The Influence of Family on the Refugee and Immigrant Children’s

Cultural Adjustment: Can School Intervene in this Process?

Research Team: Valery Chirkov University of Saskatchewan - Principal Investigator

Koreen Geres ESL teacher, Saskatoon, SK - Collaborator

Research Domain: Education

This project will investigate the social, psychological, and organizational factors that influence social and cultural adaptation of immigrant and refugee children (I&RC) in Saskatoon schools. This research is guided by the theoretical frameworks developed by several cross-cultural, social and developmental psychologists and social scientists for studying acculturation and immigration. This specific goal is to investigate family- and school-related factors in predicting the success of adaptation of these children. The study has a cross-sectional design and includes face-to-face interview and questionnaire modes of data collection from I&RC, their parents and teachers. The level of children socio-cultural adjustment will be assessed using academic, social-psychological and well-being indicators. Within the family environment, we will study such variables as parents’ expectations regarding their children’s academic success and future career goals, reasons to move to Canada, willingness to stay here, expectations about life in Canada including how these expectations have been met, and acculturation attitudes. Regarding schools, factors that will be investigated include: school policy toward I&RC and ESL, other teachers’ and Canada-born students’ attitudes toward I&RC. Content analysis will be used to analyze open-ended questions and correlational and multiple regression analyses will be used to analyse quantitative data. The results of this study will produce information useful for teachers and counselors working with I&RC, the organizations dealing with refugees and family immigration, and the institutions developing policies of immigrant adaptation and integration in Saskatoon.

Chinese/Canadian Adoption: Immigrant Families,

Cultural Integration, and Transnational Networks

Research Team: Sara K. Dorow University of Alberta - Principal Investigator

Stan Ruecker, University of Alberta – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Social and Cultural

Intercountry adoption intimately binds visible minority adoptees and white Canadian parents across the national, racial, and cultural borders that often divide citizen and immigrant; yet this unique form of migration has only recently made its way into international migration scholarship (Lovelock 2000; Selman 2002). Both adoptees and their parents face the challenges of responding to racism, making sense of the national and cultural origins of adopted children, relating to immigrant communities, and traversing real and imagined transnational kinship chains. This study examines these challenges through the case of Chinese/Canadian adoption (the largest of intercountry adoption programs), focusing on the metropolitan areas of Vancouver and Toronto. It employs narrative, visual, and web-based methods of analysis to study how adopted Chinese children and their parents negotiate integration and identity formation across key social spaces: home, school, neighborhood, adoption community, Chinese American community, and the Chinese and Canadian nations. Of particular interest is how these youth experience integration as Chinese immigrant girls in white Canadian families, and how they and their parents potentially create new kinds of community both locally and transnationally. This study contributes to scholarly research on adoption, but also uses the case of Chinese/Canadian adoption to develop new knowledge of complex transnational identities, as well as cultural and racial conditions of integration. The study also has implications for several areas of immigration policy and adoption practice: multicultural education and anti-racism, approaches to family reunification, the citizenship and experiences of immigrant children, and links between immigration and development.

Evaluating the Housing Careers of Recently-Arrived Refugees

in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg

Research Team: Rick Enns University of Calgary - Principal Investigator

Tom Carter University of Winnipeg – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Health

Although immigrants to Canada have historically achieved the housing status of other Canadians over 20- to 25-year time periods recent immigrants have failed to achieve similar gains and are more likely to experience housing distress and core housing need. Immigrants from “non-traditional” source countries appear to be at an even greater disadvantage and refugees have experienced even higher levels of housing distress, core housing need and homelessness. These difficulties may be related to systemic barriers and discrimination in the housing market. Early disadvantage in the housing market is likely to increase if refugees are unable to access adequate, affordable housing to meet the changing needs of their families and households, and inadequate housing has been associated with poor health and social outcomes. A housing careers perspective is proposed to study the housing experience of recently-arrived refugees in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Different program and policy environments in these three cities provide an opportunity to examine housing careers in different contexts and to consider the effects of particular policies and initiatives on immigrant housing. Initial data collection will examine policy and program environments and housing profiles in each city, and quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be used to evaluate the physical, financial, locational, and psychological/social aspects of the housing experience for recently-arrived refugees. The examination of housing careers in different municipal and provincial jurisdictions will contribute to program and policy recommendations. The research design proposed in this study can be extended into a longitudinal analysis of refugee housing careers.

