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I first visited Canada in 1984 during my graduate studies on Canadian literature and spent some time with Margaret Atwood at her home in Toronto. I returned the following two summers when I eventually met my husband and returned to Berlin married. I immigrated in 1987, had two daughters and worked various jobs until I settled on a career in the utility sector, which I retired from after 22 years in 2016.

I became a Canadian citizen this April after having lived here for 32 years. I waited this long because Germany usually does not accept dual citizenship and I wanted to keep my EU passport so my children can have both for life. I recently found out that acquiring an exception from Germany was becoming easier and could be achieved without a lawyer so I finally finished the paperwork. I find crossing the border to be much easier with a Canadian passport!

I have a lot of hobbies like cross stitching, knitting, crocheting, beadwork, reading, scrap booking, etc. My husband and I love traveling so we spend a lot of time exploring this country and the rest of the world.

I think the CAP [card] is a fantastic idea. We have been to several concerts with our free tickets from CAP and went to Banff National Park. I plan to visit the Bell Music Centre, TELUS Spark and Fort Calgary in the near future. I love art and museums: they teach about the diversity of our cultures and the history that formed this country. They also provide a chance to learn from past mistakes and ensure that Indigenous culture survives. I look forward to many more travels and would love to explore the eastern provinces some more.

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture. It’s time to shift CAP to the digital age. Support the ICC.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

The ICC Fellowship provides the opportunity for young leaders from around the world to make a change in their own community through the creation and implementation of projects on inclusion and citizenship. This year’s fellowship launched with the Digital Citizens: 2018 ICC Fellowship Workshop, which took place on September 24, 2018, at Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance & Learning.

Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/ Alyssa Faoro

The Institute of Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is pleased to introduce the 10 individuals selected to take part in the 2018 ICC Fellowship.

The ICC Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for young leaders from around the world to develop and implement local projects on citizenship and inclusion. Over the past three years, the ICC has welcomed 32 fellows from 13 different countries into the program, previously known as the 6 Degrees Junior Fellowship.

“The quality of applications we received was amazing,” said Scott Young, Director of the ICC’s Ideas & Insights program. “Each 2018 ICC Fellow was chosen because of their commitment to advancing the work of citizenship and inclusion. Each of their projects fosters citizenship and inclusion through technology, and many of them will have positive implications for how we think about the ways in which citizenship and technology interact. We’re very excited to support the fellows in their work.”

Applicants to this year’s ICC Fellowship were asked to address the following questions: What is the impact of technology on the ideas and practices surrounding citizenship and belonging? How has technology changed what it means to be a citizen? Has technology been a force for or against active citizenship? Are there ways we can better employ and harness technology to promote more inclusive societies?

The ICC Fellows will kick off their fellowship by attending 6 Degrees Toronto, from September 24 to September 26, where they will be connect with leaders from all walks of life who will help them refine and workshop their project concepts. The fellows will also participate in wide-ranging and engaging dialogues that will inform their thinking on issues related to citizenship and technology. Following 6 Degrees Toronto, they will return to their communities to launch their projects.

You can learn more about the ICC Fellowship here and read about this year’s ICC Fellows and their projects below.

Thank you to Victoria Nunes and the Lions Group for supporting the 2018 ICC Fellowship as its Presenting Partner.

2018 ICC Fellows

Seyi Akiwowo
Age: 26
Country of birth: United Kingdom
Current location: London, United Kingdom

Project: An immersive, impactful program that will educate young people on their digital rights and responsibilities, enabling them to be active digital citizens and agents in tackling the rise of hate and abuse online.

April Marie Alayon
Age: 27
Country of birth: Philippines
Current location: Vancouver, Canada

Project: A community hub that will provide the necessary skills, resources, and networks for people of colour who are interested in working in the technology industry.

Eduarda Aun
Age: 26
Country of birth: Brazil
Current location: New York, United States

Project: A digital platform that will use interactive maps to enable citizens to participate in civic events, organize, and reclaim public space in Brazil.

Megan Beretta
Age: 24
Country of birth: Canada
Current location: Ottawa, Canada

Project: A non-partisan, consultative process that will examine digital rights needs of underrepresented communities, and empower these communities to know their rights and bring this conversation into the mainstream.

