FINAL REPORT

Daphne Winland and Sarah Wayland

2001

SYNOPSIS

This research project investigated various factors that influence immigrants' participation in Canadian civil society. In particular, we focused on the role of transnational ties with a view toward better understanding the purported links between immigration and the breakdown of social cohesion. How do strong transnational ties with the country of origin influence the political organization and civic participation of newcomers to Canada? To answer this question, we studied two groups in the Greater Toronto Area that have strong homeland ties: Croatians and Sri Lankan Tamils. The primary data collection tools included in-depth interviews, participant observation, and the monitoring of computer-mediated communication.

According to Canadian philosopher Will Kymlicka, citizenship is comprised of two analytically distinct components: "citizenship as legal status" ie. full membership in a particular political community and "citizenship as desirable activity" - the extent and quality of one's participation in that community. The correlations to be drawn between the two reveal complex relationships as this data demonstrates. To research these two ethnic groups and their ties to both Canadian and homeland societies, we undertook in-depth qualitative interviews with ethnic leaders and other Croatians and Tamils, archival research, analysis of statistical databases, monitoring of computer mediated communication and participant observation. The collaboration on this project consisted of several meetings between the two lead investigators, plus frequent e-mail and telephone contact. As outlined below, we each took responsibility for research of one ethnic group (Winland for Croatians, Wayland for Tamils).

Interviews Winland's one-on-one interviews were conducted by herself and two community-based researchers, with 22 participants. These were conducted in both English and Croatian languages. These interviews included three interviews with community leaders (priest, head of Croatian community service association and the Chair of a Croatian homeland relief group (specializing in adoption of Bosnian Croat orphans). Wayland has transcripts of 16 interviews with Sri Lankan Tamils, six of which were conducted by the community researcher. These interviews were conducted in English and Tamil and included two interviews with community leaders. The hand-written transcripts of ten additional interviews conducted by the community researcher were lost in the mail.

Archival and data-base searches. This consisted primarily of statistical information-gathering as well as literature searches, the latter of which have turned up very little on Croatians or Sri Lankan Tamils in Canada.

Training of students and community-based researchers. Those hired for this project included two MA students, three undergraduate students, and three community researchers. One MA student was jointly employed by both Winland and Wayland to conduct research into statistical databases (Federal = Statistics Canada Dimension Series, Citizenship and Immigration, as well as Provincial and Municipal databases). She also did Web-based searches in the Internet for Croatian sites and chat rooms run by Croatians. Winland's second MA student conducted analysis of interview data and performed bivariate and trivariate analyses and correlations. Principal Investigator compiled and analysed open-ended interview responses. Winland's community researchers were selected through contacts with several Croatian agencies. These were recent university graduates in Anthropology and in English Literature, one of whom is a member of a Croatian folklore group and the other a volunteer with a Croatian service organization (for new immigrants). The training offered to these students involved ethnographic field observation and interviewing techniques. One additional community researcher was a recent Croatian immigrant. Her interpersonal skills and proficiency in the language as well as her uncle's stature in the community (coach of Croatian soccer league and fund raising during the "Homeland War" made her an ideal candidate for contacts and Croatian language interviews.

Wayland employed senior undergraduates at Brock University which is primarily an undergraduate institution (though one student became an M.A. student during the course of the research). Student A conducted an exhaustive search for web-sites containing information primarily about Tamils and Sri Lanka. Student B accompanied Principal Investigator on two interviews in Toronto, conducted a third interview on his own, transcribed interviews, and cultivated links with Tamil students on the Brock campus so as to encourage them to be interviewed for the project. Student C did some Tamil translation. A Tamil community researcher who was a recent immigrant to Canada and lived and worked within the Tamil community was hired to conduct interviews. These individuals were selected for their research abilities and interpersonal skills, but this project provided opportunities to develop new skills in every case. For example, the community researcher had worked as a teacher in Sri Lanka and Canada, but she had never conducted interviews for the purpose of research.

Sri Lankan Tamils. In the 16 interviews, the ratio of women to men was five to eleven. The mean year of birth of the respondents was 1961, and the mean year of arrival in Canada was 1991. The qualitative responses indicate that this is a community dedicated to making its future in Canada. Of the sixteen respondents, 11 had Canadian citizenship, three were not yet eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, and two were eligible but had not applied. (Interestingly, one of the latter self-identified as "Canadian" as opposed to Tamil or Tamil-Canadian.) Research reveals that this is a mobilized community as well. Of the 11 citizens, nine have exercised their right to vote, and seven have engaged in other political acts such as demonstrations. Fourteen of the 16 respondents belong to organizations. Most of these organizations are Tamil, but the university-age respondents were more likely to belong to non-Tamil organizations such as the Red Cross and university clubs. One university student stated that he abandoned his Tamil language lessons when a conflict arose with his hockey practice.

