The film features footage of Parks Canada’s Learn to Camp program, which last summer brought new immigrants from Edmonton to the Palisades Centre and Wabasso Campground for a two-day outdoor workshop. There, they learned to make fires, set up tents and respect wildlife and nature.
The purpose of such programs—which exist in other national and provincial parks as well—is to take away the barriers that stop newcomers from exploring their new country. Those barriers can include the cost of transportation, accommodation and park fees, and lack of knowledge.
The programs also exist to teach new immigrants the value of Canada’s natural spaces, showing them that nature is worth respecting and protecting.
With two thirds of Canada’s overall population growth attributed to immigration, it is especially important that new Canadians are taught that respect and appreciation. Otherwise, says Robert Bateman, Canada’s famous wildlife artist and environmentalist, we could end up with a whole generation that turns its back on nature.
“I think Parks Canada taking out new Canadians to have adventures in nature is the best news that I’ve heard maybe in years,” he says in the film. “It is so important. It’s so, so key and it’s so refreshing and so creative.
“New immigrants, if they want to really partake of Canada, devour Canada, become a bit more Canadian, I think that nature is absolutely a must.”
The film introduces viewers to new immigrant—some who have been in Canada for as little as a month and others who have been here for as long as four years. All signed up for some form of wilderness workshop or training.
For some, the Learn to Camp program is their first time sleeping outdoors. For others, it brings back memories of their home countries.
“I used to sleep in tents, out like this, as a soldier in national service,” says Nahom Araya of Eritrea, Africa. “It’s very common to sleep under trees, at the bottom of mountains and I love it so much.”
But in the documentary, Alisson Ogle, communications officer for Jasper National Park, notes that past experiences in tents might not be so positive for some people.That’s why, she says, the program begins at the Palisades Centre, where participants are taught all about camping before they have to go out and do it themselves.
“Some people might have bad associations with tents. Where they come from, tents may have been part of a refugee camp or something that has negative associations. So starting here, starting slowly, helps them get comfortable; and then when we transition it to the tent, it’s more about the nature and we hope to create a really positive experience without putting anybody anywhere they are uncomfortable.”
To learn more about Jasper’s Learn to Camp program and the other programs being offered to new immigrants throughout Alberta’s parks, tune in to CBC’s Documentary Channel May 17 at 7 p.m. to watch Nature’s Invitation.
