Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

MOMENTS AFTER TOUCHING DOWN – The second Syrian family sponsored by the Riverdale Baptist Church arrived Thursday evening. Seen at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport are, left to right, Mohamed Omar, Rameen, Shereen (being hugged) and Eva Omar.

Syrians eager to start new life in Whitehorse

Yukoners welcomed a third Syrian refugee family to Whitehorse Thursday night.

By Emily Blake on March 31, 2017

Yukoners welcomed a third Syrian refugee family to Whitehorse Thursday night.

About 30 people, largely members of the Riverdale Baptist Church, waited anxiously at the airport for the Omar family to arrive.

Armed with balloons, signs and presents, they applauded and embraced the family as they walked through the gate.

“So far, their reaction has been really positive and hopeful,” Hillary Gladish, a church representative, told the Star earlier this week.

“They’ve really expressed an interest in being here.”

Since the family learned they would be moving to the city, she noted, they have been researching and asking lots of questions about life in Whitehorse.

Among the group welcoming the Omars were the Ahmet family, Syrian refugees who arrived in the city six months ago.

Mother Semra Ahmet, who started learning english after she arrived, expressed her excitement at getting to meet the new family. She said she looks forward to making friends with them and talking about home.

The Omars, who are Kurdish, left Syria for Iraq almost three years ago due to the civil war which began in 2011.

They travelled for five days before reaching Whitehorse due to flight delays.

Riverdale Baptist, who sponsored the family, has secured a two-bedroom apartment for the family in Riverdale and will help them get accustomed to life in the Yukon.

The social justice club at F.H. Collins helped to set up and decorate the children’s room.

Gladish said they have learned more about the family through contact with Mohamed by email.

“He told us a little bit about his family and how the kids are learning English,” she said.

“He just told us about their life in Iraq and what they’re hopeful to do here.”

The couple are well-educated and fluent in English. Mohamed has a PhD in geography and Shereen has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and languages.

“We’re helping them reach out and looking for different opportunities,” Gladish said of finding employment for the couple.

She explained that the church was connected to the family through the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada. That supporting agency works as a mediator between the Canadian government and sponsorship groups.

The organization identified the Omar family as a potentially good fit for the church to sponsor.

Riverdale Baptist has been working on bringing them to the territory for almost a year and a half.

This is not the first family that the church has sponsored to come to Whitehorse. In September 2016, the Ahmet family of five, was the second Syrian refugee family to arrive in the territory.

The first were the 11 members of the Arafat family, sponsored by Yukon Cares.

Both families were sponsored under Canada’s blended visa program where the federal government provides six months of support and private sponsors provide the other six months.

“The blended visa program, to our understanding, helps families that potentially don’t have financial capabilities, or maybe some of the children have a health issue or a disability, or they have more difficulties transferring employment,” explained Gladish.

But the Omars are being privately sponsored, which means the church is responsible for raising the funds to sponsor them for the entire year.

Gladish said financial sponsorship is based on where the family is going and what the social assistance rates are there.

Riverdale Baptist was able to raise $45,000 for the Omar family, with Yukon Cares also contributing $15,000 and the Yukon government chipping in $18,000.

The church raised the funds through congregation members and fundraising events, including selling truffles at the Spruce Bog and Global Village craft fairs, and a spaghetti dinner.

Gladish said the Ahmet family has been settling in fairly well to life in Whitehorse. They take the bus three orfour times a week to the multicultural centre to take English classes, and the kids have been attending school at Christ the King Elementary.

The two boys have also been playing soccer while the young girl has been taking piano lessons.

“They’re reaching out, they’re making friends and connections, just being active in the community,” said Gladish.

But she noted they have faced challenges, which are to be expected when moving to a new community.

This includes learning a new language, adjusting to the cold climate, and being far away from the rest of their family.

The Ahmet family were welcomed to the community during a luncheon hosted by the church where they were able to “put faces to names.”

