The History of Iranian Women Migrants in Vancouver 1978-2007
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ZANCOUVER: THE HISTORY OF IRANIAN WOMEN MIGRANTS IN VANCOUVER 1978-2007 by Nicole Bailey B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2004 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Department of History © Nicole Bailey 2008 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2008 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission ofthe author. Approval Name: Nicole Bailey Degree: Master of Arts Title of Thesis: Zancouver: The History of Iranian Women Migrants in Vancouver 1978-2007 Examining Committee: Chair: Paul Sedra Assistant Professor of History Andrea Geiger Senior Supervisor Assistant Professor of History Felicitas Becker Supervisor Assistant Professor of History Derryl McLean Supervisor Assistant Professor of History Lara Campbell External Examiner Assistant Professor of Women’s Studies Date Defended/Approved: August 5, 2008 ii SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Revised: Fall 2007 SIMON fRASER UNIVERSITY THINKING OF THE WORLD STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, or (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, or (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada last 1"EM8b'I: Summer 2007 Abstract This thesis examines the migration ofIranian women to Vancouver, B.C., between the period 1978 through 2007. One ofthe most significant factors influencing this migration was the Iranian revolution of 1978-1979, although Canadian immigration policy also impacted the migration ofIranian women to Vancouver during the last quarter ofthe twentieth century. This study utilizes oral history interviews with Iranian women to analyze the multiple reasons for their emigration from Iran and subsequent settlement in Vancouver. It demonstrates the internal diversity of Iranians in Vancouver in terms of their reasons for leaving Iran and coming to Canada, their political affiliations, religious beliefs, personal value systems, and attitudes regarding class and status. These differences have resulted in feelings of divisiveness and distrust amongst Iranian women in Vancouver and have inhibited the development of a sense of community based on a shared national background for Iranians in Vancouver to date. Keywords: migration; Iranian women; Vancouver; gender roles; oral history iii :Jor my mother. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to begin by thanking all ofthe Iranian women who shared their personal stories with me and contributed to this project. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Andrea Geiger for her support and encouragement throughout the past year, Dr. Derryl MacLean for inspiring me to learn about Iranian history and continue on to grad school, and Dr. Felicitas Becker for her commitment to my work and the time she spent with me helping to conceive ofmy initial project. I would also like to thank Dr. Parin Dossa and Poran Poregbal for their insight and assistance in helping me realize this project. And finally I would like to thank my amazingly supportive friends and family who have been a constant source ofencouragement and assurance for me throughout this process. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ii Abstract iii Dedication iv Acknowledgements v Table of Contents vi Introduction 1 Literature Review 3 Chapter Outlines 7 Methodology 9 Chapter 1: Revolution and Relocation: The Migration of Iranian Women to Vancouver 1978-2007 15 The Revolution 21 Iranians in Vancouver 34 Conclusion 48 Chapter 2: Mountains, Ocean and Opportunity: Reasons For Migration and Settlement in Vancouver, B.C 50 Iranian Migrants in the United States and Canada 51 Leaving Iran 60 Coming to Canada 63 Conclusion 77 Chapter 3: "We are lonely islands, everyone of us Iranian people." Divisions and Distrust among Iranian Migrant Women in Vancouver 80 Changing Standards ofAppearance andBehaviour 92 Class, Status and Changing Gender Dynamics in Iranian Families 98 Religious & Political Affiliations Shaping Divisions andEngendering Distrust 105 Conclusion 111 Conclusion 114 Bibliography 119 vi INTRODUCTION Following the 1978-1979 revolution in Iran, Vancouver B.c. became home to an increasing number ofIranian migrants. This study examines how the histories ofIran and Canada shaped the reasons Iranian women left Iran, and the reasons they chose to migrate to and settle in Vancouver. Far reaching changes to the prevailing social, political and economic systems in Iran following the revolution meant dramatic shifts in the daily lives ofmany Iranian women. These changes led many women to emigrate, whether in fear for their lives or due to a more complex combination offactors. The way they experienced these changes differ according to their religious views, political ideologies, class and personal familial background. For example, women affiliated with dissident political groups, along with religious minorities such as Baha'is, were persecuted under the new regime, while other women encountered obstacles to their personal freedom in different ways, such as through the imposition ofa mandatory dress code. Iranian women who settled in Vancouver during the period 1978 to 2007 comprise an internally diverse population. Their differing backgrounds and reasons for migrating also created new challenges for these women in developing a unified sense of community in Vancouver based on a shared national identity. Background The history ofthe Iranian revolution is important in understanding the various factors that influenced the emigration ofmany men and women from Iran in the years following 1978. The Iranian revolution of 1978-1979 led to the fall ofthe Pahlavi 1 monarchy and the establishment ofan Islamic Republic in Iran. The Iranian monarch, Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, was forced to abdicate his throne and flee the country on January 16, 1979, after nearly a year ofpopular uprisings, demonstrations and protests against his regime involving a broad spectrum ofIranian society. 1 Following the abdication of the Shah, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile in Paris on February 1, 1979, usurped control of the Iranian government proclaiming Iran an Islamic Republic, and named himself the supreme leader.2 The revolution and subsequent creation of an Islamic Republic had countless ramifications for Iranian society: of particular interest to this study is how these ramifications impacted the emigration that ensued. Different segments ofIranian society migrated from Iran in the years following the revolution. The reasons varied: many fled due to religious, political or gender persecution; others emigrated due to loss ofemployment, inflation and economic uncertainty; many more left due to the violence and turbulence ofthe revolution