Dozens of Yellowknife newcomers were welcomed to the city on Saturday at an event featuring certificates, speeches and northern snacks.
Almost 40 people assembled at the NWT Legislative Assembly and then toured the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre for the third edition of “Welcoming Day for Newcomers.”
The event, which is free and bilingual, is organized by La Fédération franco-ténoise to recognize the contributions of newcomers.
Eli Nasogaluak and Stacey Drygeese offered guided tours at the museum. Later in the afternoon, people gathered at the cafeteria for stew and bannock prepared by Ruby Blake-Heron.
According to Lisa Boisneault – from the city’s Communauté francophone accueillante, or francophone welcoming community – the first welcome event, which happened during the pandemic, was much smaller in scale.
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“It was totally different. Not as big and it was more a tour of the city,” she said, adding the program decided it was necessary to formally dedicate a day to newcomers so they can learn about the community.
Initially, the event was held at Yellowknife’s farmers’ market. The organizers then decided to partner with the museum.
The 2023 welcoming event had close to 250 attendees.
This year’s event took place a month after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reduced the annual allotment for a key immigration program across all provinces and territories.
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The NWT was previously able to accept 300 people annnually through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, or NTNP, but the yearly limit is now set at 150.
Many immigrants rely on the stream to be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
Steve St Pierre, director of labour development and standards at the NWT government, told attendees the Department of Education, Culture and Employment remains “very much committed” to the program while it prepares to reopen NTNP in a manner that’s “fair and equitable.”
Boisneault said welcoming events hold a lot of importance at times when immigration is in the headlines.
“In a time of crisis, when you have a lack of accommodations, people can have some feelings about it,” she said, alluding to the lack of available housing in Yellowknife.
“I like to show in my activities that newcomers are not only people in need, they’re also people who offer [benefits] to the new communities.
“Some of them are going to open restaurants, be on the job market, and provide all their skills to this.”
