Friday 26 May 2023
Citizenship ceremony in Ottawa
by Ruth Aman
This May thousands of people across the nation proudly took the Canadian Oath of Citizenship in honour of Citizenship Week 2023. Held from May 22nd to May 28, Canada hosted Citizenship ceremonies throughout the country in which individuals could come and celebrate their newfound identity.
One celebration was held on May 26th in the Nation’s capital. Selected participants were invited to the National Gallery of Canada for a ceremony organized by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). This celebration included a roundtable discussion, refreshments, the Oath ceremony, and speeches from many esteemed guests such as Member of Parliament Marie-France Lalonde, Director of the Gallery Angela Cassie, and CEO of the ICC Daniel Bernhard. There to host the event was the ICC’s Event Specialist Maria-Jesus Diaz.
As people arrived, they were seated at tables where the roundtable discussion would commence. Each table had a host who would lead conversations and guide the table into a discussion about their story of coming to Canada, the challenges they faced, and what the day meant for them. Diaz opened up the celebration with a great warm welcome from the ICC and a congratulatory message for those who would receive their citizenship later on. Elder Irene Compton was introduced to perform the Land acknowledgement.
The roundtable discussions then began and those at the table bonded over shared stories and dreams. Many had left desperate circumstances and came to Canada hoping for a better life. Others came were leaving circumstances and hoping for a better life in Canada for their family and children. Others were fleeing war and conflict.
Following the discussion time was given for each table to nominate an individual to share something they learned. One woman shared that she had come to Canada from Morocco in 2018. “I come from a country which is very different from here. Over there it is very hot and here is cold! But I am so thankful and happy to create memorable memories here with my kids. I will never take this for granted.”
Guests were then welcome to take their seats in front of the podium to begin the ceremony as speakers and the citizenship judge approached the stage. Citizenship Judge Rania Sfeir, who has expertise in the areas of communications, public relations, and business development, gave brief remarks. She stated that ‘citizenship is not a passive state but an active state of life’ meaning that as citizens they should freely engage in the affairs around them. They should vote, participate in events, make their voices heard, and share their culture with those around them. She also opened up about her own story reflecting on how she too also came to Canada. She reminded those listening that though everyone’s path may not be the same, their values are all the same because they all chose to make Canada their home.
She then led everyone into taking the Oath of Citizenship. Newcomers were asked to raise their right hand and make the pledge. With big smiles and loud cheers, the crowd roared after hearing Judge Rania say, ‘Congratulations, you are now a Canadian citizen’.
The new citizens then were called up by name and given their signed certificates. Many of their family members were filled with tears in their eyes and pure joy during this moment. After each individual received their certificate, a young woman led the crowd in a beautiful rendition of the Canadian anthem ‘O Canada’.
MP Lalonde was then invited to speak and warmly welcomed all the new Canadians as being official Canadians. According to her, everyone plays a great part in writing the next part of Canada’s history. That being said, she charged all listening to be committed to learning about Canada, to reconciliation, and to great citizenship. Cassie and Berhard also spoke and congratulated those who had just joined the nation’s great heritage and welcomed them to discover Canada by going to museums, national parks, and historic sites and by reaching out to organizations that are available to support them in this new journey.
After the speeches, guests were treated to a special violin performance by Kathryn Patricia Cobbler. Cobbler was one of CBC Ottawa’s 2021 Trailblazers and has also received many awards such as the Emerging Artist’s Award. This concluded the ceremony and guests were given time to talk with each other while being served a lunch that was catered by the Gallery.
Ruth Aman is a Project Officer with Black History Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Global and International Studies (Honors) degree, with a specialization in Law and Social Justice from Carleton University