Browse Items (29 total)

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  Conversation with Uribe Dominguez

  Uribe Dominguez is a devoted leader in Ottawa’s Dominican community, and this interview details how he got where he is today. Born to a family of ten children in the Dominican Republic, Uribe started his life wanting to become a priest, so much so that he travelled to Canada to see Pope John-Paul II once he was an adult. Initially arriving on a short visa, Uribe saw Canada as a place full of opportunity for those willing to work for it and decided to stay. Eventually, he met his wife, and they had four children, raising them in Canada. Uribe takes great pride in the fact that his children are trilingual and speak English, French, and Spanish. Still a devout catholic, Uribe found that church was a valuable way to celebrate his community and soon represented Ottawa’s Dominican Canadians at functions all over Southern Ontario and Quebec. To this day, Uribe cherishes his community and wears Dominica’s colours proudly.
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  Conversation with Taryn Ayton

  This interview with Taryn Ayton by Adrian Machado is a part of a project for anthropological studies in the Caribbean and Latin America. Taryn is a 21-year-old Jamaican Canadian university student living in the GTA area (Richmond Hill). She is a long-time friend of the interviewer and provides a unique perspective on Carribean identity. The interview covers various aspects of her heritage and identity, such as celebrations, traditional foods, and values. Taryn hopes that her contribution to this project will enrich Canadians’ knowledge of Caribbean stories and bring members of the Latin/ Caribbean community together.
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  Conversation with Sandra Carranco

  Sandra Carranco, a Bolivian immigrant with a PhD in physiotherapy, relocated to Ottawa from Mexico due to political instability in Bolivia. Encouraged by her brother-in-law, she sought safety and economic stability in Canada. Despite initial challenges like language barriers and professional setbacks, Sandra adapted and became an educational assistant. She is deeply committed to preserving Bolivian culture in Ottawa. Sandra co-founded a women’s group that plays Pasanaku and organizes cultural events, including Bolivia’s National Day and a Christmas celebration, emphasizing inclusivity. Sandra uses food as an essential vessel of her cultural heritage, seeks ingredients for traditional dishes, and passes cultural values to her children. Sandra’s story illustrates the resilience of Ottawa’s Latin American communities and her desire to change perceptions of Bolivia and Latin America.
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  Conversation with Saelle Pierre

  Saelle Pierre is a twenty-three-year-old who profoundly values her Haitian heritage and strong family bonds. She immigrated to Canada in 2009, an experience that shaped her appreciation for both her roots and her new home. Raised in a close-knit household, she was taught resilience, unity, and the importance of cultural identity. For Saelle, family extends beyond blood ties, encompassing the broader Haitian community, with whom she shared traditions and fostered a sense of belonging. She is passionate about preserving her heritage and ensuring future generations remain connected to their culture while embracing new opportunities in Canada.
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  Conversation with Rommel Molina

  Romel Molina is a Nicaraguan immigrant and political refugee who moved to Ottawa, Canada, in 1988 at the age of 13 to escape Nicaragua's communist regime. Initially eager to return home, Romel eventually embraced Canadian society. Although he and his family visited Nicaragua frequently until 2018, political instability has since prevented their return. In Canada, Romel found a sense of belonging within the broader Latin community, although he notes a divide between the Nicaraguan community and his own extended family due to political disagreements. Passionate about community involvement, Romel actively participates in events like Latin Fest, drawing inspiration from his parent's cultural engagement. He talks about the upcoming Tamale Festival on April 5th, celebrating Latin American culinary diversity. Romel is also dedicated to preserving his Nicaraguan culture within his family and instilling that into his children. Rommel reinforces through the interview the importance of family and work ethic to himself and his community. His story highlights the vital role of family and community within the Latin diaspora and how each cultural group contributes to Canada's rich diversity and evolving national identity.
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  Conversation with Rafael Rodriguez

  Rafael Rodriguez is a Dominican-Canadian from Santo Domingo who moved to Canada in 1999 after his grandmother’s passing to join his family. Now living in Ottawa, he actively fosters the Dominican community by organizing cultural events, including hosting this year’s Dominican Independence Day celebration, which features live music, performances, and dancing. He values community connections and has seen Ottawa’s Latin community grow over the years despite the absence of a sizeable Latin neighbourhood. Significant celebrations for him include Christmas, Dominican Independence Day, Dominican Mother’s Day, and community picnics. Passionate about music, food, dancing, and baseball, Rafael also works as a financial advisor, a career he pursued after taking various courses. A pivotal moment in his life was losing his 38-year-old sister to breast cancer in 2012, which led him to prioritize family and a meaningful career. His dedication to community and culture makes him a key figure in preserving Dominican heritage in Ottawa.
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  Conversation with Rafael