Immigrant Health Status and Work Activity

Research Team: Derek Hum University of Manitoba - Principal Investigator

Wayne Simpson University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Economic and Health

Past literature on economic integration of immigrants find that immigrant earnings converge toward those of comparable native born workers over time. Recent research using panel data suggest that immigrant earnings for recent cohorts do not achieve parity (Hum and Simpson 2004). The role health status plays in the process of immigrant integration is less well understood. Although studies exist on the effects of health on labour supply, this literature (U.S.) concentrates on older white males and focus on retirement decisions (Currie and Madrian 1999). Further, no attention is paid to differences between immigrants and the native born.

This study examines links between health, stress and economic outcomes of Canadian immigrants using the Canadian Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID), motivated by the fact that Statistics Canada now incorporates such measures in the redesigned SLID. The SLID is a series of overlapping 6-year panels, with a new panel enrolled every three years; the second panel, enrolled in 1996, collects information on self-evaluated health and stress.

Our goal will be to provide basic general estimates of the impact of health on work activity for immigrants (and native born) across age categories. We will also develop a general analysis to allow us to trace the onset of health problems and their relationship to work activity for immigrants by country of origin, to be linked to national health indicators, such as health expenditure per person, to assess the impact of health systems on health and labour market outcomes. Our results have implications for immigrant integration and its links to health policy in Canada, particularly how health status (in addition to wealth and income conditions) might affect retirement, pensions and labour force activity of immigrants.

The Academic and Social Integration of Immigrant Students

Research Team: Sandra G. Kouritzin University of Manitoba - Principal Investigator

Research Domain: Education

The focal point of this research project is to examine how peer interactions influence language socialization, by which is meant social role formation and identity development. The proposed research will specifically address how the use of English relates to adolescent and child English second language (ESL) students’ participation in school events, the “identity positions” (Toohey, 2000, p.94) that are available to them, and the communication that occurs between and among ESL students and majority culture students who are native speakers of English (NS) in comparison with communication among NS majority culture students. The proposed research also addresses what identities, social relations, and ideologies (Fairclough, 2001) are evidenced in the interactions and communication events (Kouritzin, 2004b) that take place, and how all of these affect the ways in which immigrant ESL students experience—or do not experience—success in public education (e.g., Ashworth, 1984). Three forms of data collection will be used: “shadowing” of students in and out of class, interaction logs/diary studies (Norton, 2000), and open-ended individual interviews with focal students and with school stakeholders.

Specifically, the objectives are: (1) to record and analyze identity positions available to focal students; (2) to analyze educators’ and peers’ perceptions of their roles in educating and interacting with ESL students; (3) to document ESL students’ perceptions of their language and identity development; (4) to synthesize scholarly research on adolescent language and identity development; and (5) to report findings to scholarly, professional and community audiences.

Understandings of Spousal Sponsorship

in South Asian International Arranged Marriages

Research Team: Noorfarah Merali University of Alberta - Principal Investigator

Research Domain: Education and Social/Cultural

The South Asian practice of arranged marriage is often applied across international borders, leading to family class immigration. Existing research on the experiences of sponsored women in South Asian international arranged marriages has uncovered relationship problems that serve to limit women’s integration, including prohibitions against seeking ESL training and employment, forced social isolation, threats to terminate financial support, and threats of deportation. The nature of the maltreatment and its effectiveness in compromising women’s attempts to participate in Canadian society suggests women’s possible lack of understanding of their rights and the rights of their sponsors. Furthermore, it raises questions about whether sponsors accurately understand the sponsorship agreement. The objective of the proposed research is to examine the focus and content of information available to potential sponsors, as well as to directly assess sponsors’ and sponsored persons’ understandings of spousal sponsorship. A Content Analysis will be performed on information in all available sponsorship documents and settlement agency orientations. Ten males who are currently initiating applications to bring their South Asian brides to Canada after arranged marriages and 10 female sponsored spouses (5 English proficient, 5 non-English proficient) will also participate in semi-structured interviews addressing the meaning of sponsorship, individual rights and responsibilities, perceived or anticipated changes in the marriage after sponsorship, and their relation to integration. If sponsors and sponsored persons show misunderstandings, changes to sponsorship information and procedures may be required to safeguard against spousal maltreatment.

ECONOMIC DOMAIN PROJECT

The Economic and Demographic Impact of Immigration

Research Team: Peter Li University of Saskatchewan – Principal Investigator

Shiva Halli University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Richard Wanner University of Calgary – Co-Investigator

Lori Wilkinson University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Economic

A central issue in Canada’s immigration policy discourse has to do with the value of immigrants to the receiving country. In the past, economists have tried to measure immigrants’ economic value in terms of whether they enrich the resident population, compete with the resident population for jobs or provide a level of efficiency to the aggregate economy. The purpose of this project is to take the demographic forces into account to assess the economic and demographic effects of immigration to Canada since the 1970s, with a view to project the future. Specifically, the research project examines the following questions: What has been the effect of immigration on Canada’s population and economy? How would the volume and composition of immigration change Canada’s future?

