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On August 12th, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre hosted a citizenship ceremony for 38 new Canadians from 14 countries. The event, themed for International Youth Day, highlighted the role of young people in shaping the future. The NAC’s focus on arts and culture made it the perfect space for celebrating new citizens and inspiring the community with the energy and potential of youth.

The ceremony began with a roundtable discussion, providing candidates a safe space to share their stories and backgrounds, allowing others to connect with these experiences. This was further enriched by Indigenous representative Marc Forgette, who offered his blessings and spoke about his own experiences and Indigenous communities in Canada.

The official ceremony followed, where candidates took the oath of citizenship and officially became Canadian citizens. They were fortunate to have Marianne Keuleman sing the National Anthem with them for the first time, and Kondwani Mwase, Executive Director of Audience Engagement at the NAC, delivered congratulatory remarks.

A big thank you to the NAC, volunteers, and roundtable hosts for their efforts in making the experience memorable and ensuring that candidates and their families had an incredible day. A special thanks also to our photographer, Sandra Ivleva, who captured beautiful moments that will be cherished forever.

To view photos of the Citizenship Ceremony, click here. 

With ICC’s Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies, established Canadians have the ability to connect with new citizens building stronger community relationships. If you are interested in volunteering as a roundtable host at one of our ceremonies, please contact ceremonies@inclusion.ca.