Immigrants in the Battlefords experience a variety of traditions at Christmas time, familiar and foreign. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Season of adjustments

Quiet holidays for Battlefords immigrants

Jan 6, 2021 | 6:00 PM

Canadians with Ukranian heritage are set to celebrate Ukranian Christmas on Jan. 7. However, they weren’t the only Canadians that have a different experience around the holidays.

The holiday season is often an overwhelming time for families and even more so for those experiencing them in a different country. Fortunately, there are groups dedicated to supporting them as they transition. The Battlefords Immigrant Resource Centre (BIRC) helps newcomers to Canada in their adjustment to the area and try to provide as much joy and goodwill as possible in December. SWIS worker Melodie Chaing said it’s a wonderful time for BIRC, which has partnered with other organizations for events in years past, something that was tempered by the pandemic.

“That’s a huge thing that people were looking forward to,” Chaing said. “I think everyone is just excited to experience that first traditional Canadian Christmas, with the tree, lights, snow.”

One adjustment that most immigrating to Canada face is the weather. Chaing said many of their clients are quite taken aback by the temperatures during the winter, but also how snow feels.

“Seeing snow on TV is a lot different than walking in it and brushing it off your car,” she said.

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Despite gathering limitations, BIRC was able to coordinate a Christmas cookie decorating party via Zoom, helping connect families with one another and learn about their different traditions.

“We listened to Christmas Carols, asked questions about how their families celebrate back home,” Chaing said. “That was a highlight this Christmas.”

(Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre)

For many, it’s also a chance to highlight how they feel about having made their new home.

“There’s a huge abundance of gratitude when they are finally here,” Chaing said.

A female client Suma James, who experienced her second Christmas in the Battlefords with her family, said 2020 was an adjustment compared to 2019.

“This year was different due to COVID,” she said. “It was a time to rest.”

James, whose family immigrated to Canada from India, said they enjoyed baking, decorations and cooking, while also getting an opportunity to go to church. She’s most looking forward to the opportunity to meet with more people in person at some point this year.

Settlement Coordinator Tina Castillo, who’s spent almost nine years in the Battlefords, said there are a number of differences here, compared to her home country of the Philippines. Celebration of the holiday season begins in early September there.

“Most of the shopping malls, even households, have started creating their Christmas Trees and putting up decorations,” she said. “In the Philippines, we already have lots of parties going on before Christmas Day.”

However, Castillo said there are still more similarities around the holiday itself.

“Aside from the weather, it’s mostly the same,” she said. “Everyone enjoys Christmas and that Christmas spirit. You feel it, you can feel the warmness.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports