ISU

My ancestors have immigrated from many different countries, but the path I have chosen to research is the one I feel I am most connected to. Trinidad, the most southern Caribbean island, is where my mother’s parents both originate from. My grandma had explained a few experiences of what immigrating to Canada was like, however I only knew vague reasons as to why they decided to. Unfortunately my grandma passed away recently, and my grandpa no longer lives in Canada, so my research is based on grandmother's story, told by her sister, Patricia, as my grandparents immigrated separately. Ultimately, my research has shown me that my life would be very different if my grandparents had never immigrated,my outlook and attitude most likely changed from what it is now.

My grandma moved here in 1956, at the age of fourteen. Her parents had decided that it would be best for her and her five other siblings, because they would have more opportunities for higher education. My grandma’s family planned for years to make the difficult move here, and finally they made the trip on June 18th, 1956. They brought only what they needed along with few family heirlooms, leaving many of their things behind. Starting anew, they were unaccustomed to Canadian life, but quickly developed skills to make their family thrive. They moved to Hamilton, as it was bigger than Toronto at the time; holding more job opportunities for my great grandparents, yet still close to all the recourses they wanted their children to have. Dofasco, a steel company based in Hamilton, provided jobs to my grandma’s brothers, which aided in the family’s substantially greater living expenses. My grandma married my grandpa on June 6th, 1964, and they began their struggle to start anew once more. By the time my mother and her sister were born, they were in secure jobs and living in Mississauga.
The housing here is very spacious compared to the housing in Trinidad, and when my grandparents bought their first home together, they searched for something with more land for their children.

As I did not have access to my grandparents photos or keepsakes, below is one of the few photos my mom has from earlier on in my grandmas life, my grandparents engagement photo.

Seeing as the trip was very hard to make, I asked my aunt what their lives would have been like if they continued to live in Trinidad. Although she was only 7 years old when they moved here, as the youngest of the six siblings, she recalls the quality of life they had, and the things her brothers and sisters took part in. The first thing that she mentioned was the cost of living there. “With everyday necessities being significantly cheaper, our family had extra money for luxuries that we could not afford after our move here.” But had my grandma’s family stayed in Trinidad, they would not have had the opportunity they received here, and many of the family connections they made here would not have taken place. Her parents both died at age 65 from cancer, but had they continued to live in Trinidad, the the cost and level of health care available there would have reduced the time they had together. Our family has had many issues with health, including my grandma, but the free, advanced health care has enabled my family to strive and make the memories we would have been denied otherwise. After explaining this, my aunt concluded that their lives were made much better by moving to Canada.

Taking all of this in, I questioned what my own life would have been like had I been born in Trinidad. In the Caribbean, “Trinidad is known to be one of the most culturally diverse islands, possessing no dominant culture, although standard English (British) is taught.” (Scott) In this aspect, as a country, Trinidad is much more accepting, and encourages different cultures and practices. They also strongly encourage education, “obligatory and free … for children between 5 and 16 years. Contrary to other countries in the area, (they) provide free transport, books, and meals which has resulted in the highest rate of elimination of illiteracy in the area; 98%” (Roudy) Unfortunately, many children are neglected and become involved in illegal activity such as “drug trafficking or prostitution” (Roudy), causing them to be subject to more violence. These children are left with their opinions suppressed, the newer generations with a weak voice. Due to this, I feel living there would make me feel less significant; although this may develop a more influential personality.

Overall, as a teenager living in Trinidad, although I would have had some of the luxuries other people would have been denied, my opportunities and resources would have been limited. I am grateful my family immigrated to Canada, and that my ancestors persevered through the difficult journey, enabling a secure lifestyle for us.

Works Cited

Johnson, Patricia. Telephone interview. 14 Jan. 2017.

Roudy, Lauraine. "Children of Trinidad and Tobago." Humanium, 22 Feb. 2013,

    www.humanium.org/en/americas/trinidad-and-tobago/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2017.

Scott, Sean. "How Is Life in Trinidad and Tobago." Quora, 5 Sept. 2016,

    www.quora.com/How-is-life-in-Trinidad-and-Tobago. Accessed 11 Jan. 2017.

Toumson, Jessica. Trinidadian Housing. 24 Apr. 2012. Caribbean City, 

                photo.bluespacecaribbean.com/?p=200. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.

Bungalow Residence. Ruthaho, www.ruthaho.com/foundprintview.php?offset=0. 

               Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.