There was more variance on the question of identity. Nine respondents referred to themselves as Tamil-Canadians or Canadian Tamils, two as Tamils only, and one each thought of themselves as "Sri Lankan Tamil", "Ceylonese," "Sri Lankan", then "Canadian," and "Canadian."

Taken as a whole, these interviews reveal a sense of sadness and loss about events in Sri Lanka, guilt and relief at having emigrated, and pessimism about prospects for peace. Several respondents talked about how life was very stressful in Canada and how people were driven by money and success and hardly had time for their own families anymore, in addition to regret for loss of values. Yet, with one exception, no one believed it likely that they would go back to Sri Lanka, either because there is no end to the war or because they have now made Canada their home. Most of those interviewed believed that Tamils in the diaspora had a responsibility to influence Sri Lankan affairs, and most of them kept track of politics and life in their former country. These interviews also revealed the extent to which Tamils have become a diaspora people. To illustrate, one informant is the oldest of nine children, not one of whom is still in Sri Lanka. His wife's siblings have all left the country as well, as have this couple=s four children. As to why they chose Canada, many came because they already family in this country, but almost every informant mentioned something about liking multiculturalism or Canadians being tolerant.

By and large, Tamils are recent arrivals to Canada. That they have taken up citizenship, participated in politics, and joined associations to the extent indicated by the small sample size belies the supposition that immigration is responsible for declining social cohesion in Canada. Despite the psychological and economic difficulties endemic to settling in a new country, indications are that Sri Lankan Tamils are grateful to be in Canada and will use all their energies to make life in a new country work as best they can.

There is considerable on-line activity pertaining to the conflict in Sri Lanka and specifically to the Tamil diaspora. Principal Investigator has been monitoring the Tamil Circle, a Tamil news listserv that caters to Tamils in the diaspora, since 1998. Postings to this pro-LTTE forum indicate that Tamils in Canada are as vocal as Tamils anywhere, and they pay close attention to what is said about Tamils in the Canadian media and by the Canadian government. Regarding web-sites, close to 20 English-language web-sites that promoted a Tamil perspective were found. For the most part, these focused on dissemination of news items and human rights concerns, but some also contained a focus on Tamils in the diaspora. Four of these web-sites were run from within Canada. About 20 other web-sites, none of them Canadian-based, defined themselves as "pro-regime" or "anti-terrorist" (ie., opposed to Tamil independence) with regard to Sri Lanka.

Croatians. In the 22 interviews, respondents ranged in age from 18-69 and the ratio of women to men was 13/10. Forty percent were Canadian-born while the others arrived in Canada between 1960-1994. This group therefore represents various levels of incorporation, exposure to and familiarity with Canadian socio-political institutions and ideals. The majority of Canadian-born first generation subjects (N=9) has pursued post-secondary education with the exception of two interview subjects. Of the remaining thirteen subjects who are Croatian immigrants to Canada, only two have received post-secondary training and are employed in manual and semi-skilled professions (construction and factory workers, sales).

Croatians, regardless of origin or circumstances of arrival in Canada, have developed a sense of belonging and a stake in norms, practices and ideals that are integral to social cohesion in the Canadian context. This is revealed in the nature of their organizational structures, their attitudes and expectations towards the homeland and the levels of civic participation. The historical depth of this community, varied historical and personal circumstances under which they emigrated/fled to Canada and their ongoing relationships both intra-communally and transnationally (with their compatriots in the homeland), has informed both Croatian levels of incorporation and commitment to Canadian ideals and practices. Considered together, these factors add historical depth and meaning to the concept of social cohesion as it applies to Croatians -- a process involving more than the identifiable parameters of participation in community associations etc. but a longitudinal perspective on civic engagement. One of the major indicators involves not only ethnically defined participation with members of a defined community but the linkages and networks formed with other religious, humanitarian, political and advocacy oriented groups.

The main analytical parameters investigated included levels of political participation (both within the ethnic community and in wider mainstream society). Levels of political participation are defined here as a) active participation in terms of involvement in Canadian political party/constituency offices/organizations (volunteering, scrutineering during elections, voting, etc.) and b) passive participation (keeping abreast of current affairs in Canada through reading paper, radio and television). Civic participation was determined through an examination of the types of affiliations Croatians based on age, location of birth and gender. For example, first generation respondents who discussed their participation in non-ethnically based organizations/activities considered it a point of pride that they have developed relationships and formed partnerships with organizations that are not ethnically defined. These include voluntary affiliation with non-political groups such as civic community organizations, immigrant services (e.g. OCASI), charities through the Croatian and other Catholic churches and municipal multicultural councils. Levels of political/civic participation: Of those interviewed, 37% are involved in Croatian community organizations including churches, and sports/recreational clubs. The younger Canadian-born generation reported showing little interest in homeland politics but visit Croatia. The gender issue became significant in the area of political interest in the homeland: seven of the eight participants who reported that they had no interest in homeland affairs were female. Croatian immigrants to Canada have a greater degree of involvement and interest in the homeland, irrespective of when they emigrated to Canada. While most indicated dissatisfaction with the two post-communist regimes in Croatia, they nonetheless were committed to keeping in touch with events "back home". The nature of their involvement spans sending remittances to family in Croatia, regularly listening to homeland radio broadcasts, involvement in Croatian church functions (some of which are geared to homeland concerns), Croatian folklore/dance groups which often travel to Croatia and some in relief efforts.

Other factors investigated included the frequency of dual citizenship status and its effect on civic participation and identity as well as those practices which serve to perpetuate, enhance or otherwise serve to maintain ties to the homeland such as cash remittances to family in the homeland, direct political/financial support for political causes and/or investments in countries/regions of origin and the efforts of state governments (both host and homeland) to strengthen and/or discourage diaspora involvement in homeland affairs. Citizenship Status - Eleven participants have Canadian citizenship, two do not have Canadian citizenship, two are not yet eligible and six (born outside of Canada) have dual Croatian and Canadian citizenship. Those who hold Croatian passports reported its significance primarily as a source of identity and belonging. Others who responded that they do not have Croatian passports stated that they saw no advantages in doing so or that when they came to Canada they had Yugoslav passports. One respondent who did not have dual citizenship reported that she wouldn't mind it now but that "Before independence this wasn't possible. Before it was Croatia, I had a Yugoslav passport, but what kind of citizenship is that!"(female, 55). "Canada is my country....I was born in Croatia, but my kids were born here. It has become very important to me" (female, 60). Ethnic/national identification: eight participants who responded to this question identified themselves as more "Croatian" than "Canadian" while five reported feeling more "Canadian". These opinions vary across age, sex and place of birth. In response to the question "Do you believe that Croatians outside the homeland have a role in her future?" 59% responded that they do, reflected in quotes such as the following: "I believe they definitely have a role in her future because we have a lot to offer them. How the democratic processes go, work. They still don't know what they can gain from democracy" (female, 45). "We can help democratic development at least by having us as an example...They are still running the government in the same way, no matter what they call themselves" (male, 38). Computer-mediated Communication Most Croatian web-sites focus primarily on Croatian culture and heritage (Croatian government sites, tourist sites, historical on-line publications, etc.), friendship societies, media web-sites (Croatian dailies and weekly editions of news magazines), selected Croatian political party sites, personal homepages, Croatian-Canadian business directory, advertising, and university student associations. Many young Croatians communicate through "chatplanet.com" as well as a web site dedicated to listing personal email addresses. Most politically-oriented web-sites and themes have subsided since the war ended in 1995. Comparative Analysis on Croatian and Tamils. We have found that despite the obvious differences between these two communities (in terms of length of settlement in Canada, issues of receptivity, race and discrimination, etc.) and the intensity of homeland ties due to homeland conditions (instability, violence and war), both Tamils and Croatians exhibited a deep commitment to Canadian ideals despite missing some aspects of homeland. Their willingness to incorporate into mainstream Canadian society is evidenced in: political participation (voting, knowledge of political party platforms e.g. Liberal commitment to pluralism), participation in charity and other relief efforts, pursuit of higher education, and ideological/symbolic indicators such as democratic ideals, social justice, equity and opportunity. In both groups, the younger generation appears less interested in homeland politics. There is no evidence that ongoing interest in and ties to the homeland delays the development of a hybrid Canadian identity. Regarding differences between the two groups, in many ways the Tamil community today is undergoing some of the same traumas that Croatians in Canada experienced in the early 1990's: both engaged in violent wars of secession from a government dominated by another ethnic group, wars which were strongly fueled by money and leadership from the diaspora. Today, Tamils contribute to the war effort in various ways, but they see little chance of ever returning to Sri Lanka to live. Croatian-Canadians, on the other hand, do not believe as strongly that they have a role to play in Croatia=s future. This may be considered the next phase of integration into Canadian society for some Croatians.

