Groups continue efforts to help refugees resettle here
Yukon Cares is adding to its list of refugees it will sponsor.
Yukon Cares is adding to its list of refugees it will sponsor.
The organization is moving through the process to privately sponsor a refugee family to relocate to the territory.
It recently learned the family of 10 it was planning to sponsor is actually a family of 11.
“Yukon Cares recently learned that the family we are sponsoring has had another baby since their refugee application was first filed,” the local group said this week.
“The little boy is 16 months old, and will accompany his parents and eight siblings when they arrive in the Yukon.
“We are therefore sponsoring a family of 11. Yukon Cares has submitted the new paperwork to sponsor the baby, and we are hopeful that the family will be able to travel soon.”
In an interview Wednesday afternoon Line Gagnon, who’s with the group, said the family likely started its paperwork preparation long before the infant was born. Thus, the youngest member of the family wasn’t represented.
While the oversight may have resulted in some delay, Yukon Cares officials are hopeful it won’t postpone things any further, and that the family will arrive as soon as possible.
It’s anticipated Yukon Cares will eventually seek donations for items the youngest member of the family may need.
However, Gagnon said, Yukon Cares will wait to find out exactly what is needed.
As she pointed out, the Whitehorse community has already been “so generous” providing donations, Yukon Cares wants to ensure it’s not asking for items that aren’t required or which have already been donated.
The group will find out exactly what is needed for the little one before putting a call out for donations.
Meanwhile, the Riverdale Baptist Church is continuing its efforts to sponsor a refugee family of four to relocate to the territory after surpassing its goal of raising $18,500 in its efforts.
The $19,000 raised thus far includes $8,000 in donations from the church’s congregation, $5,000 from the truffle sale fundraiser and $6,000 in donations from the wider community.
Yukon Cares also put in an additional $15,000 toward the private sponsorhip.
“This is really outstanding,” church pastor Greg Anderson said earlier this week.
The donations coming in from so many different sources show it really is a community effort to help refugees resettle in the territory, he added.
The church has been paired with a four-person family and has provided details on its website: “Please pray for our family: Mohamed (42) and Shereen (32), and their two young children, Ramen (4) and Eva (2).
“So far, we know that their family has been displaced for two years, and are currently living in Iraq. They are Kurdish Muslim. Mohamed was a geologist and speaks English.
“CBWC (Canadian Baptist Church of Western Canada) indicated that they are not living in a refugee camp because of fear of persecution, and their paperwork has not been started yet.
“Next steps include the submission of appropriate paperwork to Government of Canada and UNHCR, as well as gathering material goods and identifying resources or skills within RBC to help the family once they arrive in Whitehorse.”
The church is opting to move forward with full private sponsorship of the family rather than the program it initially looked at.
As it’s noted on the church’s website: “Initially, the committee hoped to use the Government of Canada's Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) program, wherein the Government of Canada provides up to six months’ income support; however, there were limited Syrian families through BVOR, and those on the list were requesting relocation to specific cities in Canada.
“CBWC recommended that the committee consider private sponsorship, which did not include the six months income support from the federal government.”
The church is also set to meet with the Yukon government to confirm details on its plan to provide a matching grant of up to $18,500 for organizations sponsoring refugees.
The church’s website (www.rbchurch.ca) includes a section for those wanting to donate to the refugee sponsorship plans.
Comments (27)
Up 0 Down 1
icebridge on Jan 13, 2016 at 6:13 pm
100,000 yrs: Maps and Dreams: Hugh Brody: Oxford University. The Hopi Indians say they arrived Island hopping from a completely different direction. The North West Territory Nations have stories that preddate the ice age. They say they have accounts of the people that crossed. They were cannibals and didn't survive. It's in a story called "The man Who Threw Away his Matches." For 500 yrs + they (educators) said the English are Anglo Saxon. DNA says they have the same DNA as the Irish, Scots and Welsh, we are all Celts.
The idea that science presents irrefutable, absolute, final say on any issue has been proven otherwise time and time again. If an Inland Tlingit peson of the Tagish sends DNA sample to Oxford it will not come back and say "you are Mongolian or Siberian, it will come back Tlingit, because they have been in that area for 14000 years after the great flood, that left its marks on the local mountains, and of course they were there before the flood.
A Chief from the Six Nations came to Whitehorse, he said, " You people have been here for 500 years, we know everything about your culture, but you know nothing about ours."
Do you think that because something is written on a wall that it's true?
Up 11 Down 0
north_of_60 on Jan 13, 2016 at 12:41 pm
@clan member "There's evidence that the Athabasca heartland was North East British Columbia and they have been there for 100,000 yrs."
Please provide a credible link to some of that 'evidence' you speak of.
"The ice bridge theory" is your idea. There is irrefutable evidence that sea level was at least 250 ft lower during the ice age. The Beringia 'land bridge' was above sea level and the first immigrant aboriginals from Siberia walked into the ice free land of central Alaska. This is all well documented at the Beringia Center here in Whitehorse.
Up 22 Down 2
Yukoner on Jan 13, 2016 at 8:34 am
100% first nation no such thing LOL
Up 9 Down 3
ProScience Greenie on Jan 12, 2016 at 5:24 pm
The idea, clan member, that approximately 16,000 year the first humans migrated from Eurasia to what is now call the Americas is very solid and supported by a lots of good science. A few holes possibly, and perhaps an earlier wave of migration but it is what it is and there is nothing wrong with that from a scientific and human history point of view. It is no more offensive than the fact the humanity originated in Africa and spread out around the world. I can see believers in creationism and mythology being offended but not any rational thinking person that is willing to look at the evidence and be open minded.
You are correct though in pointing out that it has been used against FNs but that has nothing to do with real science and everything to do with the ugly side of politics, tribalism and cultural superiority all of which is wrong.
Today, thanks to science and the economy of scale anyone, for a low cost, can have their DNA analysed. A person can find out who and where their ancestors really came from, both in the recent past and long long ago. It is an eye-opener, humbling and a dose of reality for anyone that does so. Some may disagree with that but again let the truth out about who we are and how we are all more related and have more in common than many want to admit.
What clan one belongs to is one thing, a cultural and traditional thing, but legal status must recognize both parents of a child. To not do so is a step backwards as it leaves too many in limbo.
Up 5 Down 1
100% FN on Jan 12, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Duane you should have said 100% first nations. Genetically, If you are 50%, then 50% of you is also a colonist or whatever you choose to call European, African and Asian immigrants.
Up 11 Down 36
clan member on Jan 11, 2016 at 7:26 pm
Just a point for the person talking about being German and FN member because of his father. Clan comes from your mother. It's your mother that determines Indian Status.
Another thing that is a problem is the idea that the FN are immigrants too. That's insulting. The ice bridge theory is a white idea. It's not a fact. There's evidence that the Athabasca heartland was North East British Columbia and they have been there for 100,000 yrs. That immigration idea is a an excuse for cultural domination, land grabbing, and attempted genocide. OK so maybe there was a migration from Siberia, does that mean its ok to demean FN and walk all over them?
Up 18 Down 2
ProScience Greenie on Jan 10, 2016 at 6:02 pm
We don't need that fool Trump to tell us that in many Islamic theocracies being gay means torture, jail and a good chance of a death sentence. So does dropping out of Islam or being an open atheist or agnostic or not believing in creationism. All these facts are easily found and you'll also hear about it from many immigrants and refugees from those countries. Like other religions, Islam has a dark side. Unlike other religions it has yet to be reformed. Being concerned does not make one a Trump supporter. And don't forget folks that one year ago a massacre occurred at a magazine office in France over some irreverent silly cartoons that might have been rude but could easily be ignored by simply not viewing them.
I don't like posting links but here's one. The victims in the article should be near the top of the Syrian refugee list. The thugs should be screened out from entering Canada.
The double threat for gay men in Syria https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-double-threat-for-gay-men-in-syria/2014/04/25/30117ee2-ca3a-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html
Up 44 Down 7
Dave In Whitehorse on Jan 9, 2016 at 9:21 pm
I realize this is a little off topic but as several commentators have talked about what it means to be first nation I have what I think is a strange example. Within the last few years I had a chance meeting and discussion with a German person I'll call Jerry for privacy. According to Jerry his grandfather was part FN from Yukon and was in the Canadian army in Germany at some point back in the day where he and Jerry's grandmother had a fling and she got pregnant. When I met Jerry it was his first trip to Yukon, he considers himself German and for all I know he will never come back here.
