Meet Miguel Hernandez, a Venezuelan artist who has called Canada home for nearly 10 years, who says art was “the bright light” that saw him through the challenges of immigration and settlement.
Meet Fatma Al Ahmed, a high school student from Syria, and learn about the challenges and barriers that exist for young Muslim hijabi girls like herself.
The New Canadians Centre (NCC) in Peterborough invites residents to get to know their neighbours — including Al Ahmed and Hernandez — by participating in three upcoming public sessions over the next three months starting Wednesday (March 26).
The NCC is hosting the first of its “Stories from Your Neighbourhood: Meet Your Neighbours” sessions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Library, located at 345 Aylmer St. N. in downtown Peterborough.
Ultimately, the NCC is challenging the Peterborough community to have open and respectful conversations about the experiences of newcomers in the region. In February 2024, the NCC launched its “Our Neighbourhood” video series that spotlights the stories of six of Peterborough’s diverse community members.
Building on the success of the videos, the NCC has now developed what it describes as an engaging educational activity — the “Our Neighbourhood” discussion guide — to accompany the videos and serve as a starting point for people to have conversations with their fellow residents.
VIDEO: “Our Neighbourhood” – New Canadians Centre
“My hope is that these conversations will spark deeper understanding and reflection on what it truly means to be a welcoming and inclusive community,” Mauricio Interiano, NCC’s community engagement officer, told kawarthaNOW.
“By using the Our Neighbourhood discussion guide, we’re giving people the tools to engage in meaningful dialogue about the experiences of newcomers. The best outcome would be for people to walk away feeling more connected, more aware, and more empowered to take action — whether that’s being more mindful of the challenges newcomers face, advocating for inclusive policies, or simply extending kindness in their everyday interactions.”
The Our Neighbourhood discussion guide was inspired by the six inspirational stories told through the video series. The guide is filled with questions, prompts, and activities designed to help community members reflect on the important themes of the video series. It is appropriate for audiences ranging from elementary to post-secondary classes as well as adults, workplaces, and communities in general.
“Through this activity, participants can explore the stories of their neighbours, dive deeper into what makes our neighbourhood so unique, and reflect on the themes highlighted in the videos,” the NCC notes on its website. “Together, we’ll learn, share, and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of cultures, experiences, and connections that make our community home.”
The hope is those who take part in the sessions will learn more from meeting the newcomers and also gain new tools from the guide to help them become better neighbours.
When asked to share an insight into being a good neighbour, Interiano said he had “one key tip.”
“I’d say that being a good neighbour starts with listening. Taking the time to genuinely hear and understand someone’s story, without assumptions or judgment, creates the foundation for real connection and inclusion. Small gestures of kindness and respect go a long way in making people feel seen, valued, and welcomed.”
Interiano will be facilitating the March 26th session, along with the NCC’s community development manager Bhisham Ramoutar, which will discuss the stories of Miguel Hernandez and Fatma Al Ahmed and cover the topics of microaggressions (subtle and often unintentional slights that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward members of marginalized groups) and language barriers.
Additional sessions take place on April 23 and May 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Library.
The April 23rd session, facilitated by members of the NCC’s Newcomer Leadership Group, will discuss the stories of Samantha Banton (a Jamaican poet and entrepreneur) and Bhisham K. Ramoutar (a newcomer from Trinidad and Tobago) and will discuss the topics of the importance of representation and international students.
The May 21st session, facilitated by the NCC Young Leaders Group, will discuss the stories of Tashvi Menghi (a teenager from India who is an artist and youth activist) and Tim Nguyen (a high school student from Vietnam who is a musician and a young leader) and will cover the topics of the experiences of newcomer youth and school bullying.
While all three sessions are free, advance registration is required at nccpeterborough.ca/series/stories-from-your-neighbourhood-meet-your-neighbours/.
For more information about “Our Neighbourhood” and to watch the six videos in the series and download the discussion guide, visit nccpeterborough.ca/get-involved/newcomervoices/ourneighbourhood/.
