An unwelcome decision

Opinion by Beth Smillie The federal government’s decision to stop new refugee applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors until January 2026 is another blow to the once vaunted Canadian private sponsorship program. The global refugee crisis has more than doubled in scope over the last decade. As a nation, we should be rising to the challenge, not blocking the few paths available to … Continue reading An unwelcome decision

Family reunited!

Relatives and Nest members welcomed an Eritrean family of four to Saskatoon on November 7, 2024, capping a six-year effort to bring the two sisters and the two children to the city. They were reunited with their brother Zemichael and aunt Saba Andu. Nest originally sponsored Tsega and her two children in 2018. But the application was rejected. Nest tried again in 2020 and added … Continue reading Family reunited!

Your donations at work!

Nest is financially supporting several refugee sponsorships this year. One family fled the violence in Sudan and the other fled the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Your donations are needed and appreciated.

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Reconsideration urged

An Eritrean refugee and her daughter, who have suffered hardship and displacement, have been denied asylum in Canada. Nest is dismayed by the decision and has asked the Visa Officer to reconsider.

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“Humanity must prevail”

Amnesty International is demanding Canada and other countries support the full cessation of violence between Israel and Hamas and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. Amnesty made the call in a petition launched October 26. Sign the petition. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry stated on October 24 that 6,446 Palestinians have been killed and more than 17,000 injured by Israeli airstrikes since the … Continue reading “Humanity must prevail”

The smiling face of. . .

This is the smiling face of Canadian citizenship. More than a dozen refugees sponsored by Nest over the last five years are now Canadian citizens! Saw Eh Klu (pictured here) is the most recent. Nest and the Anglican Diocese sponsored Saw Eh Klu to Saskatoon in November 2018. He is a Karen refugee from Myanmar who lived in a refugee camp in Thailand for more … Continue reading The smiling face of. . .

Open Letter to PM calls for urgent action

The Canadian government needs to take urgent action to help civilians trapped in Sudan after a deadly power struggle erupted in April between the Sudanese army and a rival militia group. That is the key message contained in an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada and opposition leaders. The letter, which was sent today, is organized by Nest Saskatoon and Sudanese Canadians in the … Continue reading Open Letter to PM calls for urgent action

The new kids in town!

It’s likely a good thing Saskatoon’s Catriona Le May Doan has retired, after capturing 25 gold medals in speed skating. There are two new kids in the city, stepping out on the ice and turning heads. Viola and Yola, along with their parents Ruda and Yubis arrived in Saskatoon in late October. The family, Sudanese refugees, have spent the last decade in Israel seeking asylum … Continue reading The new kids in town!