I’m More Than the Immigrant You Had in Mind
Often, immigrants are painted with a single, stereotypical narrative that fails to recognize their full identities and the wealth of knowledge and talent they bring. Canada, as we know it today, is built on settlement and immigration to Indigenous Lands and the unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. From the earliest European settlers to the most recent newcomers, all non-Indigenous people are part of Canada’s immigration story. Some families have been here for generations, while others have arrived recently, seeking refuge or better opportunities.
Nationwide, political shifts, soaring living costs, housing insecurity, and an overburdened healthcare system have ignited a surge in anti-immigration sentiment. However, it is crucial to recognize that these challenges are not caused by immigration.
Through photographs, audio stories, and podcasts, this exhibit offers a glimpse into the diverse immigrant stories that shape Canada. While not comprehensive, these stories reveal our shared human experience of hopes, dreams, and the pursuit of belonging and contribution.
Alejandra Lara-Espinosa
In this inspiring audio, Alejandra Lara shares her journey of moving from Mexico City to Canada in 2009 and the challenges she faced along the way.
Baset Zaher
In this audio story, Baset Zaher shares his personal journey from Afghanistan to Canada, reflecting on his educational and professional experiences along the way.
Célestin Shema
In this audio story, Shema Célestin shares his journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Rwanda, and eventually to Canada.
Claudia García
In this inspiring audio, Claudia García shares her journey from Mexico to Canada, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs she has faced over the past ten years.
Dani Cárdenas
In this enlightening interview, Dani Cardenas, originally from Colombia, shares her personal journey of navigating life in Canada over the past two years.
Edrissa Gassama
In this candid and heartfelt interview, Edrissa Gassama, originally from the Gambia in West Africa, shares his remarkable journey of adjusting to life in Canada.
Faeze Naderi
From making paper airplanes as a child to pursuing a degree in civil engineering at the University of Victoria, Faeze Naderi, originally from Afghanistan, shares her incredible journey to Canada.
Clarissa Cecillia “Issa” Mijares
In this heartfelt interview, Issa Mijares shares her journey of transitioning to life in Canada, moving from Manila to Victoria in the midst of the pandemic.
Liz Li
In this story, we meet Liz Li, a determined mother and accomplished professional who moved from Beijing, China, to Victoria, Canada, in search of a better future for her daughter and to escape the severe pollution in Beijing.
Marilynn Quigley
In this heartfelt interview, Marilynn Quigley, also known as Meyen, shares her 17-year journey from the Philippines to Canada.
Şansal Güngör Gümüşpala
In this heartfelt interview, Şansal, originally from Turkey, shares their journey of moving to Canada and pursuing their academic dreams.
Siavash Madani
In this insightful interview, Siavash Madani shares his journey from Iran to Canada, highlighting the challenges of integrating into society both professionally and socially.
Yasmeen Barakat
In this thought-provoking narrative, Yasmeen Barakat, a Palestinian-origin woman, shares her journey as an uninvited racialized settler on Lekwungen, Songhees, and Esquimalt Nations' lands.
Parker Johnson
In this thought-provoking interview, Parker Johnson, also known for his hermit-like lifestyle in the woods, reflects on the power of names and how they shape our identities.
Suzanne Alexa Marie Penola “Sam"
In this powerful interview, Suzanne "Sam" Penola, a political science graduate, opens up about her seven-year journey in Canada.
Executive Producer: Paulina Grainger
Creative Director: Quinton Gordon
Podcast Host: Yannick Oho Bambe
Photographers: Nathan Smith, Abadan Hamidulla and Solomon Wu
Contributors
Yannick Oho Bambe: Podcast host
My main achievements as a “seed planter” of cultural sensitivity have been the following: In 2006 I led the project A Taste of Africa an exhibition at the Museum of London which brought together in one space people of African descent and non-African descent. In 2013 I won a prize for the best short documentary at the London Independent Film Festival and a participation at the Short Corner Film Festival in Cannes that same year, for my very first short film When Tottenham Has Exploded which explored the underlying reasons for an act of racism against a member of a minority group in one of London’s most economically deprived area, an event that eventually led to riots in that neighbourhood and throughout the UK. The film also offered solutions to prevent the recurrence of such an event.
In 2016 as a director of the film When Humanity Knocked at Our Doors a film which explored the refugee crisis in the city of Calais in Northern France, a city situated at the UK border, the film was shot at a makeshift camp where over 3000 exiled people lived at some point before its destruction by the French authorities.
In 2021, I obtained my master’s degree in refugee studies and in 2023, the making of the podcast show The Diary of a Diversity Champ a project aiming at cultivating culturally sensitive spaces through sharing stories about a group of selected leaders in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space.
Nathan Smith: Photographer
Nathan Smith is a Black, Jamaican photographer who immigrated to Canada in his early 20s. His journey into photography began during a career hiatus when he picked up a camera and discovered his passion for creating compelling images. This passion deepened during the creation of his 2019 project, Profiling Black Excellence, where he photographed BIPOC individuals from Greater Victoria and documented their experiences with racism. This project, exhibited during Black History Month, not only shaped his love for portrait photography but also coincided with his own reflections on racial identity in North America.
In 2020, amidst the global resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Nathan began collaborating with clothing brands to increase diversity in hiring and advertising, particularly in outdoor recreation spaces. This advocacy for inclusion propelled his career in commercial photography, where he continues to push for representation with major brands.
Beyond his advocacy and commercial work, Nathan has a deep love for both portrait and wedding photography. He finds immense joy in capturing the beauty, emotion, and timeless moments that make each wedding unique, as well as creating portraits that tell authentic stories and highlight the individuality of his subjects. Whether through portraits or celebratory events, Nathan’s work reflects his commitment to storytelling and celebrating human connections.
Abadan Hamidulla: Photographer
Abadan Hamidulla is originally fom Afghanistan, and for the past 8 years, I’ve worked as a photographer. She loves capturing the real, unscripted moments of life, especially when it comes to families, children, and couples. Photography for her is about connecting with people and telling their stories through images.
In 2024, she was honored to receive second place in UNESCO’s Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads photo contest. Being part of the I’m More Than The Immigrant You Had In Mind project means a lot to her. It’s an opportunity to show the richness of different cultures and share the voices of people like herself. Based in Victoria, BC, Abadan continues to look for new ways to tell meaningful stories through her photography.
Solomon Wu: Photographer
Solomon Wu is a Chinese-born filmmaker and photographer with over 20 years of professional experience in journalism and documentary storytelling. Before immigrating to Canada in 2017, Solomon managed an independent film studio in Beijing, serving national TV networks and prestigious organizations such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His award-winning documentaries have reached hundreds of millions of viewers in China.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Solomon restarted his career in Canada as a videographer and photographer. Driven by a deep commitment to social impact, he focuses on amplifying the voices of newcomer immigrants and refugees, striving to help them gain visibility and support within Canada’s mainstream society.
This project is produced and presented to you by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria and powered by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