Yonis Hassan
Age: 23
Country of birth: Canada
Current location: Toronto, Canada

Project: An initiative that will equip diverse youth organizers in the City of Toronto with the digital skills necessary to tackles some of their communities pressing social problems.

Janelle Hinds
Age: 26
Country of birth: Canada
Current location: Mississauga, Canada

Project: A project that will explore how young people get engaged in their communities and, in consultation with these young people, design an online tool to facilitate greater youth engagement.

Hiba Ibrahim
Age: 25
Country of birth: Canada
Current location: Toronto, Canada

Project: A website that will provide Somali refugees and immigrants with accessible information on mental health resources and work to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

Ruth Mojeed
Age: 29
Country of birth: Nigeria
Current location: Victoria, Canada

Project: A documentary that will bring to life the experiences of women, immigrants, Indigenous peoples, and other minority groups who are working in the tech industry, with a focus on how inclusion in this industry can be achieved.

Samantha Perlman
Age: 23
Country of birth: United States
Current location: Marlborough, United States

Project: A collaborative, community-building program that will use technology to connect students from diverse backgrounds, and foster civic education and political engagement, through peer-to-peer learning.

David Timis
Age: 27
Country of birth: Romania
Current location: Bucharest, Romania

Project: A digital platform that will showcase the stories of diverse, young political activists and provide information and resources to other young people, inspiring them to become active European citizens.

Oksana Taran immigrated to Canada with her family in May of 2013 from the Ukraine. “Our goal was to find a new place where we all [could] be happy,” says Oksana. She and her family received their Canadian citizenship five years later in May of 2018.

Oksana and her husband have enjoyed using their Cultural Access Pass (CAP) cards when traveling with their children both inside and outside of their home province, Manitoba. They have already used their CAP cards when visiting Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal in July and August this year. Oksana, her husband, and her two children (2-year-old and 9-year-old) have enjoyed visiting museums on their travels, making the most out of their CAP cards. Oksana says that visiting these cultural spaces has “absolutely” made her family feel welcomed as new Canadian citizens. “I have learned a lot about Canadian history when visiting museums,” says Oksana. “I believe that cultural places such as museums, exhibitions, historical buildings and many others play a significant role in building social inclusion.”

On the future, Oksana says she looks forward to continuing her travels Canada. “We are proud to be Canadian citizens. Our plan is to visit other beautiful Canadian provinces in the near future… Let’s travel!”

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

Ali Sayedi first came to Canada from Iran for a seminar in 2003. After spending two weeks here, he quickly found Canada to be the “country of opportunities” and decided to stay to continue his career.

In February of this year, Ali became a Canadian citizen and picked up his Cultural Access Pass shortly afterwards. His interests include exploring different cultures, and also hiking. As a result, he mostly uses his CAP card to visit national parks and take in musical events. He also plans on using his one-time-use 50% off VIA Rail coupon over the summer to explore more of Canada.

“Canada is a beautiful country and has friendly people; I like it,” says Ali. Of CAP, he says that the pass it helps keep him informed about arts and culture events happening in his community. “I am getting familiar with new culture and places. [Cultural spaces] provide an environment for more communication and studying.”

When we asked what is the most important thing all Canadians should know about new Canadian citizens is, Aly said: “They are Canadian but just came later!”

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

Applications for this year’s ICC Fellowship are now closed!

Overview

Powered by a passionate and committed national network, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) delivers programs and special projects that inspire inclusion, create opportunities to connect, and encourage active citizenship.

The ICC Fellowship provides a special opportunity for young leaders from around the world to make a change in their own community through the creation and implementation of projects on inclusion and citizenship. Launched in 2016 as the 6 Degrees Junior Fellowship, we have welcomed 22 fellows from 11 different countries into the program. These outstanding young people were chosen based on their dedication to fostering inclusion and building citizenship in their respective communities. (Read about our past cohorts of junior fellows here.)

The newly renamed ICC Fellowship will run from September 2018 to May 2019. Select ICC Fellows will be invited to attend 6 Degrees Toronto in September 2019, based on their performance during the fellowship period.