Gladish expects they will have the same warm welcome for the Omars once they are settled in.

More Syrian refugees began arriving in Canada following a promise by the federal Liberal government to resettle 25,000 refugees from Syria by the end of 2015.

This goal was actually reached by the end of February 2016, with most settling in Ontario.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, as of Jan. 29 of this year, 40, 081 Syrian refugees have settled in communities across Canada.

Of that figure, 21,876 refugees were funded through government assistance, 14,274 were privately sponsored and 3,931 were funded through the blended visa program.

When it comes to where refugee claimants are settled in Canada, Gladish explained they can sometimes request a location, often if they already have family members there. But most Syrian refugees know little about different jurisdictions in Canada.

“I think that a lot of people, they’re just seeking some place to come and for them they don’t know much more about Canada other than that it’s a safe country,” she said.

Comments (30)

Up 15 Down 8

Jeff on Apr 5, 2017 at 12:20 pm

Agnes. I have an idea the church was heavily involved in residential schools. Is that the kind of help you mean?

Up 14 Down 5

Jeff Blackburn on Apr 4, 2017 at 10:12 pm

Now I feel bad, I didn't mean to taint their arrival with anything negative. That wasn't the intention. I made an observation that I knew would stir the pot. I want to extend my welcome to this family for sure. I sincerely hope this works out for the Omar family, I think it will really.

Up 7 Down 12

Agnes on Apr 4, 2017 at 9:38 pm

Jeff Blackburn you have absolutely no idea what the local churches do for local people. Why don't you find out before you judge them. Then get out and do something for others before you criticize.

Up 22 Down 9

Daniel on Apr 4, 2017 at 3:39 pm

Its sad to see how people can take a good thing and warp it. Yes, there are many needs in Whitehorse, and in every other community alike.
I'm thrilled the Omar family has finally made it here!

Up 12 Down 12

Jeff Blackburn on Apr 4, 2017 at 2:46 pm

Help Yukoners first
Nice judgemental view you hold on your fellow man. " I agree with Simon and Yukoner--and for some of us, giving people who party, smoke, do drugs and blow all of their dough on everything but their kids is not where we want we our money going." Some of these people have problems from the last time the Church interfered in their lives and now you wash your hands of them. Nice. What do they teach in Church anyway?

Up 12 Down 10

Jeff Blackburn on Apr 4, 2017 at 1:05 pm

I am glad you all feel great about this...I do too. I am glad we helped this family. I'd still like to see the churches work as hard as this for Yukoners. If that bothers you, ask yourself what you have against Yukoners. I heard somewhere 'Charity starts at home'. So you can take this at face value or you can make assumptions about the spirit in which this is written and think mean thoughts about me. Don't worry, I am sure you're all going to Heaven....

Up 34 Down 23

GreenerYukoner on Apr 3, 2017 at 8:19 pm

Jeff, refugees and Canadian homeless people are two different things. This refugee family has parents who are highly educated. A post-doctorate degree. These people are here because their country has been torn apart by war. They didn't choose to become refugees. A Canadian who was born in Canada has had every opportunity to pursue an education, get a job, get a place to live. All in safety. No government soldiers waging a civil war. No chemical bombs being dropped on homes schools and hospitals. You are trying to compare two things which are not the same.

Up 25 Down 17

No One Left on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:25 pm

First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out-
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionist, and I did not speak out-
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
They they came for the Jews and I did not speak out-
because I was not a Jew-
Then they came for me-
and there was no one left to speak for me. -Martin Niemoller

Help other humans; do not hate or judge those who need help and turn your back on them. Be welcoming and warm. I ask again, would you turn your back on Syrians like so many turned their backs on the Jews? Look at the picture of these lovely children and be thankful that they can grow up without bombs, shootings, rape and torture.