  Rafael is a Mexican male in his mid-20s who engineers software apps with a team and enjoys playing video games casually in his free time. He has been enjoying a quiet life since moving to Ottawa.
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  Conversation with Paolina Valdez

  This project is an ethnographic interview conducted with Paolina, a fourth-year Sociology student at the University of Ottawa. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, she shares her experiences of cultural adaptation, preservation, and connection as a member of Ottawa’s Latin American and Caribbean community. Through this interview, Paolina reflects on her heritage, the significance of food, music, and celebrations, and the challenges and opportunities of maintaining her Dominican identity while living abroad.
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  Conversation with Natalia Proano Gallegos

  Natalia is a nineteen-year-old student originally from Ecuador. She arrived in Canada when she was around twelve years old. Natalia first arrived in Winnipeg and then, later on, moved to Ottawa. Due to growing up in Ecuador, she feels very close to her Latin American culture. During this interview, Natalia will talk to us about the process of coming to Canada and telling us about her culture and identity.
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  Conversation with Mr. Alberto Camacho-Magallanes

  Alberto Camacho-Mallaganes was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico which is a city located approximately three hours northwest of Mexico City. At the age of three, the interviewee moved to California but frequently traveled back and forth between Mexico and the United States. Later the interviewee relocated to Ottawa for a PhD after receiving to participate in a research lab that was aligning with their academic interest.
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  Conversation with Luis Abanto Rojas

  Luis Abanto left his home country in 1985 when he was 17 from Peru and lived in France for six years as a refugee. Due to corruption and ongoing conflicts in his country, he moved for a better life. During his time at university, he met a Canadian girlfriend, which eventually led him to move to Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada, where he lived for two years. Motivated by his connection to the French language, Abanto chose to move to Ottawa to pursue his master's degree. His experiences across different countries have shaped his academic and personal journey. He feels like Ottawa is not big when it comes to the Latin population compared to Toronto. When came to Ottawa he lived in Vanier for 13 years. He enjoyed spending time with Portuguese who lived in his neighborhood.
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  Conversation with Laurine Beau de Rochars

  Laurine is a student at the University of Ottawa. She is currently studying in the graduate program in Anthropology. She mentioned being recruited to participate in the study through Taylor Paterson, our T.A., for this course in the Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean. Laurine is originally from Haiti. She was born in Port-au-Prince and grew up there until age eleven, when the 2010 earthquake hit, and she and her family moved to the United States. Later, they moved to Toronto and then to Ottawa, where they have been living ever since. In this conversation, Laurine shared how it can be difficult to feel fully accepted by the Haitian community on and off campus as someone who doesn’t speak and, for the longest time, was not allowed to speak the native language.
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  Conversation with Kevin Parre Duque

  Kevin Parra Duque was born in Medellín, Colombia, and later immigrated to Canada 15 years ago to pursue new opportunities. His journey began at the University of Toronto, where he laid the foundation for his career. Over the years, he travelled extensively, exploring different regions before settling in Ottawa three years ago. Kevin's move to Ottawa was driven by a job opportunity that allowed him to establish himself in the city and kept him closely connected to his Colombian roots. His work enables him to travel frequently between Canada and Colombia, maintaining a strong link between both countries. With 15 years of experience living in Canada, Kevin has built a life that bridges cultures, blending the best of both worlds.
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  Conversation with Kelmys S.

  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.
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  Conversation with Juan Pablo Higuera

  Juan Pablo was born in Colombia and moved to Canada after meeting and falling in love with a Canadian woman. Juan Pablo now lives in Ottawa with his wife and children. Although far from his home country, he remains connected to his Colombian roots through his work and community engagement. Although Juan Pablo does not live in a distinctly Latin neighbourhood, he still plays an active role in the local Latin American community. Through work, he collaborates closely with the Colombian embassy in Ottawa and has built strong connections with various Latin American embassies. For Juan Pablo, crucial aspects of his Colombian identity and community are celebration, togetherness, community values, and food. He additionally places immense value on the friendships and professional relationships he has established in Ottawa, and he recognizes the importance of maintaining cultural ties while integrating into Canadian society.
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  Conversation with Jonathan Griffith

