Karibuni in the West!

Karibuni is a documentary that recounts the experiences of Franco-African immigrants in Western Canada. Beyond Words met with Victor Moke-Ngala, associate director and screenwriter of this documentary. Here are his thoughts on the integration of French-speaking newcomers to Canada.

In your opinion, what are the main challenges French-speaking immigrants face during their first year in ?

I believe there are two significant challenges that can have an enormous influence on the integration of French-speaking immigrants during their first year in Canada. The first challenge is to quickly locate available services and resources. The second is social integration in a broader sense. These two challenges are key to successful integration.

Upon arrival in Canada, immigrants receive information from many sources, often contradictory. There are government institutions whose information is official and available through most government or community agencies responsible for delivering programs at all levels: federal, provincial and municipal. Despite the relevance of their work, these organizations do not always help immigrants rebuild their social networks.  

Ethnic community groups are therefore important, and often formed by people of the same ethnic background as the immigrant. Through these groups, immigrants rebuild their social networks: members usually share the same language, culture, etc. Unfortunately, these groups are often not well organized and have few resources. Also, they depend almost exclusively on volunteers, which can have a negative impact on the integration process for immigrants.

The other challenge is integrating into local Francophone communities surrounded by a majority of English speakers. These communities have fought and continue to fight to establish their own distinct culture with their own linguistic and cultural rights. The arrival of immigrants is too often perceived as a threat to this distinctness. Therefore, it is difficult for newcomers to integrate into this group, and their hope of creating a social network within it diminishes.  

In your opinion, how do newcomers picture life in French in Canada before coming here?

For most of us French-speaking immigrants from black Africa, Francophone Canada is Quebec and New Brunswick. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality. I believe the Government of Canada does not work hard enough to promote, internationally, the French presence in other parts of Canada. It’s often only after they arrive in Canada that some immigrants learn French-speaking communities exist across the country. For me personally, when I was in Africa, I never heard of an initiative that promoted Canada’s Francophone communities outside Quebec. However, since I’ve been in Alberta, and no doubt because of my interest in the issue, I’m now aware of the missions that the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA) organizes abroad to attract French-speaking immigrants to Francophone communities outside Quebec. It would be great if associations such as the Association de la communauté congolaise d’Edmonton or the Association multiculturelle francophone de l’Alberta got involved in foreign recruitment missions.

How can immigrants better integrate into Francophone communities?

The institutions in host Francophone communities must really want to help. A lot of effort has been put into welcoming, of course, but the issue of socio-professional integration of immigrants within Francophone communities needs to be addressed.

In your opinion, what can newcomers bring to the Francophone community?

They help to promote the growth, vitality and diversity of the Francophone community. Today, Canada is a diverse country. Francophone communities should follow the path of diversity by integrating people from various backgrounds who choose to live in French. These immigrants bring new life to French culture outside Quebec.