(Note: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) holds global conference in Nepal once in every two year. All National Coordination Councils (currently 55 NCCs) that are members of the NRNA are given an outline to report to the global secretariat for the global conference. This NRN-Canada report was submitted to the NRNA Secretariat for the purpose of 4th NRN Global Conference held on 13-15 October 2009 in Kathmandu. Highlights were presented at the conference. A condensed version is published in the 4th Global Conference Souvenir.)

Background

Canadians can trace their origins to an immigrant past. However, Canada’s immigration policy has not always been one with an open door. It was in 1971 that the federal government announced its policy of multiculturalism. Canadians today reflect a vast diversity of cultural heritages and racial groups. This multicultural diversity is a result of centuries of immigration. The people of Nepali origin have become one of the threads of such mosaic.

It is said that it was in 1961 when the first Nepali family set foot in Canada as permanent residents. For several years, there were only a few Nepali families living permanently. In 1991, the number of Nepali speaking people in Canada was estimated at 500. More recently, the 2006 census showed the Nepali population in Canada slightly below 4,000. Today, given the fast rate of growth due to birth, refugee claimants, family sponsorship and increased skilled worker applicants, Nepalese are among the fastest growing population in Canada, with the total population estimated above 10,000. Although the first generation immigrants dominate our population, an interesting phenomenon to note is that we are beginning to witness an emergence of the second generation population with leadership role in the community, who are born in Canada and/or grew up here with the Canadian education system. The degree of their immersion to the Nepali languages and cultures and exposure to Nepal is a function of efforts on the part of their parents/family members and that of the Nepali community.

About a dozen Nepalese community associations are formally registered in major metropolitan areas such as Greater Toronto Area, Greater Vancouver Area, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal etc. and various other towns to provide vital services to the community members and promote language and cultures. Community gatherings are organized by local community associations during the time of festivities such as Dashain, Mha Pooja, Nepali New Year, Lhosar, English New Year, Udhauli-Ubhauli, Teej and summer picnics. Radio programs have been initiated by the Nepali communities or individuals in various cities. Community recreation, popularly by way of playing soccer, has become common ritual. Festival celebrations and community gatherings provide major platform for the Nepali community members to network among each other, and have in particular, helped the newcomers adapt to the new environment. Nepali language classes are run for school children in various cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa etc. More recently, the Nepalese communities in 2

various cities and towns have increasingly shown their visibility in the Canadian society by participating in multicultural events and festivals. Some community associations have been assessing external grants for the community welfare. Another noteworthy development is that the Nepali community associations in some cities have started making their plans to establish Nepali community centers.

The majority of Nepalese arrive in Canada with University degrees, and often with some years of professional work experience in Nepal or elsewhere. Almost without an exception, finding employment is the top priority for the newcomers. Some immediately land on the employment of their choices; some will have to go over short-term focused trainings and/or voluntary services to gain Canadian experience, while others choose to receive College Diploma or University Degrees in the hope of increasing employment prospects. Majority of the families live with young families, thereby having deal with the challenges of maintaining a fine balance between work/job and family demands. While in general newcomers arrive in city centers, in this country of vast geography, families have also started migrating within Canada for employment, business and academic opportunities. Therefore Nepalese families are starting to be settled in some small towns of Northern Ontario, British Columbia such as Kelowna, and as far as towns and settlements in North-West Territories. Although relatively few in ratio compared to those who are working for government, private companies and non-profit organizations, there are Nepalese who have established themselves as successful entrepreneurs in diverse areas. While the picture may not have been all rosy, it will be a fair assessment to say that overall Nepalese have been doing relatively well in Canada, mainly because of their emphasis on values such as honesty, integrity and hardworking as well as priority on education, professionalism, family unity and social cohesion.

NRN-Canada was registered with the Federal Government of Canada in March 2007 as a national level representative organization of Nepalese in Canada. Its activities started in March 2008 when a 15-membered Provisional Executive Committee (PEC) was formed. The PEC decided on the date for the first national convention and started working for the same.

1. Membership Drive: As soon as the PEC was formed, membership guideline was developed and membership drive initiated. Membership drive for individual as well as organizational membership continues to date. Community members and associations from east coast to west coast to the northern territories are connected through the network of NRN-Canada membership.

2. Election Commission: A national level Election Commission was formed for the first time, Election guidelines were developed and election for the first National

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Coordinating Council was held right before the first National Convention in August 2008. A detailed Election Commission report is available at NRN Canada website.

3. First National Convention- The first National Convention was held in Toronto on August 23-24, 2008. On the 23rd of August, day-long panel discussion and open forum was followed by a Gala dinner with songs and music by Ms. Ani Choying Dolma and guest artists. Pioneer Nepalis who settled in Canada more than 25 years ago and also helped many Nepalese settle in Canada were felicitated. Nepali Mela- the Himalayan Festival, organized jointly with the Toronto-based Nepalese Canadian Community Services, was celebrated on the second day of the convention. The event showcased Nepali culture and heritage, including food, handicrafts, art, music, dance and songs. Souvenir Magazine was published and Souvenir T-shirts printed. The convention attended by NRNA leadership, several dignitaries and delegates; formally announced the first elected Executive Committee along with the National Coordinating Council. A detailed report is found at the NRN-Canada website.

6. Formation of National Level Program Committees: National level committees have been formed to design and coordinate NRN related programs and activities. They are-

By-Laws Review Committee

Membership Committee

Language, Literature and Culture

Policy and Research

Women and Children Welfare

Special Events and Volunteer Management

Youth Initiative

Similarly, following extensive media coverage on the diarrhea epidemic in the mid-western region of Nepal, a working group has been struck to work towards providing preventing approaches and longer term solutions, at least at village level so that our work can become a replicable model. 4

9. Events Organized by the Language, Literature and Culture Committee: This Committee organized events in the Greater Toronto Area, one in January 2009 to observe Basanta Panchami and the other in summer 2009 to mark the Bhanu Jayanti. Community members from outside the GTA participated by sending their poems and stories.