By the book though through his grandfather he could probably claim he is Yukon FN. If he was so inclined to do so he could conceivably go through the paperwork and get all the rights and privileges thereof, although he had never set foot here before. Meanwhile myself, who is of the lighter complexion variety person but was born and raised here and traces my Yukon roots back for several generations, is somehow still considered 'from somewhere else'. If German born and raised Gerry who had never been in Yukon (or Canada) before, got his Yukon FN status he would immediately have more rights here than I do. I could stand there and watch him hunt when and where I'm not allowed to for example.
Now I can't verify his story, but he certainly sounded convincing and like he knew what he was talking about when he told it to me. It certainly raises an interesting question about who is a native doesn't it?
Up 16 Down 28
Just jess on Jan 8, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Guncache do you know anything about Islam or Syria other than what you hear from Donald Trump? Are you aware that at least 10% of Syrians are christians? Do you know that a halal slaughter is actual one of the least cruel forms of slaughter? That animals cannot be considered halal if they have suffered during death, witnessed another animals death or even see the knife used to skaughter them? Have you ever seen an animal get electrocuted before its slaughtered, to see how much they suffer before they pass out, and smell their flesh burn? Do you know how few muslim woman wear the Burka outside of countries such as Saudi Arabia? Do you know what percentage of women that wear hijab don't do it by choice even though most of their family probably advises against it due to fear of people with backwards uneducated opinions?
Up 33 Down 39
Lee on Jan 8, 2016 at 8:11 pm
I am kind of astonished by the comments here...yet not. The naysayers always are quick to give opinions. Many Yukoners support this initiative as is witnessed by the turnout at the fundraising dinner and by the donations. These people will come and the sky won't fall...life will go on and all these people who pretend to give a s**t about our local homeless will continue to do nothing to help them.
Up 72 Down 14
north_of_60 on Jan 8, 2016 at 5:31 pm
"Unless you're first nations then all Canadians are either an immigrant/refugee or a descendant of one."
No Duane, those who call themselves 'first nations' are merely the first immigrants to arrive in what later became Canada. The real First Nations were in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions during the ice ages, when your ancestors were just roving bands of nomadic hunters.
You can call yourselves whatever you want, but it does not change archaeological history.
Up 39 Down 42
Dude in Whitehorse on Jan 8, 2016 at 3:01 pm
So is compassion now a zero-sum concept? Our good will and aid to one person means that it must take away from someone else? I reject that. I work in a front line capacity in Whitehorse and on a daily basis see the fantastic work done by volunteers and (often underpaid) employees at our various local NGOs.
Is everything that ought to be there in place? Absolutely not. Is progress on this front stagnant? Also absolutely not. There can always be more done to help those truly screwed within our system - accepting the inevitability that not all will want or welcome it but that we should do what we can anyway.
But there's a lot of ugly sanctimony on this subject. I see some of my peers in the veterans community whining about cash going to help Syrian refugees when there are homeless vets- and they fall silent when asked "well what have YOU done for them?" I see a lot of angst from people who never lift a finger or donate a cent here at home who pretend to offense that we should deign to help someone outside our borders.
A lot of these folks have nothing to go back to. Not sure about everyone's familiarity with war zones, but by definition they kinda suck. I would question the ethics of any parent who would want to drag their kid back into one versus escaping to a safe and prosperous place like Canada. I certainly don't blame anyone from running from a place where there is no entity really worth fighting for, inasmuch as if they won, they would establish a polity worth living in. There's nothing worth staying there for, and everything to gain if they can get their families somewhere safe.
We are a fortunate, safe, prosperous country. Is anything absolutely ideal here? God no. Out of a mass migration of thousands will there undoubtedly be some small portion of dirtbags who end up committing criminal acts? Unquestionably yes. But home-grown Yukoners are capable of some pretty heinous stuff too in equally small proportion; I see no reason to exclude a bunch of people who need the help we can offer because of a small risk that a few will be bad seeds. I am not that kind of coward.