The proposed research adopts a multi-dimensional perspective to address the question of the effect of immigration. The economic and population effect of immigration is studied in four inter-related dimensions: labour component of industries, income distribution, population change, and diversity outcomes. Li will study the first component regarding the effect of immigration on the labour component of Canada’s industries, using census data and data from recent surveys. Wanner will address the second component about how immigration affects the occupational structure and income distribution, using several censuses. Wilkinson will examine the effect of gender and diversity on immigrants’ earnings in Canada and the US, based on updated micro-census data. Halli will assess the long-term demographic outcomes of immigration using population data and simulation models. The research has policy implication for Canada’s economy and its demographic future.

The Long Term Effect of Immigration on the Future Population of Canada

Research Team: Shiva Halli University of Manitoba – Principal Investigator

Peter Li University of Saskatchewan – Co-Investigator

Richard Wanner University of Calgary – Co-Investigator

Lori Wilkinson University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Economic

George et al (2001) argue that even if Canada accepts annual migration of 225,000 and attains life expectancy of 80 years for males and 84 years for females by 2026, Canada will experience a net annual loss in population on the magnitude of about 10,000 persons by 2025/26 because of more deaths over births. The population loss will intensify, reaching about 120,000 persons by 2035/36 and about 197,000 by 2050/51 (George et al., 2001). In his recent book, Li (2003) makes a strong case for Canada to expand the annual intake of immigrants, since immigration would be the only source from which Canada’s population and labour force can continue to grow. The ultimate question is not whether Canada has much to gain in expanding immigration but whether Canada can afford the loss of not increasing immigration? Does Canada want to continue down a path of population decline? To understand the full impact of such a loss or gain requires simulations and projections made under varying assumptions, in order to capture more accurately the impact of immigration on sensitive indicators such as such as the average age of the population, the proportions of children, persons retirement age, and the numbers of people at ages of entry/departure from the labor force. The thrust of this component is to analyze the role of international migration (net, immigration, emigration) on population change (size, age, sex composition, provincial distribution) in Canada’s future. The study will examine factors that contribute to the relative labor force involvement and unemployment of immigration groups.

The Economic and Demographic Impact of Immigration

Research Team: Richard Wanner University of Calgary – Principal Investigator

Shiva Halli University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Peter Li University of Saskatchewan – Co-Investigator

Lori Wilkinson University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Economic

The proposed research adopts a multi-dimensional perspective to address the question of the effect of immigration. The economic and population effect of immigration is studied in four inter-related dimensions: labour component of industries, income distribution, population change, and diversity outcomes. Li will study the first component regarding the effect of immigration on the labour component of Canada’s industries, using census data and data from recent surveys. Wanner will address the second component about how immigration affects the occupational structure and income distribution, using several censuses and the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants. Wilkinson will examine the effect of gender and diversity of immigrants’ earnings in Canada and the US, based on updated micro-census data. Halli will assess the long-term demographic outcomes of immigration using population data and simulation models. The research has policy implication for Canada’s economy and its demographic future.

The Effects of Gender, Race and Occupational

Structure on the Earnings of Immigrant Women

Research Team: Lori Wilkinson University of Manitoba – Principal Investigator

Peter Li University of Saskatchewan – Co-Investigator

Richard Wanner University of Calgary – Co-Investigator

Lori Wilkinson University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Economic

This project examines the effect of gender and race and occupational structures on the earning outcomes of immigrant women in Canada and the US. Evidence from several studies in both countries indicates that earnings equations differ for immigrant women and men, but few studies attempt to compare the differences crossnationally. Findings from the few comparative studies available suggest that immigrant women in the US, with some exceptions, suffer greater economic disparities that their counterparts in Canada. This research will investigate the extent to which this trend continues today. It is an assessment of how country of arrival (Canada or US) may differentially influence economic outcomes for immigrant women. Variables such as fertility rate, number of children under age 6, and marital status, along with standard human capital variables such as education and work experience, are used to model their employment wages. The crossnational comparison uses four Census datasets from 1990/91 and 2000/01. The findings will apply to Metropolis Policy Priorities Number 6 and 11. The proposed project is part of a Prairie Centre Economic Domain project, headed by Peter Li including Richard Wanner and Shiva Halli.