Up 29 Down 18

Not Jeff on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:24 pm

it's a free country and they're free to fund-raise for whomever and whatever people/ideal/thing they want. you're all so desperate to help the homeless, get off your duff and go downtown and help then! Setup your own fundraisers and actually DO something besides NOTHING which is what you normally do.

Up 31 Down 14

Help Yukoners first--we have the capacity to help Syrians too on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:18 pm

The people who say 'help our locals first', are not helping our locals. Locals here have ample opportunity for help--war torn countries akin to Nazi Germany do not, nor do peaceful Syrian citizens trying to get away from the hell that we can't even imagine--ya, that means you Jeff Blackburn. We are Yukoners and a generous lot. I've lived here for 40 years and I've seen Yukoners step up to the plate to help those less fortunate many a time. It doesn't all have to go towards Yukoners. We are some of the wealthiest people in the first world--and I don't mean just money, I mean human rights, rights in the workplace, democracy, etc. I welcome this family as I welcomed the Ahmets. I agree with Simon and Yukoner--and for some of us, giving people who party, smoke, do drugs and blow all of their dough on everything but their kids is not where we want we our money going. As for food, shelter, helping people find work, making sure kids are fed, clothed and happy....that I would help any race or culture with, Yukoner, Syrian, or otherwise. Wouldn't you want people to help you if we were in a civil war and had nowhere to go?

Up 13 Down 7

Max Mack on Apr 3, 2017 at 6:01 pm

Canada is busily engaged in the middle east arming, training and funding Kurdish militias (some analysts argue that the eventual goal of the West is to establish a Kurdish state). Meanwhile, the Kurds, with full knowledge of our politicians, are purging the areas they conquer.

Are not Kurdish Syrians relatively safe because they have the Western alliance protecting them from the jihadists and "Assad"?

Up 8 Down 6

Max Mack on Apr 3, 2017 at 5:48 pm

Voting buttons are broken again. I have not previously voted on this story or the story about the proposed gravel pit, but the website tells me I have already voted.

Up 23 Down 19

BnR on Apr 3, 2017 at 5:27 pm

Canadian wins the most inane comment of the week award for this gem: "At some point, Syrians, etc., need to stay in their countries and fight to change them and stop being a burden on the civilized world".
Perhaps Canadian is unaware of what is occurring in Syria for instance, and the why of it.
And Jeff Blackburn gets the big bag of Coal for X-Mas award for his mean spirited little comments. Look under your tree next Christmas Jeff for a nice bag of Anthracite!

Up 20 Down 9

Bondaries are dumb on Apr 3, 2017 at 4:53 pm

Cannon 2000 the first nations do get a say. They get to vote. Just like everyone else. They get to contact their politicians, just like everyone else.

Up 24 Down 18

Bondaries are dumb on Apr 3, 2017 at 4:48 pm

Jeff Blackburn, where do you draw your boundaries? Does a Whitehorse resident deserve more compassion than someone from Beaver Creek? Why? Because they were born further away? Do we turn our back on a starving child who lives in Haiti but donate only to the downtown foodbank? The drunk on 4th ave is no more 'mine" than the drug addict on Vancouver's lower east side, so I think your position is just illogical. As to this specific story, here are well educated people who clearly have something to contribute, and you would have us turn our backs and close the door because they were born far away? Yeah, let's just not let anyone in.......

Up 6 Down 32

jc on Apr 3, 2017 at 4:34 pm

By the way, was the FN consulted on this? And why are they not saying anything about it? Or is it only mining, animals and the environment they are interested in.

Up 31 Down 6

Welcome to Canada on Apr 3, 2017 at 4:01 pm

I am not a fan of Justin's 'throw open the doors to all', but I welcome this family. First of all, the policy is not the people. They made it here, I believe them when they say they are eager to start a contributing life in Canada. I could never look at that picture and feel anything but to be honored that they chose Canada, and the Yukon. Maybe they didn't have a lot of options, but this is how my family got their start in North America a hundred plus years ago and I hope they do well and feel welcome and accepted. Think about what they have been through and separate your thoughts about them from your thoughts on other issues.

