Hazel Lamont speaks from experience when giving immigrant farm families tips on adjusting to life in Canada.
She and her husband moved to Canada from Scotland 20 years ago to settle on a dairy farm near Hargrave, Man. There was plenty of work to do, but Lamont quickly recognized the importance of getting involved with neighbours.
“We made the community our extended family,” she recalls.
During Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon last week, she warned that a farm can become like an island or prison unless there are social outings and ties are developed in the community. She emphasized the importance of balancing work with play.
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“Go to as many community activities as you can. Your neighbours want you involved in the community. You’re something new and exciting in the district.”
There are a variety of groups to become involved with ranging from church and sports to craft and drama clubs.
Immigrant farm families can also benefit by getting their children involved.
“Baseball may not be our favourite game, but don’t tell anyone that. Let the children join sports,” Lamont said.
“Don’t overload them with them, but it’s your way to get into meeting other people, some other people that are not necessarily farmers.”
She advised against huddling within one specific ethnic group. Instead, she urged recent immigrants to Canada to learn about the diversity of cultures and traditions in their new community.
“How are weddings celebrated? What happens with a death in the community? What happens at a fall supper, at Halloween, at Christmas? They’re all different from what you’re used to.”
History books about the community and its people are usually available at rural libraries. Lamont said those books offer a sense of the area and how the people living there are connected.
“It’ll stop you putting your foot in it when you’re talking to people.”
Maps of the municipality are another way to learn about the people. Neighbours typically will make an effort to get acquainted with newcomers, but the immigrant family also needs to reach out to those around them.
While getting to know the neighbourhood, take what is said about others with a grain of salt, Lamont warned.
“You decide for yourself which of the neighbours you can get on with. Don’t take anything they say for granted.”
She also encouraged immigrant farm families to seek out positive people.
That will provide motivation to do positive things, she said.
Meanwhile, immigrant farm families need to relinquish some of the things they were accustomed to in their native country.
For example, the feudal system still flourishes in Europe, said Lamont, but it is not wanted in Canada.
Many people move to Canada for a fresh start and new opportunities. Mistakes made in the past should be left behind if nothing more can be learned from them.
“Don’t compare your new life to your old life,” Lamont said.
“Don’t look back. Don’t slip back into what you thought was a comfort zone.”
She urged immigrants to become citizens of Canada as soon as possible.
Gaining the ability to vote in elections or to serve on hospital and school boards can add to the sense of belonging.
“Your neighbours may think you a bit na•ve when you come, but you’ve got fire and driving force and that will make up for what you’re lacking. Make use of it well.”
Lamont took her own advice and became a member of the Southwest Farm Women’s Network, which helped organize some of the speakers at the Manitoba Ag Days event.
