World Refugee Day event held in Saskatoon highlighting “The Power of Welcome” and the strength, resilience and contributions of those forced to flee from their homes

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

“The Power of Welcome” was the theme of a joyful Saskatoon Refugee Coalition walk and program held June 19 in the heart of Saskatoon to mark international World Refugee Day.

Beginning with a gathering at Saskatoon City Hall, advocates, supporters, and newcomers walked together carrying signs and chanting for peace and welcome, arriving at the River Landing amphitheatre for a short program of testimonies, as well as entertainment by a Karen dance group and by “Sounds of Afghanistan.”

The gathering in River Landing also included a marketplace of products and information booths – as well as a table distributing a snack of falafel, hummus and vegetables, with water supplied by Saskatoon Police Service, which also provided escort vehicles for the walk on city streets.

Gathering at the Saskatoon City Hall civic park to begin the World Refugee Day event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Program at River Landing

The Refugee Day program that followed the walk was emceed by Nashwa Kharsa, who fled to Canada from Syria. She also shared her experience as a single parent, struggling to find safety and build a life for herself and her children.

She described how she persevered in meeting her education and employment goals. “No matter what happened, I wanted to achieve success, and I wanted to have a bright future for my kids and myself,” she said, encouraging other single refugee parents not to give up. “You can do it, you can reach your goal, you can be a success, no matter what you have gone through, no matter what happened, just keep it up.”

Nashwa Kharsa was the MC for the program held at River Landing after the World Refugee Day walk from Saskatoon City Hall June 19. ((Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

City councillor Jasmin Parker brought greetings from Saskatoon City Council on behalf of Mayor Cynthia Block. World Refugee Day is a day of global significance, reflection, and solidarity, she noted.

“Each year communities around the world come together to recognize the strength, the courage, and the perseverance of millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or natural disasters,” Parker said. “Today we stand not only to acknowledge their struggles, but to celebrate their resilience and their contributions to the societies in which they now live.”

“We are proud to be a city that welcomes newcomers,” she added. “We are a community built on diversity, strengthened by inclusion, and enriched by the stories, talents, cultures of people from all walks of life…. Refugees are not just survivors of hardship, they are students, workers, entrepreneurs, artists, parents, and our neighbours. They are part of the fabric of our city, and they help shape a more vibrant, compassionate, and connected Saskatoon.”

City Councillor Jasmin Parker brought greetings on behalf of the mayor and city council. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

World Refugee Day is also a call to action, Parker noted. “It is a call for governments, organizations and individuals alike to ensure that those who are displaced are met with dignity, safety, and opportunity. It is a reminder that behind every statistic is a human being, with dreams, with potential, and with the right to live in peace.”

“Let us listen to the voices of refugees. Let us learn from their experiences, honour their journeys, and commit ourselves to building a future where no one is forced to flee their home, and where everyone, regardless of where they come from, can find belonging,” she said.

Parker urged everyone to work to build a community that is a place of hope, healing, and home for all. “To all those who have sought refuge in Saskatoon, we see you, we welcome you, and we are grateful for the strength and spirit that you bring to our community.”

Dancers from the Saskatoon Karen community performed a traditional dance from their home country of Myanmmar (formerly known as Burma), signifying peace and unity. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Saskatoon businessman Robel Firay, who came to Canada from Sudan via Eritrea 15 years ago, also spoke during the program, describing his journey and his gratitude at finding a peaceful country.

Upon arriving in Canada without anything, he began the challenging work of establishing himself and sponsoring his wife, who had been left behind, to join him. Thanks to the welcome and help of refugee sponsorship in Canada, together he and his wife have worked to establish their lives, and run their own business in Saskatoon. He has also sponsored other family members and helped to support others who have come to Canada.

Robel Firay came to Canada from Sudan, via Eritrea, assisting others to also come to a land of peace and safety. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

“Even Jesus was a refugee,” Firay said, urging other newcomers not to give up. “I am very grateful to be in Saskatoon… which provides good opportunity to live, to work, to study.”

“Sounds of Afghanistan” presented a dance during the World Refugee Day program in Saskatoon June 19. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Saeed Darras, a National Agronomy Manager for the Canadian-owned company Agra-City, spoke about the experience of his family, and of his parents, Palestinian refugees who were displaced in 1948, and who never stopped longing to return home.

“Today we unite to honour the courage and strength of millions of refugees around the world who have had to abandon their homes and countries not by choice, but by war, persecution, and injustice,” he said.

“As the son of refugees, this day touches me personally,” Darras said. “My parents, like so many others, did not just bring or carry the pain of being displaced. They also carried with them the hope and the belief that one day they would be able to return home in safety and dignity, and would be able to live freely,

Refugees are not just numbers in the headlines, he stressed. “They are families ripped out from their roots, and yet plant seeds of hope on the earth, in the path of culture to culture. They are people who give back to their communities, in spite of barriers put their way.”

Saeed Darras spoke about his experience as the child of refugees who fled from Palestine in 1948. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

He added: “In recognizing their struggle, the world needs to do more than offering its sympathies. The world must work to dismantle the system that makes people flee. It is the duty of all of us to support policies that protect the right of refugees and to advocate for their ability to rebuild their lives with dignity.”

“To every refugee, now and then: your spirit and your strength endures. Each breath you take is an act of resistance against oppression. And to those who are standing in solidarity, let us pledge to help bring a day when no one has to seek refuge, when every person has a home where they belong or where they desire to live.”

World Refugee Day is held each year on June 20, declared by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) to honour the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecutions. The UNHCR notes: “Every refugee carries a story of pain, loss, and strength. They are not defined by what they have lost, but by how they rebuild with courage. Refugees strive for self-reliance, connection, and the opportunity to support their families. By building inclusive and welcoming communities where everyone feels they belong, we create space for all to contribute and help communities flourish.” Learn more at www.unhcr.org/events/world-refugee-day-2025.
Refugee Sponsorship – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon is a federally-approved Sponsorship Agreement Holder, with the diocesan Office of Migration administering private refugee sponsorship by parishes each year. For more information about assisting with refugee sponsorship, contact the Office of Migration at: migration@rcdos.ca.

Photos:

Lining up for the “Power of Welcome” event organized by the Saskatoon Refugee Coalition June. 19. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

One of the volunteers assisting with the World Refugee Day event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Representatives of the Saskatoon Open Door Society participated in the World Refugee Day event June 19. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Gathering for the program at River Landing to mark World Refugee Day June 19 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Waiting after the walk for the program at River Landing. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Those attending the World Refugee Event in Saskatoon enjoyed some free food, along with entertainment, speakers, and a marketplace. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Amnesty International was one of the organizations with an information display at the World Refugee Event in Saskatoon, including information about the negative impact that would be caused by the federal governments proposed Bill C-2. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A marketplace was part of the program at River Landing organized by the Saskatoon Refugee Coalition. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Karen dancers performed at the World Refugee Day event in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Performers from “Sounds of Afghanistan” at the World Refugee Day event in Saskatoon June 19. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Sounds of Afghanistan performed at the June 19 event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

A marketplace was part of the event on World Refugee Day. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca

The Office of Migration, Communications, and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa