Easing the transition: Newcomer fair helps people find community, belonging

Under a hot Saturday sun at Freight House Field in Winnipeg’s Centennial neighbourhood, children bounced on inflatable castles, families lined up for food, and the sounds of cultural performances carried through the crowd as newcomers to Winnipeg gathered for an annual celebration.

“We’re all trying to build a relationship together.”

That was the message from Clayton Sandy on Saturday at Winnipeg’s Newcomer Welcome Fair, where he shared Indigenous teachings and helping newcomers better understand the history of the land they now call home.

Hosted by Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and community partners, the fair, now in its 10th year, brought together more than 30 settlement organizations, employers and community groups to help newcomers access services, explore job opportunities and connect with their new community.

Among the rows of booths and activities, a tipi was set up as a space where newcomers could learn about its significance and Indigenous teachings.

Sandy, a Knowledge Keeper who works with about nine newcomer-serving agencies, said part of his work is helping build relationships between Indigenous communities and people arriving in Canada from around the world.

“I find that a lot of newcomers, they don’t understand our history,” said Sandy, whose home community is Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation. “When they come to Canada, all they see is what they see on Main Street or homelessness, and they don’t realize how people got there. So my job has been working on trying to get them to understand our history.”

Sandy said he also sees common experiences between Indigenous people and newcomers.

“A lot of the things we have in common is racism,” he said. “When they come here, a lot of them face racism as well.”

Organizers of the Newcomer Fair said the event’s purpose is to ease the transition to Winnipeg, helping people find community, resources and a sense of belonging in the city.

“It’s very important for people to feel welcome, socializing, sharing space, sharing food, sharing cultures,” said Reuben Garang, Executive Director of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.

The fair originally started as a way to welcome Syrian newcomers arriving in Winnipeg in 2016, but has since grown to include newcomers from around the world.

“This is an intercultural learning opportunity for people in Winnipeg, and everybody is welcome,” Garang said.

Maysoun Darweesh, executive director of the Winnipeg Initiative for Refugees, knows what it is like to settle in a new country.

Originally from Syria, Darweesh moved to Winnipeg in December 2012 and now works with newcomer youth and children, as well as a refugee sponsorship program.

“We had an advantage when we came; I spoke English, I’m educated. But many newcomers don’t have this privilege,” Darweesh said at her information booth. “So our job here is to help, to support, to make it easy for them.”

“People benefit a lot from (the welcome fair) not only because they get information related to the services, but they get an opportunity to connect with everyone,” she added.

For Ayodele Abiodun, who moved to Winnipeg from Nigeria in 2021, the fair was a chance to do just that.

It was his first time attending the event, and he came hoping to find employment opportunities.

While exploring the booths, Abiodun stopped at the Winnipeg Public Library table, where he got a library card — something he had never had before.

“It’s the first time I’ve come to an event like this where I see new immigrants come in,” Abiodun said. “I haven’t been to such an event before, so it’s nice to see everyone.”

Among those taking part in Saturday’s fair was Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, who marked his fifth year at the event by spending the afternoon mingling with attendees.

“It’s such a fun and important festival to make sure all people who come to Winnipeg recently know they belong in Winnipeg,” he said.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Manitoba welcomed 18,950 new permanent residents in 2025, with 14,240 choosing to make Winnipeg their home. More than one in four Winnipeggers is a newcomer.

“Whether it’s my family that came over 100 years ago or people that have just moved to Winnipeg in the past few weeks, we’re all part of one great city that needs to come together, support one another,” Gillingham said.

zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca