|
As with any new immigrant group, the East Indian
community has had to endure its share of growing pains. In 1970
an unemployed East Indian immigrant, isolated from family back home
and unable to make friends in his new environment, took his own
life. News of this tragic incident shocked Toronto's Indian community.
A meeting was held by several concerned community members to discuss
ways in which such a tragedy could be averted in future.
At
the time many Indian organisations were in existence, but they were
primarily cultural, social and religious in nature. Although they
provided a familiar atmosphere linguistically and culturally, they
were not adequately equipped to address the particular needs of
and problems related to immigrant issues of concern.
Concrete
steps had to be taken to alleviate some of the stress experienced
by the newcomers. One of the primary issues was their initial unawareness
of available resources and avenues of assistance. In a large number
of instances, this problem was further complicated by language difficulties.
Services needed to be provided in a number of major Indian languages.
It was decided to form an organisation which would cater specifically
to the needs of the East Indian immigrant.
In
1972 the Indian Immigrant Aid Services (IIAS) opened its doors as
a community social service agency. Its mandate continues to be one
of providing social services conducive to the adjustment and proper
settlement of immigrants of East Indian origin, regardless of country
of origin. Settlement services which are provided include orientation,
information, resume preparation, job search assistance and referral
to appropriate mainstream agencies.
Among
a number of problems being faced by the immigrants, the foremost
is employment. While many East Indian immigrants are highly educated
and professionally trained, their degrees are usually evaluated
in Canada at levels far below those attained in India, and often
years of professional involvement in the homeland are not recognised
here. Many must take on menial jobs to make ends meet. The necessity
of having to upgrade both professional skills and academic certification
places added stress on an already difficult set of circumstances.
In
many cases the wives are also affected and must seek employment
to help the family out financially. While this factor may not be
a problem in other ethnic groups, in the East Indian community it
poses several difficulties. Traditionally the East Indian wife is
accustomed to staying at home. Her chief responsibilities entail
raising the children and maintaining the family's cultural, linguistic
and religious framework. When she joins the work place environment,
she is often confronted with an entirely different set of values.
Although transformations in appearance, dress and demeanor may seem
simple, associated psychological changes are more serious in nature.
Newly
acquired economic gains lead to independence in thought attitude
and behaviour. Her identity is no longer viewed as a mere extension
of her husband's. This new situation creates a conflict, particularly
when the husband is either unable or unwilling to accept this deviation
from the traditional role he expects her to play.
Marriage
breakdowns have begun to increase at an alarming rate. Requests
for assistance at the Indian Immigrant Aid Services have almost
doubled in the past five years resulting in an increased demand
for marital counselling services. The organisation has responded
to this need in a number of ways. It has established self-help groups
for women in various parts of Metro Toronto and participated in
organising a Making Changes program to assist women in making a
smooth transition from housewife to career woman.
It
has focused society's attention on issues of serious community concern
by submitting a brief on wife abuse to Ontario legislative committees
and by chairing workshops in the Conference on Racism, Sexism and
Work: The Visible Minority Woman. It has also expanded its services
to include an after-hours telephone "hot line" for emergency situations,
extended office hours once a week to provide greater accessibility
to its services and additional marital, career and personal counselling.
Indian
Immigrant Aid Services' recognition and support of women's issues
also include future plans to set up a shelter for women of East
Indian origin, as well as necessary day-care facilities.
Available
mainstream agencies cannot offer adequate services because of their
lack of familiarity with East Indian languages, cultural differences
and varying dietary habits dictated by religious beliefs.
It
is obvious that mainstream social agencies must implement necessary
changes in personnel to permit them to adequately serve clientele
of East Indian origin. To cite one example, the Metropolitan Toronto
Police Force has already responded by establishing an Ethnic Relations
Unit. Members include representatives from various ethnic groups,
as well as officers who speak a number of East Indian languages.
They often assist the Indian Immigrant Aid Services in matters ranging
from family disputes to community affairs. Until such time as other
organisations follow suit, it will be necessary to continue efforts
to establish an effective community-based network.
The
1970s heralded in a change in the pattern of immigration. Whereas
the immigration flow of the sixties consisted primarily of independents,
the seventies saw an increase in the dependent class. Daughters
and sons, who had by now established themselves in their new environment,
began to sponsor parents and grandparents.