Up 41 Down 31

Jeff Blackburn on Apr 3, 2017 at 12:21 pm

Jonathan, what's gross is driving by homeless people on the way to church and deciding that the trendy pursuit of saving refugees is more important than our locals.

Up 21 Down 64

canon2000 on Apr 3, 2017 at 11:07 am

The First Nation should have a say on refugees and immigration that come to Canada after all it is their country too.

Up 37 Down 39

Jonathan Colby on Apr 3, 2017 at 7:30 am

Ah, yes, all the Unrelevant persons of the world, how dare they find a place on the planet to live, and how dare the generosity of spirit from locals shine even a fraction on them.
The otherizing of refugees and the venom from some people about the situation really illustrates the ugly belly of this territory. Gross.

Up 49 Down 39

Canadian on Apr 2, 2017 at 5:47 pm

We have our own problems in Canada, we do not need to be importing those of the third world as well. None of the gulf states regional to these migrants point of origin have taken a single "refugee". So why should we? How in any way does this make Canada better? I'm sick of Canada being treated like a hotel all while we make accommodations for these people and many don't even attempt to assimilate or learn our language, not to mention the clash of culture that comes from these cultures. At some point, Syrians, etc., need to stay in their countries and fight to change them and stop being a burden on the civilized world.

Up 35 Down 22

Jeff Blackburn on Apr 2, 2017 at 1:48 pm

Judging by the thumbs down on my comment, eleven people so far don't want to see churches work that hard for Yukoners too. I've never seen this much effort go to a local family.

Up 30 Down 16

Jeff on Apr 2, 2017 at 12:49 pm

All I said was I'd like to see churches work that hard for Yukoners too, not work harder, you don't have to twist words here as it was a very short sentence. I stick by my words. And yes, I do volunteer work for people that have a hard time transitioning to a more pro-social lifestyle. Kudos for helping this family. I am sure that Yukon families would benefit too from this type of determined help.

Up 39 Down 26

ProScience Greenie on Apr 2, 2017 at 10:25 am

A nice, well educated family that followed the rules. A big warm welcome to the Yukon.

Up 26 Down 18

Paul Stehelin on Apr 1, 2017 at 9:16 pm

What kind of work do you mean Jeff?How could churches work harder for Yukoners?

Up 56 Down 35

Jimbo on Apr 1, 2017 at 8:56 pm

So there was $78,000 of funding created and obtained for a family whom is from the other side of the world completely Unrelevant to Whitehorse (or even Canada ) yet there are homeless, hungry and cold people in Whitehorse? Let's start to help our own people before reaching out to people who have not been Canadians their whole life. I'm not saying that they weren't in a terrible position in Syria, all I'm saying is why help them when we have our own problem with our people?

Up 43 Down 13

north_of_60 on Apr 1, 2017 at 8:34 pm

"The couple are well-educated and fluent in English. Mohamed has a PhD in geography and Shereen has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and languages. "
This is good to see. We want refugee immigrants who bring skills and the necessary abilities for integrating into our community to become productive citizens, and not be an ongoing burden on taxpayers.

Up 37 Down 38

Yukoner on Apr 1, 2017 at 8:10 pm

Hey Jeff, nothing stops you from "working hard for Yukoners". I suppose we'll see you all weekend volunteering at various charitable venues?

Up 39 Down 7

Simon on Apr 1, 2017 at 6:06 pm

Most churches, with the exception of very few paid staff are run and funded by what essentially amounts to volunteers (believers). They run soup kitchens, organize free community events, donate copious amounts of time, food and money to those locally in need, fundraise for refugees families to have a better life, sponsor people overseas, the list goes on and on, and it's all in the name of love and goodwill.

Up 56 Down 39

Jeff Blackburn on Mar 31, 2017 at 7:04 pm

That's nice. I'd like to see the Churches work that hard for Yukoners too.

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