Community
Summer in the City to host citizenship ceremony of celebration
A citizenship ceremony is taking place on the Saturday of Summer in the City (SITC), June 15th at 1 pm. Gwen Reimer, Program Director for Eastman Immigrant Services (EIS), says they are going to be welcoming and celebrating the new citizens that EIS has welcomed to Canada. “They have taken this step of coming here, they have gone through the process of preparing, taking their oath, etc. And so we're going to be on stage with them and with the dignitaries who are going to be giving a little welcome speech and celebrating what they have accomplished." The celebration will be a part of Cultures in the City. “You've got the people around you, the food is a huge drawing card for people, and then with the citizenship celebration that EIS puts on, it just all works together very nicely.” She explains why this citizenship ceremony is special. “It signifies a warm welcome and recognition of their new citizenship status. It involves various events and activities to integrate these newcomers into the Canadian society, which fosters a sense of belonging and celebrates cultural diversity.” Reimer says sometimes people who were born here in Canada may take things, such as a feeling of belonging, for granted. “Some of them have come from hardship, some of them have had to prepare for a very long time just to come. And when they've done the preparation, they've taken the tests, they've done the oath, they've done what they need to actually become that citizen, it's overwhelming for them, but it's very, very exciting, and they just they feel like they've accomplished so much.” She says this ceremony is a great way to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments and achievements. “It's a way to acknowledge and honor the journey that some of these newcomers have taken to become Canadian citizens, and reinforces the importance of unity and acceptance within society.” Reimer says this is a way that people can celebrate what they have accomplished, and see that people are celebrating with them. “It's part of the identity and belonging, where they feel they are important, they feel connected to the country. And with the dignitaries attending and recognizing them, giving some speeches, it's just a feeling of ‘I belong, this is where I want to stay.’” With files from Carly Koop