Background
As an “entry point” for newcomers, the settlement sector is one of the most ethnically diverse settings in the Canadian society, and there are frequent interpersonal interactions among people from different ethnic groups. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of inter-ethnic relationships in the settlement sector is crucial for promoting professional developments in practitioners and providing insights toward newcomer integration. It is expected that the results of this project will assist decision- and policymakers to design policies and programs that facilitate the development of positive inter-ethnic relationships within and beyond the sector.
Land Acknowledgement
The research team on this project wants to be held accountable for our work on the lands we work upon. First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge that the land we operate on has been a site for human activity for thousands of years. This land is the traditional territory of the Mississuagas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chipewas, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat people.
We understand the role that settler-colonialism has played and its lasting legacy, and this statement of acknowledging the history of this land cannot undo the violence and injustice against people who are indigenous to this land. However, in collaboration with Indigenous elders and organizations, we intend to work to dismantle the legacy of colonialism to the best of our ability. However, we would like to be held accountable for our work with immigrants and newcomers as potentially being a continuation of settler-colonial projects.
Many newcomers are unaware of the history of this land, however we would like to make a distinction between the contemporary settlement practices of newcomers and historical settler-colonial projects. Regardless, we intend to commit to listening to Indigenous communities and unlearn any biases, while simultaneously sharing knowledge through our research project within the settlement sector by acknowledging the pre-established nation that we occupy.
Lead Investigators
Aims of the study
To improve our understanding on inter-ethnic relationships within the settlement sector, in order to improve the quality of these relationships and cross-cultural services.
The main objectives are to:
-
Examine how inter-ethnic relationships are performed and experienced in the settlement sector
-
Examine how inter-ethnic relationships affect settlement service practitioners’ professional behaviours and the outcomes of their service delivery
-
Examine how inter-ethnic relationships affect newcomers’ transition in the settlement sector
-
Explore the strategies employed by settlement practitioners and service users when interacting with members of other ethnic groups
Funding
Who is our population of research?