  Jonathan Griffth is a twenty-year-old second-year Nursing student at the University of Ottawa. Jon is originally from Barbados. He came to Canada in 2013 with his parents and siblings. His mother was posted to Ottawa as a Diplomat. Jon was eight when he moved to Ottawa, so most of his life was spent in Canada. However, Jon made it a point to honour his country while living in Canada. He discussed that when he was in high school, and there were culture days or black history assemblies, he would ensure that his heritage was honoured, whether through food or general facts regarding Barbados. Although not mentioned within the podcast, Jon also told us that he wears a Barbados Flag Pin at his place of employment to honour his hometown. Near the end of the interview, Jonathan also takes a few minutes to reflect on his experience and offer any valuable advice.
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  Conversation with Jaime Bustamante

  Jaime Bustamante Salazar was born in Sonora, Mexico on March 3rd, 1976. He lived with his family until age fifteen, when he got an opportunity to go abroad as an exchange student in Columbus, Ohio, for a year. When he turned eighteen, Jaime moved to Mexico City, where he studied Industrial Engineering and International Commerce. Following University, he went on to work in Mexico City for a Canadian company that had recently started to operate there. After working for them for 3 years, the company offered him a position in Ottawa. Jaime moved to Ottawa in June of 2005 and has been here ever since. Jaime also celebrates his heritage by cooking, spending time with family, and sharing values such as respect for others, especially elders. Jaime strives to never forget his history and culture.
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  Conversation with Ivana by Linda Iganze

  Ivana is a self-assured Peruvian woman who has preserved her brilliant heritage after emigrating to Montreal, Canada, at the tender age of nine. She later moved to Ottawa to pursue higher studies before finally settling into a thriving career in event management while continually reaffirming the traditions and cultural practices that constitute her heritage. Ivana now resides in Gatineau but remains intimately connected to her heritage through family gatherings, cherished culinary traditions, and continuous community participation.
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  Conversation with Gabo P.

  Gabo, a Mexican immigrant who arrived in Ottawa at the age of 13, recounts his journey and the vibrant cultural tapestry he has embraced. His father’s employment with the Mexican Embassy facilitated their relocation to Ottawa, where Gabo has grown up immersed in a diverse society. Despite the distance, he maintains a strong connection to his roots by visiting Mexico City regularly and sharing his cultural heritage with his children. Gabo emphasizes the significance of celebrating Mexican Independence Day and the importance of honouring the traditions of the Day of the Dead within his family. He also highlights the traditional foods that continue to evoke a sense of belonging and foster his Mexican identity.
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  Conversation with Emmanuelle

  I interviewed Emmanuelle, a close friend of mine since high school. She is half Nicaraguan and half Canadian, born in Canada and currently living in Gatineau. Emmanuelle comes to Ottawa for her studies and attends the University of Ottawa. Although she grew up in Canada, she stays closely connected to her Latin American roots through her family, Nicaraguan food, cultural festivals, and visits to Nicaragua. She also has many friends from across Latin America, where she recognizes shared values and experiences. Emmanuelle embraces a blend of both cultures in her daily life, balancing Canadian experiences with her Nicaraguan heritage.
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  Conversation with Elvira Arteaga

  Elvira hails from Mexico, is a medical interpreter, and is the president of the Asociación Cultural Mexicano Canadiense Ottawa-Gatineau (ACMCOG). She has lived in Canada for the past 10 years and currently lives in Ottawa with her husband and children. Along with her work with ACMCOG, she regularly collaborates with the Mexican Embassy and takes part in cultural events throughout the year. Maintaining cultural values is very important to Elvira and her family, and she is consistently working to embrace the Latin American community in the capital region.
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  Conversation with Daniel Torres

  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.
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  Conversation with Carlos Gnecco

  Carlos Gnecco is a Colombian student studying International Development at the University of Ottawa. Inspired by Colombia's challenges, he developed a passion for social equity and sustainable development at an early age. After completing high school in Columbia, he set out to expand his understanding of global development issues through international education. Carlos is studying international development and globalization at the University of Ottawa through a multidisciplinary approach. His coursework encompasses sustainability, economic policy, and social justice, enabling him to analyze global issues critically. His active participation in student groups, advocating for marginalized populations and drawing attention to international problems, is a testament to his commitment. He has been involved in projects that promote environmental and community sustainability, demonstrating his commitment to creating positive change. Carlos aims to leverage his experiences and education to drive policy change and make a meaningful impact in Colombia and beyond, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation.
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  Conversation with Arturo Ortega

  Arturo is twenty-eight years old and born in Mexico City. He lived in Ixtapaluca, Mexico, before moving to Ottawa in August 2024. Arturo is taking his master's in bilingualism studies at the OLBI department. Arturo enjoys cooking Mexican food and attending Latin American events throughout the city to celebrate his heritage and feel closer to home. While he didn't move with any family, he is engaged to a Brazilian woman and enjoys spending time with her and her family.
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  Conversation with Anonymous

  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.