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![\"ZOE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4408909_web1_Clayton-Sandy.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZOE PIERCE \/ FREE PRESS
\nClayton Sandy is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find that a lot of newcomers, they don\u2019t understand our history,\u201d said Sandy, whose home community is Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation. \u201cWhen they come to Canada, all they see is what they see on Main Street or homelessness, and they don\u2019t realize how people got there. So my job has been working on trying to get them to understand our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sandy said he also sees common experiences between Indigenous people and newcomers.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the things we have in common is racism,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen they come here, a lot of them face racism as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Organizers of the Newcomer Fair said the event\u2019s purpose is to ease the transition to Winnipeg, helping people find community, resources and a sense of belonging in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very important for people to feel welcome, socializing, sharing space, sharing food, sharing cultures,\u201d said Reuben Garang, Executive Director of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an intercultural learning opportunity for people in Winnipeg, and everybody is welcome,\u201d Garang said.<\/p>\n Maysoun Darweesh, executive director of the Winnipeg Initiative for Refugees, knows what it is like to settle in a new country.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had an advantage when we came; I spoke English, I\u2019m educated. But many newcomers don\u2019t have this privilege,\u201d Darweesh said at her information booth. \u201cSo our job here is to help, to support, to make it easy for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople 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,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n For Ayodele Abiodun, who moved to Winnipeg from Nigeria in 2021, the fair was a chance to do just that.<\/p>\n It was his first time attending the event, and he came hoping to find employment opportunities.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t While exploring the booths, Abiodun stopped at the Winnipeg Public Library table, where he got a library card \u2014 something he had never had before.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve come to an event like this where I see new immigrants come in,\u201d Abiodun said. \u201cI haven\u2019t been to such an event before, so it\u2019s nice to see everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t Among those taking part in Saturday\u2019s fair was Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, who marked his fifth year at the event by spending the afternoon mingling with attendees.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s such a fun and important festival to make sure all people who come to Winnipeg recently know they belong in Winnipeg,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZOE PIERCE \/ FREE PRESS
\nMaysoun Darweesh is executive director of the Winnipeg Initiative for Refugees.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZOE PIERCE \/ FREE PRESS
\nPeople explore the Fair booths at the Winnipeg Newcomer Fair on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZOE PIERCE \/ FREE PRESS
\nReuben Garang is the executive director of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n