Up until last week, the only time Abdulrahman Al-Rasheed had slept in a tent was when he was forced to live in one of Iraq’s refugee camps several years ago.
“We sleep in this tent now and we try to compare it to the ones we were living in the refugee camps,” Al-Rasheed said. “There you have nothing and you can do nothing—you live in fear, but here you can open your tent or go to the washroom or even have a party.
“Instead of bombs and gunshots you hear people laughing and singing—you can actually sleep at night.” Â
Al-Rasheed was one of about 40 refugees—who recently arrived in Edmonton—who spent three-days camping at Whistlers Campground as a part of Parks Canada’s Learn to Camp program. The program is designed to introduce new Canadians to the country and its national parks. This is the sixth year the program has brought newcomers to Jasper National Park.
Like Al-Rasheed, for many in the group it was their first time camping for pleasure. Â Â
“It’s hard because there you have to live in a camp and share things with strange people, but here we do it for fun,” Al-Rasheed said.
Many of the refugees have only been in Canada for about six months. They came from some of the world’s most troubled countries, including Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and the Congo.
During the group’s three-day experience they were taught basic camping skills, went on a few hikes and paddled around Lake Edith.
“When they first got here it was raining and the weather was horrible and they were struggling to put up their tents under tarps, but over the course of two days they learned some camping skills and they started chopping their own wood,” said Kevin Gedling, a partnering engagement officer for Parks.
“They were switched on to nature in such a short time—I think it’s really amazing.”
At the end of each night, the tired campers would gather around a roaring fire, sharing music, laughter and stories of home.
“My favourite part is all the sharing. We were all strangers at first, but we’ve made these beautiful relationships,” said Jamilah Kanakree, who moved from Syria with her family about six months ago. “But it does make me miss home—it’s like my soul is there, but my body is here.
“I have hope that things will get better and I feel lucky to be here. At home you’re always ready to die—you count your life minute by minute.”
Frank Bessai, a settlement orientation coordinator for Edmonton’s Catholic Social Services—one of the program’s partners—said the Learn to Camp program not only introduces newcomers to Canada’s natural landscapes, but also introduces them to a welcoming environment.
“They have to learn about a new life in Canada. They have to discover a new profession and really start all over again and that can be really challenging for adults or for people who have gone through challenging situations like war and conflict,” Bessai said. Â
“This experience gives them an overwhelmingly positive attitude and keeps them smiling as they go through this difficult path of trying to find their way in this country.”
By camping, Bessai said it allows the group to get out of the city and participate in one of the most “Canadian activities” there is.
“They want to integrate into the country so bad, but they aren’t just going to go out and do this stuff naturally,” Bessai said. “We grow up camping so all this stuff seems so normal, but for them it’s not.”
In 2015, the federal government promised to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February 2016. To date, more than 30,000 refugees have arrived in Canada.
The federal government also promised to expand the Learn to Camp program to ensure that more low- and middle-income families have an opportunity to experience Canada’s outdoors.
“We are like the chosen ones—I don’t know how that happened,” Al-Rasheed said, adding that aside from living in Iraq he had also spent time in Syria. “But as I’m sitting back and looking at this beautiful area it’s like I’ve got my hand in the fire because a part of you is always still at home.”
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