The
result has been a sizable influx of this older age group. Senior
citizens have become an integral part of Toronto's East Indian community
with their own particular needs. One of the major problems they
face is that of loneliness. Although a large number live with their
children, they are often on their own while both children are at
work.
top
|
Their
age is prohibitive to seeking employment to occupy their time, and
as a result, they have no alternative but to rely on their children
for financial and emotional support and social involvement. The
Indian Immigrant Aid Services, in trying to overcome this problem,
has formed senior citizens' groups. The latest club has been formed
in the Flemingdon Park area.
While
it serves primarily as a social and recreational outlet, its main
purpose is to provide this age group with an opportunity to meet
with contemporaries in a familiar cultural and linguistic atmosphere.
Issues pertaining to their needs are discussed, and they are encouraged
to take responsibility for organising their own activities. Most
important, perhaps, the clubs attempt to re-establish an enhanced
self-image and a sense of belonging in the new environment.
Similar
services are also available for youth. One of the major problems
faced by this age group is relating to a dual cultural environment
- that of the home, on the one hand, and the outside world, on the
other. While in the family home they are expected to pattern their
lives according to the traditions and religious principles set forth
by their parents, in their educational and work environment, however,
they are confronted with an entirely different set of moral and
social practices and codes of behaviour.
Basic
customs such as dating, mixing in a coeducational environment, working
(particularly for girls) or choosing one's marriage partner, although
considered a normal way of life here, are not the norm for East
Indian society.
The
ensuing struggle between traditional-minded parents and progressively
westernized youth is now occurring frequently in many households
and is a major issue of concern for all parties involved. A film,
presently being produced by the Indian Immigrant Aid Services, entitled
Family in Transition, explores this real and difficult situation.
Set in an interview format, it outlines the concerns and fears shared
by parents and children alike and advocates the view that a healthy
balance can be attained by selecting the best of each culture, moulding
lifestyles accordingly.
As
a community organiser, the Indian Immigrant Aid Services promotes
inter and intracultural understanding. Numerous conferences and
workshops are held on current topics of interest to community members.
Issues, as well as possible solutions, are discussed.
This
spring a conference is being planned to discuss the results of a
Needs Assessment Study on the East Indian community. Results of
the conference will enable the Indian Immigrant Aid Services to
accurately gauge new areas of concern and to implement necessary
procedures to address them. A new film entitled Bridges,
produced by IIAS volunteers, has also received wide acclaim and
will be distributed on a nationwide basis this spring. The film
successfully illustrates contributions being made by East Indian
immigrants as they assimilate into Canadian society.
Also,
a collection of short stories, which focuses on the experiences
of East Indian immigrant youth, is soon to be published. Its objective
is to foster and promote a greater understanding of and sensitivity
to the struggles faced by the young as they adapt to their new environment.
The
Indian Immigrant Aid Services has also attempted to effect political
change. In the fall of 1983, it submitted a brief to the Special
Parliamentary Committee on the Participation of Visible Minorities
in Canadian Society, outlining positive ways to deal with racism.
Many recommendations were submitted ranging from necessary changes
in immigration procedures to the need for a fairer representation
of ethnic minorities in Canadian media and advertising. It was well
received and illustrates that participation in decision-making processes
is vital to promote intercultural awareness and understanding.
Towards
this end, the Indian Immigrant Aid Services is represented on various
government, community and mainstream agency committees. It also
liaises with many other ethnic groups on immigrant related issues.
On a social level, it sponsors the New Delhi Pavilion which has
participated regularly for the past several years in Metro Caravan,
celebrating the rich multicultural diversity of Toronto.
From
provision of direct services to participation in community events,
the Indian Immigrant Aid Services has, since its inception, tried
to keep abreast of the ever changing needs of the community and,
through its activities, maintain a sensitive and forward looking
approach to meeting these needs. This has been made possible financially
through grants received from all three levels of government and
the United Way and ideologically through the support, interest and
active participation of its volunteers, members, board, staff and
community - all of whom continue to give generously of their time,
talent and energy.
The
community is proud to be a part of Toronto's sesquicentennial celebrations.
It extends its congratulations to the City of Toronto as a place
that has, through the years, encouraged the growth of all communities.
The
numerous contributions made by each ethnic group have made Toronto
perhaps the most uniquely cosmopolitan city in the world. The East
Indian community has also earned its own place of distinction. It
has shared with Toronto its professional expertise in fields ranging
from academia, medicine and law to engineering and business, from
music and art to sports, fashion and cuisine.
It
takes pride in being part of the exciting changes in Toronto's make-up
and, through its evolution in the next 150 years, intends to make
an even greater impact.
|