EDUCATION DOMAIN PROJECT

Intercultural inquiry with pre-service teachers

Research Team: Nancy Arthur University of Calgary – Principal Investigator

Darren Lund University of Calgary – Co-Investigator

Yan Guo University of Calgary – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Education

Our research project focuses on the preparation of teachers for effectively responding to the needs of culturally diverse student populations. Teachers have a responsibility as agents of social integration and require cultural competencies that support responsive teaching practices. The purpose of this research project is to (a) engage pre-service teachers in dialogues about intercultural inquiry, (b) record the values conflicts and dilemmas that they face in their teaching roles pertaining to cultural diversity, and (c) document the professional education and learning practices that enhance their cultural competencies. The main intent of the project is to examine the ways that pre-service teachers are prepared for professional roles through reflective practice about the meanings of cultural competence. We will employ weekly reflection questionnaires and focus groups with our pre-service teachers to identify critical incidents about intercultural inquiry. The research outcomes have strong relevance for private and public shareholders through a) expanding upon theoretical perspectives of intercultural inquiry in professional practice, b) informing codes of ethics for working with students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds; c) identifying the perceived barriers to developing intercultural competence in teacher education curriculum, d) building stronger linkage between professional education curriculum in post-secondary programs and practice realities in schools, e) informing curriculum in professional education programs about ways to incorporate competencies for cultural diversity and social justice in teaching practices, f) informing and becoming informed about best practices to strengthen the linkage between cultural diversity and social justice interventions in education, and, g) developing new curriculum material to inform inquiry-based learning.

Promoting the pursuit of intercultural

competence among pre-service teachers

Research Team: William Dunn University of Alberta – Principal Investigator

Miriam Cooley University of Alberta – Co-Investigator

Anna Kirova University of Alberta – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Education

This study investigates the roles that teacher educators play in the construction of pre-service teachers’ attitudes, beliefs, and commitments toward ethnic and linguistic diversity. It focuses on how these processes can be infused into existing subject-area teacher education courses as a means of creating closer ties between the pursuit of intercultural competence and everyday teaching practices within various disciplines. The significance of the study stems from the need for teachers to respond effectively to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population in Canada.

The researchers will use action research to investigate their own teaching practices, while also considering student teachers’ perspectives and the role of institutional and contextual factors. Data will include instructors’ observations, field notes, and reflective journals, as well as student questionnaires, reflective journals, and focus group interviews. The first phase of the study involves the creation of instructional materials for fostering intercultural competence within four subject-area teacher education courses. The second phase involves the implementation of the courses. The third phase involves following up with student teachers during their teaching practicum.

The findings will hold relevance for, and will be disseminated among, (1) teacher educators seeking to understand the relationship between teacher education and the pursuit of intercultural competence among student teachers, (2) school personnel seeking to understand the relationship between teacher education and schools’ efforts to respond to the needs of diverse student populations, and (3) immigration and settlement workers who have a stake in how educational practices can foster greater social inclusion in a diverse and multicultural society.

Critical incidents in intercultural education in the practicum

component of an initial teacher preparation program

Research Team: Seonaigh MacPherson University of Manitoba – Principal Investigator

Romulo Magsino University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

David Mandsuk University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Glen McCabe University of Manitoba – Co-Investigator

Research Domain: Education

This study of intercultural teaching considers how it can be “taught” more effectively in the context of the practicum component of pre-service teacher education. The specific objective is to investigate collaborative reflections of critical intercultural incidents experienced during practica through weekly on-line dialogues between teacher candidates, collaborating teachers, and university-based teacher educators (i.e., professors). Six pre-service teacher candidates at the University of Manitoba are being partnered with six collaborating teachers and six university-based teacher educators. Applying a participatory action research model, the teacher candidates do the actual data collection, which will begin by interviewing and interpreting personal narratives of critical intercultural incidents from their mentors’ and their own teaching and/or childhood histories. Subsequently, the main data sources will be observations of critical incidents reported during practica. The teacher candidates will be asked to log: a) descriptions of each critical intercultural incident; b) why they consider it “critical”; c) what it suggests about to them about intercultural teaching. The findings will assist policy makers in Education sectors identify criteria associated with intercultural teaching to be applied in pre-service and in-service professional development. Also, it will contribute to: a) the development of a Centre for Inquiry School; and b) why they consider it “critical”; c) what it suggests about to them about intercultural teaching. The findings will assist policy makers in Education sectors identify criteria associated with intercultural teaching to be applied in pre-service and in-service professional development. Also, it will contribute to: a) the development of a Centre for Inquiry School; and b) the inclusion of critical incident case studies as pedagogical tools. Finally, the study will enhance the social capital of the region through building “social connectedness” and trust between participating organizations, institutions, and individuals.