The Resettlement, Integration, and Identities of Ugandan Asian Refugees in Canada
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Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 3-13-2017 12:00 AM 'Gifts From Amin': The Resettlement, Integration, and Identities of Ugandan Asian Refugees in Canada Shezan Muhammedi The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Stephanie Bangarth The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in History A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Shezan Muhammedi 2017 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Canadian History Commons, Cultural History Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, and the Oral History Commons Recommended Citation Muhammedi, Shezan, "'Gifts From Amin': The Resettlement, Integration, and Identities of Ugandan Asian Refugees in Canada" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4438. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4438 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract Given the current climate of the global refugee crisis it is vital to investigate why and how Canada has admitted refugees in the past. Prior to the creation of formal refugee policy, several notable resettlement initiatives occurred within the country in the postwar period, including the arrival of Hungarian and Czechoslovakian refugees. This is the first academic study on the resettlement, integration, and identities of Ugandan Asian refugees who arrived in Canada between 1972 and 1974. They were the largest group of non-European and predominately Muslim refugees to arrive in Canada before the official creation of formal refugee policy in 1976. The purpose of the dissertation is to humanize those who have and are being persecuted around the world for various reasons, including political belief, economic despair, natural disasters, sexual orientation, religious affiliations, and racial intolerance. By recapturing the life histories of Ugandan Asian refugees, the dissertation refutes the essentialization of refugees as subjects to be admitted based on a nation’s political leanings, national security interests, and varying domestic concerns. Oral histories with Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada reinvigorate the broader Canadian historical narrative with the life stories of refugees that have been living in Canada for over 40 years. As refugees have transitioned to becoming active Canadians citizens, the project uses a direct case study to explore the motivations behind Canada’s decision to admit Ugandan Asians while simultaneously highlighting how the collaboration between the federal government and numerous voluntary organizations facilitated the adaptation and integration processes for refugees. Extensive archival research conducted at Library and Archives Canada in conjunction with over fifty oral history participants inform the first historical study on Ugandan Asian refugees in Canada. Using an interdisciplinary framework, this dissertation explores the personal identity constructions of Ugandan Asian refugees. Their multiple affiliations to Uganda, South Asia, and Canada are discussed in various ways that embody the pluralistic nature of Canadian society. Their expressions of self demonstrate how individuals can be dedicated nationals of a country while maintaining cultural, ethnic, and religious ties. Keywords Ugandan Asians, Refugees, Canadian Immigration, Oral History, Identity, Canadian Refugee Policy, Canada, Uganda, South Asia, Idi Amin, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Aga Khan IV Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank several institutions and individuals for their support and encouragement throughout this Ph.D. project. First and foremost, I want to thank the University of Western Ontario and specifically the entire history department. From wonderful hallway conversations to rigorous course work the department consistently pushed me to excel at the graduate level. I must also deeply thank the Migration and Ethnic Relations collaborative program at Western. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the MER program. The MER family has always been there for me as a graduate student since I started my Master’s degree in 2011. The faculty, the graduate students, and guest speakers significantly added to my depth and breadth of understanding when it came to migration. These interdisciplinary perspectives were absolutely vital to my dissertation project. I would also like to thank the entire team at Library and Archives Canada. Numerous staff members helped me throughout the several months of archival research to locate files and track down some particularly difficult boxes. One of the key starting points for my research at LAC was meeting with Michael Molloy. I cannot thank Mike enough for his continued support and encouragement throughout the project. Both Mike and Salim Fakirani have helped connect me to countless Ugandan Asians, community resources, and shared their insights on the research I produced. The times we have spent together over the past few years have truly meant a lot to me. Undoubtedly, I would not have been able to complete my studies without the support of my supervisor, Dr. Stephanie Bangarth. I cannot believe how far we have come from our very first meeting back in 2011 and your sound advice to write what you know. Without your dedication, vision, and guidance this dissertation would never have materialized. I am deeply indebted to you for your kindness, wisdom, and ability to motivate me throughout this journey. Of course, I am very grateful for the home cooked lunches, treats, and many dinners we have had together over the years. You have been my mentor, my friend, and my guide. This dissertation is a testament to your hard work and faith in me. There are a large group of friends and family who have also significantly contributed to the writing of this study. There are many of you who I have not named directly but have ii continuously kept me uplifted and inspired throughout this project. My many roommates over the years, Adil, Omar, and Azhar, have all been pillars of strength and guidance. You have all shown me the meaning of living in the moment, the power of positivity and gratitude, and made sure I had endless nights of laughter and smiles during my graduate career. Each one of you have become my blood brothers. I am also forever grateful to my family. The financial and emotional support from my father, mother, and grandmother have enabled me to pursue this degree to the best of my ability. They have worked tirelessly to provide for my two older brothers and myself. The only reason I had the opportunity to spend the last five years excelling in graduate school is because of your hard work and determination. Without these foundations, which you have instilled in me, I would never have completed this project. To my two older brothers, Rizzy and Faiz thank you both from the bottom of my heart for keeping me Zen and always being there for me. You have both given me sagely advice in the moments when I needed it most and believed in me before I believed in myself. All of your undying faith in me is what got me through the toughest parts of the research and writing phases. Lastly, and most importantly, I must express my sincere gratitude to every single member of the Ugandan Asian refugee community. Your resiliency, humility, and perseverance in all facets of life consistently inspires me as both a researcher and a fellow Canadian. Many of you opened your homes, and your hearts to me throughout the research project and I truly cannot thank you enough for sharing your life stories with me. They have made invariable contributions to this project and will to live on in the Carleton University archives. I continuously struggle to find the words to describe the level of hospitality, humility, and honesty that has been extended to me by this very community. I cannot thank you enough for the endless cups of chai, wonderful conversations, and countless meals that have truly changed my life in a very meaningful way. I hope that we may continue to honour the legacy of this community and of other immigrants and refugees that have resettled in Canada. This dissertation is dedicated to this wonderful community of Ugandan Asian refugees. Thank you. iii Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. iv List of Appendices ................................................................................................................ vi Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 Central Arguments ..........................................................................................................................5 Historiography and Literature Review .............................................................................................6 Situating the Ugandan Asian Experience with the Diaspora ...........................................................