2018 Theme: Technology and Citizenship

Technology is radically transforming how we understand citizenship and belonging. Technology has changed how we interact, communicate, and work with each other. It has changed how communities function, and even the notion of community itself.

This year’s fellowship will centre on the intersection of technology and citizenship. What is the impact of technology on the ideas and practices surrounding citizenship and belonging? How has technology changed what it means to be a citizen? Has technology been a force for, or against, active citizenship? Are there ways we can better employ and harness technology to promote more inclusive societies?

ICC Fellows will create and implement projects to help the ICC to shed insight on these questions, and advance the future of technology and citizenship.

Requirements

Each ICC Fellow will be required to:

- Design, implement, and execute a project that advances inclusion and relates to the theme of “Technology and Citizenship”;
- Attend ICC Fellowship and 6 Degrees events in Toronto from September 23 to 26, 2018;
- Be an active member of the ICC community, participating in ICC events, and offering project support when possible;
- Serve as ICC ambassadors in championing inclusion and active citizenship.
- Participate in regular check-ins with ICC staff about the status of their project; and
- Submit a final summary report on their project, detailing the results and impact.
Benefits

The ICC Fellowship provides young leaders the opportunity to connect with a larger network of individuals who are working to foster inclusive societies and promote active citizenship globally. It provides them with resources and support to run a project in their own communities.

Each ICC Fellow will receive a $4,000 (Canadian dollars) grant to support their project dedicated toward inclusion. ICC Fellows will also participate in ICC Fellowship and 6 Degrees events in Toronto from September 23 to 26, 2018. (All travel and accommodation costs will be covered. We regret we are unable to cover other travel-related expenses, such as fees for passports and visas.)

ICC Fellows will also develop their leadership capacity in an environment that welcomes risk-taking, vulnerability, and innovation, and build their global professional network with peers who share their dedication to building inclusive societies and promoting active citizenship.

Eligibility

The ICC Fellowship program is designed to support young leaders and is therefore open only to individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 (age on September 24, 2018). As part of our commitment to inclusion, the ICC encourages applicants from all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and marital statuses. The ICC welcomes applicants working on inclusion and citizenship from all backgrounds and fields, including active community members, artists, academics, policymakers, educators, and corporate professionals.
Applications for this year’s ICC Fellowship are now closed.

‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ begins on July 6 with the start of the Calgary Stampede, and CAP members are once again invited to the annual 10-day celebration of culture, heritage, and community spirit.

For the seventh year in a row, the Calgary Stampede is partnering with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) to provide 500 free admission passes to members of the ICC’s Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program.

“We are proud to be a partner of the CAP program. As a community organization, the Stampede is always looking for ways to connect with new Calgarians and share our western hospitality and welcome them to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!,” says Kathryn Jenkins, manager, organizational communications & community engagement at the Calgary Stampede.

New Canadian citizens who sign-up for CAP membership enjoy free admission to more than 1,400 arts and culture sites across the country. The only program of its kind in the world, CAP connects new Canadian citizens and their families to their communities, builds a heightened sense of inclusion and belonging, and encourages active participation in Canadian arts and culture.

“The Cultural Access Pass is a unique way for new Canadian citizens to become both active participants in and contributors to arts and culture in Canada,” says Yasmine Mohamed, Director, Cultural Access Pass. “By opening their gates to our country’s newest citizens, the Stampede is continuing a longstanding tradition of making everyone feel welcome, included, and involved.”

The 2018 Calgary Stampede is happening from July 6 – 15.

For more information about the Calgary Stampede, visit www.calgarystampede.com.

For more information about the Cultural Access Pass, visit culturalaccesspass.ca

Yolanda Theophilus immigrated to Canada in 2012 from The Bahamas, and she became a Canadian citizen in September of 2017. Still in her first year of citizenship, Yolanda is actively using her Cultural Access Pass to visit cultural attractions and is taking advantage of CAP performing arts offers in the Toronto area.