Winland, Daphne. "The Politics of Desire and Disdain: Croatian Identity Between "Home" and "Homeland". American Ethnologist forthcoming, 29#3, 2002

Winland, Daphne. "10 Years Later: Croatian-Canadian Diaspora Involvement in Croatia" submitted for review Nations and Nationalism, 2001

Wayland, Sarah. "Diasporan Involvement in Homeland Conflict: Croatians and Sri Lankan Tamils in Canada," in Raymond Blake and Andrew Nurse, eds., Nationalism, Citizenship, National Identity: Perspectives on the Evolution of Meaning of Citizenship and Nationalism in Canada (Harcourt Brace, forthcoming).

Wayland, Sarah. "Waging War from Overseas: The Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora," in Rey Koslowski, ed., International Migration and the Globalization of Domestic Politics (Routledge, forthcoming).

Papers Presented on CERIS-funded Research

Winland, Daphne. Plenary speaker, Croatian Sociological Association meetings, November 16-18, 2001.

Winland, Daphne. "The Politics of Desire and Disdain: Croatian Identity Between Ahome" and "homeland" Canadian Association for Sociology and Anthropology Montreal, May 3-6,2001.

Winland, Daphne. "Revisioning Homeland: The Cultural Politics of Croatian Trans(national) Identity" Nationality and Citizenship in Post-Communist Europe, Paris, July 8-92000.

Winland, Daphne. "The Cultural Politics of Croatian Transnational Identity" European Association of Social Anthropology Krakow, Poland, July 26-29 2000.

Wayland, Sarah and Daphne Winland. "Transnational Politics and Civic Engagement in Canada." Presented at the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association 15^th Biennial Conference, Toronto, 26 March 2000.

Winland, Daphne and Sarah Wayland "Civic Participation and Homeland Ties: A Comparative Study of Croatians and Sri Lankan Tamils in the Greater Toronto Area." Annual Metropolis Conference, Toronto, March 2000.

Wayland, Sarah. "Diasporan Involvement in Homeland Conflict: A Comparison of Croatians and Sri Lankan Tamils in Toronto." Paper presented at the "Nationalism, Citizenship, National Identity" Conference, Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, 13 November 1999.

Wayland, Sarah. "Transnational Politics for Independence: A Comparison of Croatians and Sri Lankan Tamils in Toronto." Paper presented at the American Political Science Association Annual Meetings, Atlanta, 4 September 1999.

Winland and Wayland have drafted reports of preliminary results for participants in this research. We have also circulated a letter offering the results of this research to agencies/associations that did not participate in this research. We are also committed to providing access to copies of the statistical data (e.g. correlations of statistical data, NOT personal interviews) and other database information compiled during the course of this research. It is hoped that these could be a useful resource for our research partners and participants in conducting their own studies, analyses etc.

This research indicates that participation in ethnic or other community-based associations is an important means of socialization for newcomers to Canada. Ethnically-based associations, for example, provide a safe space for transition, where information about Canadian laws and customs can be circulated in one's mother tongue. While Canadian-born Tamils and Croatians are afforded multiple opportunities, both formal and informal, for civic education through schooling and peers, first generation immigrants often face language barriers in addition to the day-to-day struggles of adaptation to an unfamiliar environment. In this research, Croatians and Tamils demonstrated a commitment to the ideals of democracy and human rights broadly defined, but they were often unfamiliar with the mechanisms of building a civil society in Canada beyond the periodic practice of voting. The civic education of newcomers to Canada should go beyond that entailed in citizenship acquisition processes. We prefer a proactive and sustained approach in which persons trained in civic education directly engage with ethno-cultural communities. We therefore propose that efforts (federal, provincial and municipal) are undertaken to identify centres of community-based activity (e.g. ethnically-based associations, committees and clubs, places of worship) and to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate programs to educate newcomers of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Organizations and services that facilitate inter-community dialogue and cooperation should also be promoted.

This research demonstrates that the existence of transnational ties, even those that are identified as intense as in the case of Croatians and Tamils, does not mitigate against social cohesion in Canada. Both groups have ties to homelands where democratic ideals and processes have been suppressed and are therefore grateful for the opportunity to live in a country free of such hardships. We argue that the road to greater incorporation requires a concerted "hands on" effort to educate newcomers, both conceptually and pragmatically, how to become more involved and engaged citizens.

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