Daniel Torres is a master's student studying medical anthropology at the University of Laval. He earned his joint Hon. B.Soc.Sc. in Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Ottawa. Daniel immigrated to Quebec from Colombia as a child. Throughout the interview, Daniel focused on the lack of a distinct Colombian community in Ottawa and the specific Colombian and Latin American small businesses he would frequent. Daniel said that occasionally, there would be clubs or restaurants that would host "Latin Night", but he wasn't particularly interested in those. He discussed Novenas, a Colombian holiday that is celebrated around Christmas. When discussing how he celebrates his heritage, he said it was something he carries with him rather than being a detached part of his identity.
Kelmys is an international student at Algonquin College. She is currently in her second year, studying advertising and marketing communications. Although she is very busy with school, in her free time, she loves to try new food and eat at different restaurants. She also loves going to jazz lounges with her friends.
Our Dominican-born interviewee moved to Ottawa, Canada, for higher education and family connections. Their sister's presence in Ottawa influenced their relocation, and over time, other family members likewise settled there, forming a strong support system. Despite living in separate homes, their family remains close-knit, frequently gathering for meals and celebrations. Cultural preservation is central to the interviewee's identity, with language playing a key role. Spanish is actively spoken at home, ensuring younger generations maintain fluency. Celebrations such as Christmas, birthdays, and Father's Day reinforce their heritage. Dominican holiday traditions, including festive gatherings, music, and food, are preserved within their family. Culinary traditions further connect the interviewee to their Dominican roots. They highlight "sancocho," a hearty stew, and "la bandera," a meal of rice, beans, and protein, as cultural staples. Access to Latin American ingredients in Ottawa supports their ability to cook traditional dishes. Overall, the interviewee underscores the challenges of cultural preservation while adapting to a new society. Their experiences provide insight into the immigrant experience in Ottawa, reflecting the importance of family, language, and tradition in maintaining cultural identity.
Anonymous is from Uruguay and immigrated to Canada. They Came to Toronto 25 years ago to start their graduate studies and 10 years later moved to Ottawa to be a professor. Anonymous speaks Portuguese, English, and French but mainly uses Portuguese when talking to their family. They have a larger community in Toronto since most of their family and Uruguayan community are integrated there. Anonymous often travels between cities for celebrations, Uruguayan food items, and gatherings with their community. Eating food at family gatherings is important to their culture. Uruguayan culture consists of a meat heavy diet that grills large amounts of beef. Toronto is the only place where they can find Uruguayan style beef. Anonymous is not integrated into Ottawa’s Latin community.