There is a thinly-veiled racism against Middle Easterners and Muslims that is generally given a thin veneer of 'security' and 'safety' concerns. A lot of people are afraid of and bigoted against some 'other', and try to give it an acceptable reasoning, but it's generally pretty transparent.
I, for one, am not afraid of refugees, and I will welcome them. I've seen the kind of thing they're coming from. I can empathize with their desperation for a safe start somewhere new. I believe that the cumulative 'we' can never do everything to right all wrongs, and that we have to have some perspective. I have no problem with acting in our own self interest. But our country, culture and community can afford some charity on this one. I think it will be an important reality check to see a widespread and generally successful integration of these new Canadians.
Up 43 Down 28
ProScience Greenie on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Do you always label people that disagree with you as hateful and ignorant Lee Carruthers.
You talk about bringing the world together to help each other but how is that possible when a good part of the world is still against all the modern freedoms and rights guaranteed in our Charter and those of other modern countries.
For many, refugee or not, to enter Canada to stay, people from elsewhere should be asked and agree to such things as...
- accepting LGBT equality including same sex marriage and adoption
- accepting equality of gender and race
- accepting freedom of religion, freedom from religion and the right to switch or entirely drop out of a religion
- accepting that sometimes people are going to make fun of your prophet or deity including drawing cartoons that some might find offensive ie. free speech /expression
Those that don't accept that can go back home where Canada can provide all kinds of humanitarian aid to them until they can straighten out their country.
We need to fight for a secular world where basic rights and freedoms are universal and nobody is persecuted or killed because they are attracted to someone of the same gender or decide to drop their religion. If that means being tough and rejecting some refugees then so be it. To not do that only promotes intolerance, ignorance and hatred.
Up 36 Down 40
Yukoner 98 on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:12 pm
JC "The Islamist terrorists have told us repeatedly that they are going to come here and turn Canada, and America into a Islamic Caliphate."
hahaha - Yes I'm sure the ISIS Navy and Air Force is preparing to invade as we speak!
You do realize they said they are going to burn down Rome and behead the US President as well right? Do you believe every outlandish thing they say? What if they told you they are launching a space program.... would you believe that too?
Up 20 Down 10
ProScience Greenie on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:02 pm
'Unless you're a FN...' I always find that statement odd when it comes to today's immigration policy as many people that are FN have ancestors that came from Europe and elsewhere and are of mixed ancestry. No doubt we will soon have FN citizens that have Syrian ancestry, or Filipino or whatever. Nothing wrong with that, just the way it is. Unless we bring back the the old taboos against mixed-cultural marriages we will continue with this fusion as people from all around the world fall in love and start families.
The issue with Syrian refugees is more about cultural compatibility - fitting in with our Charter - and whether rushed immigration is the best use of our resources to help the Syrian refugees.
Up 36 Down 49
Lee Carruthers on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:56 pm
So sad to see so much hatred and ignorance on this forum. We are all people in this world and we all need to help each other. As for the terrorist fear, we are far more likely to die by a lightning strike than by terrorism. By ignoring the refugee's plight we are facilitating the likes of ISIL and other terrorist organizations. They WANT us in the West to ignore the refugees, to build more hatred towards us.
Up 42 Down 57
Shelly White on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:10 pm
I supported this family, with a donation of money and items for their home. I also donate time and money to the Salvation Army, Food Bank, my friend's kids, go fund me campaigns for specialized vans and medical costs while in Vancouver and the Red Cross and Doctors without borders and the animal shelter and to children in care of the Yukon Government. Every single person who I know who donated money and time, ALSO donates money and time to Yukon people. The group of people who are supporting this family are people with compassion. They care about humans. They care that human beings are fleeing extreme violence and terror. The opinions here make me sad, I am saddened that our world is filled with people with so much hate and fear. But no matter, armchair critics don't change anything. The people who work towards making our city better, who include and care for others exist in greater numbers. These are the people who will welcome this family. I am proud to be one of them.
Up 53 Down 60
Yukoner98 on Jan 8, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Rod: Who is turning a blind eye to the homeless addicts etc., here? The people I see involved in helping the refugees are mostly the SAME people you see helping out at the food bank, Sally Ann, etc. The people now claiming to have found a special place in their heart for our homeless and vulnerable are full of it. These are the people who didn't give a hoot about them or social programs in general prior to the refugee crisis.
On a side note - there are a LOT of resources available to our homeless, but treating addicts and people with severe mental illness is much different from giving shelter to everyday people who are fleeing death and destruction in their home country....the vast majority will have jobs and be contributing members of society within a year. Bottom line is the "Help our own first" argument doesn't hold water and is just a convenient cover for not wanting to give these people shelter from war. Its actually kind of sickening. The only exception is the people not smart enough to understand we can help our own while helping the refugees as well. Those people just need a pat on the head and a safe place to play.
Up 37 Down 41
Yukoner98 on Jan 8, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Guncache: "Muslim is not a religion" You are absolutely right. It is called Islam - followers are Muslims.
"There are countries that don't have a problem, like China, Japan, Russia, Mexico, and others. All you have to do is say NO, and close the border to all Muslims."
Yes, Russia and Mexico are very safe non-violent and non corrupt countries lol! China is probably safe, thanks to its communist dictatorship - you want that?
"There are cities that have no go zones," No actually there aren't in the western world - that was a myth made up about some cities in the UK which has been proven false.
"They want all women to wear the burka, they want to stone to death women that have been raped, they want to cut off your hand if you steal something. It's not Islamophobia, it's REALITY." You are referring to the Taliban, ISIS and Saudi Arabia.... Not Turkey, Indonesia (largest Islamic country in the world), Jordan, Palestine, or even Iran! Stop taking crazy rightwing websites as fact!
You really need to travel or read a book or something. The stuff you are spouting is ridiculous.
Up 54 Down 45
Guncache on Jan 8, 2016 at 8:18 am
One only has to watch the news to see what is happening around the world where refugees (muslim terrorists) are swarming in. There are countries that don't have a problem, like China, Japan, Russia, Mexico, and others. All you have to do is say NO, and close the border to all Muslims. I realize that may "hurt someones feelings". There are cities that have no go zones, cities where Muslims roam the streets and harass the citizens that have lived there all their lives. They want all women to wear the burka, they want to stone to death women that have been raped, they want to cut off your hand if you steal something. It's not Islamophobia, it's REALITY. I will never support any type of Muslim. I will gladly put a package of bacon on top of Halal food. Do you people even know how an animal is killed to comply with Halal. It is the cruelest form of death.
Up 62 Down 54
jc on Jan 7, 2016 at 10:03 pm
I read your whole comment and I really don't think you put much thought or research into any of your points. When the white man first came to North America, they were running from mostly religious persecution in their European countries. Did the Natives of this continent welcome them as refugees and give them free housing, food, clothes and education? And as the "Trojan Horse fear, It is not based on stereotypes and ignorance. The Islamist terrorists have told us repeatedly that they are going to come here and turn Canada, and America into a Islamic Caliphate. If you heard that someone has threatened your life, would you just think it was a rumour and based on ignorance?
Up 23 Down 34
ProScience Greenie on Jan 7, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Not that simple Duane.
The progressive left has been hammering away at right leaning Christians ever since I can remember yet Islam seems to get a free pass from them. As one that has always fought for a clear separation of 'church and state' I am appalled by the lack of a similar concern with Islam and the potential weakening of our secular democracy in the name of unchecked multiculturalism.
Even the most unbiased polls show that a majority of people from Islamic countries have a hard time with secularism and modern ideals like our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the freedom to mock religion, culture and traditions by cartoon or comedy. There is also similar thinking in those countries about the sciences of evolution and geology. Those poll numbers are out there so I won't go into detail but that should be a major concern to all of us that believe in freedom of speech and expression and the rest of the Charter.
What I find to be truly sad is that if a person is the least bit critical of anything to do with immigration, especially the Syrian issue, too often the progressive and SJW crowd jumps on them calling them bigots, racists and so on rather than listening and finding common ground. Sadly typical of that crowd that seems to be very selective of when to be compassionate and progressive. Good chance we’ll see the SJW Facebook crowd on here hitting the dislike buttons but fortunately that won’t silence those of us with legitimate non-bigoted concerns. There are other ways to help Syrian refugees and there is nothing wrong with discussing it.
I seriously doubt that any Yukoners sees this Syrian family as a threat. I don’t. I’ve known more than a few people from that part of the world that have come to Canada, left their Koran behind and enjoyed and contributed to our country. They just want to blend in and be Canadian. A few others seem to have brought their theocratic thinking with them and to this day are disgusted with our way of life ie; our Charter. That is the kind of screening I want to see and to date Canada is failing at it.
And if you think the West is entirely at fault for the problems over there then you need to read up on your history. The West has messed it up but it hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses for the last couple of thousand years and if everything Western left today it would still be a mess. Just the way it is with theocratic government.
Bottom line is that we can’t do much about homegrown bigots but we can and should insure we don’t allow those kinds of people into our country. Call me intolerant but if I am, it is only against the intolerant.
I wish the best for this family and even though I have issues with the policy I have nothing but the highest praise for most of the Yukoners helping. Good people for sure.
Up 62 Down 48
Rod on Jan 7, 2016 at 5:10 pm
I think it's amazing how much effort and time people in the Yukon are putting into helping the refugees. Even more amazing how they turn a blind eye to the homeless, addicts, abused folks in the Yukon. Wouldn't it be great if we helped our own first!
Up 54 Down 68
Duane Gastant' Aucoin on Jan 7, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Unless you're first nations then all Canadians are either an immigrant/refugee or a descendant of one. That's our history of being a safe haven from the many horrors people are trying to escape from. In particular with the Syrian refugees the West has helped create the horrible situation these poor people are fleeing from. So we have a moral duty to help, just as we have a moral duty to help the less fortunate already here. We can & must do both! Recently, homeless people were asked in Calgary if we should be helping the Syrian refugees & they said, of course! They said that there are lots of services they can access as homeless people already. But the refugees are fleeing war and need our help now! How admirable & what an example for the rest of us!
As to the "Trojan horse" fear that some are promoting. Just another fear tactic built on stereotypes & ignorance. Yes there are some extremists in the Muslim community who give them all a bad name but there are extremists in all communities. I don't remember seeing any calls to ban White Christians after the recent Planned Parenthood attack in America?!
Anyways, all the refugees coming to Canada are being thoroughly screened to help make sure that there are no extremists "sneaking" in.
These refugees are fleeing Isis & need our protection...so let's do the right thing & make Canada proud & welcome them to our wonderful family!
Up 85 Down 71
A. on Jan 7, 2016 at 4:48 pm
We have an overused food bank, not enough homes or help for our homeless, among lots of other things. The money they are raising could be used here in our own town.
Obviously this family isn't taking their problem into consideration if they're still bringing more kids into their situation. It's ridiculous and we should be helping our own first.
Up 112 Down 101
June Jackson on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:55 pm
So..they had 9 kids that they couldn't feed, cloth, or provide a roof for. Perhaps along with food, clothing, a home, probably a vehicle, phone, gas, expenses, insurances, medical, dental, medications, education, spending money... birth control might be added to the list.
My daughter would love to have a baby.. can't afford it.
I am a Canadian first person.
http://ipolitics.ca/2014/06/30/the-number-of-homeless-veterans-in-canada-is-soaring/
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/news/food-banks-canada/
http://www.carp.ca/2014/12/11/600000-seniors-canada-live-poverty/
I could go on..there is tons of info on the internet... perhaps we can get all these do-gooders together and get a photo of them with a can of beans at the food bank?
BTW...I donate to Sally Ann and contribute my time to the soup kitchen and Yukon Learn... I do my bit to help out my fellow man/woman/child. And they all live right here in Whitehorse.
Up 92 Down 86
Yukoner on Jan 7, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Does no one watch what is happening around the would with theses refuges?
I think i'ts time we worried about the people here in Canada already that need help. And stop with the Trojan horse that will be coming.