“I chose Canada because I studied at Acadia University in 2005 and was impressed with what it had to offer, including its values and culture,” says Yolanda, “When I first arrived, my goals were to settle into Toronto, make this country my home, and eventually become a Canadian citizen. Professionally, I aspired to obtain a position in my accounting profession… My plans also included meeting a diverse set of people, integrating well into the Canadian culture, and becoming actively involved in the community.

“I have gained positive experiences since coming to Canada such as, obtaining professional experiences and meeting amazing people from around the world and all walks of life. I cherish the great memories of fun-filled activities and Canadian adventures. I now feel even more strongly a part of the community and now Canada is my home.”

Yolanda received in citizenship in 2017 and is still actively pursuing her professional and personal goals. “In my first few years as a Canadian citizen, my desire is to obtain a stable career, settle into a nice home, and travel to more Canadian provinces,” says Yolanda. “I look forward to a happy and healthy Canadian lifestyle. I’m also excited about having a family someday. One of my goals is to grow my business advisory practice, under my incorporated company, Ultimate Consulting Inc.”

She enjoys traveling, attending cultural events, and writing – she even wrote a book in 2017.

“I am enthusiastic about attending the arts, culture, festivities, and multicultural events,” says Yolanda, “My Cultural Access Pass has allowed me to attend an opera, a play, and an orchestra. I visited most tourist attractions in Toronto, hiked and went on a Rocky Mountain bus tour in Vancouver, visited Montreal and more.

“It is important for newcomers [and new citizens] to be a part of the cultural life that makes them share in the Canadian experience of the past and its origins. Overall, I feel that shared experiences, connecting with a diverse set of people, and exposure to interesting places has a profound positive impact on my openness and relationships with others.

“The journey to success is a recipe of a cup of efforts and resources, a spoonful of goals in a bowl of valuable experiences stirred with passion and baked over time. It’s important to feel connected and integrated into a new community and the Cultural Access Pass has given me some of these valuable experiences and further infused my passion and motivated me to pursue my goals.”

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

Parks Canada national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas help tell the stories of who we are as Canadians and constitute some of Canada’s most treasured cultural, historic, and natural places.

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) began working with Parks Canada in 2012 to offer new Canadian citizens free admission to all Parks Canada sites across the country through the Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program. The CAP program provides new Canadian citizens in their first year of citizenship free admission to more than 1400 cultural spaces across the country, including museums, art galleries, science centres, and parks. Since 2012, there have been more than 30 000 visits to Parks Canada places through CAP.

Today in Ottawa, the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the renewal of the partnership between the ICC and Parks Canada, which will result in free admission for new Canadian citizens through the CAP program.

“In Canada, we are fortunate to have natural and cultural landscapes as diverse as the citizens that call it home. Following the largest-ever consultation on Parks Canada, one of my goals is to encourage more Canadians—particularly new Canadians—to experience the outdoors and learn about our environment and history,” said Minister McKenna at a special Canada Day citizenship ceremony at Rideau Canal National Historic Site’s Hartwells Lockstation. “That’s why I am proud that we are offering free admission for new Canadians to Parks Canada places as a way to celebrate and discover Canada’s history and natural wonder.”

Earlier this year, Parks Canada also introduced free admission for youth 17 and under.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Parks Canada to encourage new citizens to make lifelong connections to national parks and historic sites through our Cultural Access Pass,” said Charlie Foran, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. “Now, as Canadian citizens, these spectacular places across the country are both their right and their responsibility.”

Learn more about Parks Canada at parkscanada.ca. For more information on the ICC’s Cultural Access Pass, visit culturalaccesspass.ca.

The Cultural Access Pass provides members with free admission to more than 1,400 of Canada’s premier cultural attractions, as well as discounts to travel and explore during their first year of citizenship.

This month, Remai Modern in Saskatoon, SK, joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens as a CAP Attraction. Remai Modern is a new museum of modern and contemporary art in Saskatoon, a growing city on the vast and ever-changing Canadian Prairies. Remai Modern offers a unique perspective on art and culture in the 21st century, with an eye on the future.

CAP members who live in Saskatoon, or the surrounding area, be sure to visit to explore this gallery!

To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.

2018 ICC Fellows

Applications for this year’s ICC Fellowship are now closed.