About this ebook
In Geographies of the Heart, eighteen newcomers to Canada tell their own stories, in their own voices. These accounts push back against misconceptions about immigration and immigrants by revealing that the paths into Canada are as diverse as the people who journeyed them.
Canada itself plays a pivotal role in the collection, both as saviour and oppressor. The nation is a haven and place of opportunity, but it is also not entirely benevolent and welcoming.
As increasing migration is met with growing xenophobia, the stories in Geographies of the Heart are reminders of our shared humanity.
All royalties from sales of this book will be donated to Archway Community Services.
About the author
Raymonde Tickner recently retired from teaching English language studies at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). She has also taught in UFV’s TESL teacher training program and is an Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) facilitator. Raymonde has taught internationally in China and in India, and worked with Somalian refugees in Dubai during the first Persian Gulf War. She has also worked with refugees and immigrants in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program in Surrey, British Columbia. She lives in Abbotsford.
Amea Wilbur is an assistant professor at UFV. She led Vancouver Coastal Health’s Access Community through English program, which helped people with chronic mental health issues learn English. She also developed a trauma-informed English as an Additional Language program at the Pacific Immigrant Resources Society that received national recognition. Amea is the co-author of The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners. She lives in Vancouver.
Zahida Rahemtulla is a playwright and short story writer. She has worked in the immigrant and refugee non-profit sector for several years. Her father came as a refugee to Canada from Uganda, and her mother as an immigrant from Tanzania. Her stories have been shortlisted for the Alice Munro Award and longlisted for the CBC short story prize. She lives in Vancouver.
Kerry Johnson was an associate professor at UFV and now teaches professional English language development at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She has also taught in UFV’s TESL teacher-training program and Vancouver Community College’s TESOL Certificate and Diploma program, and has developed classroom programs for students and produced workshops for instructors that provide practical strategies for teaching multilingual learners. She lives in Vancouver.
