Newcomers and Refugees in Niagara: Community Forum

A day of learning and discussion about newcomers and refugees in Niagara featuring informative panels and keynote speaker, Zarqa Nawaz. Zarqa is the author of “Laughing All the Way to the Mosque” and creator of the hit CBC TV show “Little Mosque on the Prairie.”

Morning panelists for On the Ground in Niagara:

• Jeff Burch, Executive Director of Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
• Velma Lang, retired ESL teacher, LINC Language assessor and refugee sponsor
• Martha Mason, Executive Director of Fort Erie Multicultural Centre
• Moses Moini, Refugee Program Coordinator, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario
• Rohaina Saqib, Coordinator, Settlement Workers in Schools, YMCA Niagara

The afternoon panel discussion, Local Voices, Local Stories, will feature newcomers to Niagara from China, Colombia, Syria, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

Afternoon breakout groups:

• Why Niagara? – consulting about Niagara Region’s new immigration portal – Dave Raymond, Region of Niagara
• Refugees, Settlement and Anti-Racism – discussion – Tamari Kitossa, Brock University
• Safe Third Country Protocol – presentation – Martha Mason – Fort Erie Multicultural Centre
• Empowering Women – guided discussion – Nyarai Kapisavanhu – TOES Niagara

This community forum is presented by Fort Erie Multicultural Centre, Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, Seedling for Change in History, Silver Spire United Church, Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre, and the YMCA of Niagara.