The Government of Canada has committed to resettling at least 40,000 Afghans as quickly as possible. Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, 17,590 vulnerable Afghans have landed in this country through various streams, primarily as government assisted refugees, with over 1,500 settling in BC alone. In the last Census information currently available from 2016, there were close to 84,000 Afghans living predominately in communities in Ontario, Quebec, and BC. With this latest humanitarian operation, the Afghan community is set to grow with more diverse settlement patterns across the country.

In response to this, Afghans in Ontario and BC came together to build greater understanding and awareness of the great diversity and richness of their culture and traditions. From food to music, language to hospitality, geography to poetry, the video reveals some of the many commonalities we all share.

Accompanying this educational documentary, is a study guide. This study guide was developed to supplement the perspectives you will hear in the documentary. Both learning tools aim to provide information for the Canadian public, including community stakeholders, private sponsors, immigrant and refugee serving agencies, school, etc – to create understanding of the culture of newcomer Afghan refugees resettling in Canada so they can support in making more welcoming communities for our new neighbors.

This documentary and study guide serves as an educational cultural profile for those working with and supporting newcomer Afghans resettling to Canada, including:

• Settlement service agency staff
• Private sponsors
• Government representatives
• Community stakeholders
• Volunteers