On Monday, March 30 we held the IPSK Community Engagement Gathering. It was truly meaningful to see 65 participants from over 28 organizations and ethnocultural groups come together to engage in honest, thoughtful conversations about newcomer integration in Saskatoon.
The began the day with a land acknowledgement and welcome from Gary Beaudin, followed by a powerful blessing from Language Speaker Fern Bear. With Sheri Benson guiding us as MC, the day unfolded with intention and care.
We are grateful to Dr. Mahli Brindamour for grounding us in the realities of newcomer health and community-based care, and to Dr. Judy White for leading a thoughtful workshop on working together in complexity. The discussions throughout the day, across tables, sectors, and lived experiences, highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities in our collective work.
Some key reflections that emerged:
- We cannot approach newcomers as a single, uniform group—experiences and needs are diverse.
- Some groups remain less visible, including children and individuals facing mental health challenges.
- Refugees continue to be among the most vulnerable.
- There is a clear need for stronger cross-sector collaboration.
- Greater alignment across all three levels of government is essential.
Through dialogue and shared reflection, each group identified one insight, one tension, and one opportunity for collaboration. These conversations reinforced a simple but powerful truth: settlement happens across systems, everyone has a role, and connection itself is a critical resource.
We are also grateful to IRCC and United Way Saskatoon and Area for their support in making this gathering possible, and to Anna Socha from Streamline Visuals and Drawing Change for capturing the spirit of the day so creatively.
