdi Dawid, knows the story well.
Originally from Ethiopia, Dawid came to the country six years ago after spending nine years as a refugee in Djibouti (a small country on the horn of Africa).
He is reluctant to call himself Ethiopian though, preferring Oromo - a distinct indigenous culture located predominantly in eastern Ethiopia.
“I couldn’t say I’m Oromo or I’d be arrested. So I left,” he said.
“Even now I can’t go back or I’ll be arrested and I haven’t seen my extended family for 15 years.”
In recent years, concerns over the treatment of Oromos have come to the attention of human rights groups and governments.
Last week the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the sentencing of 38 opposition leaders to jail and death.
Members of a commission of inquiry set up by the Ethiopian government to look at irregularities during their last election were forced to flee when they reported the results were falsified, according to the European Parliament.
“I came to Canada because it represents freedom,” Dawid said.
“Back home I would see it on TV and read about it in books.”
Dawid said when he decided to come to this country he started carrying a small Canadian flag in his wallet.
He married in Djibouti and they had a son and daughter before he was allowed to emigrate. His wife and daughter joined him in 2004 while his son had to wait until last May before being reunited with the rest of the family. The Dawids have had a second daughter since being together again - the first Canadian in the family.
“I came here with only $100, so I came to Brooks in 2001 to work at Lakeside,” he said.
“Now I have a house, a car and a better life than I did in Africa.”
While getting himself and his family here was a struggle, Dawid said completing the process of citizenship has involved a lot of hard work.
“My first application was rejected after waiting one year,” he said.
“I went to Monte Solberg’s office and they helped me write another letter and after two years of calling every day they told me the Calgary office has had some problems.”
Dawid persisted and last month wrote his citizenship test. He said now he has to wait for the results before being officially sworn in as a citizen.
“This is the best country,” he said.
“I have a reason to stay in Brooks, my wife can work and we can take care of our children.”
Dawid said Lakeside has given many immigrants the chance to work and escape countries where they didn’t have the opportunities that Brooks offers. An active member of the community, Dawid said he enjoys helping to improve Brooks.
He recently worked for the city on the municipal census and since 2002 has taken part in the Canada Day celebrations at the museum and Kinsmen rodeo grounds as part of the Brooks Oromo Community Group.
“Every July 1 we celebrate with the people of Canada. We make food and dance our traditional dances,” he said.
“We are ready to join with Canadians again this year.”
Members of several dozen different ethnic groups from around the world currently living in Brooks will be celebrating Canada - and the freedoms it offers - this weekend at events throughout the city and county.
http://www.brooksbulletin.com/news/lifestyles.asp?itemid=63745
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