A Pencil sketch of Pier 21 by Margaret Van Gurp, a pier 21 volunteer.
Foreword by Ruth M. Goldbloom, O.C.
Pier 21, the last remaining immigration shed in Canada was a derelict building on the Halifax
waterfront. The founding president of the Pier 21 Society, the late John P. LeBlanc, recognized
the importance of Pier 21 to the history of Canada and a group of eight volunteers raised $9
million to rehabilitate the building so that future generations would know about the years of
1924 –1971.
We are now a National Historic Site and turned three years old on Canada Day, July 1st, 2002.
Each visit to Pier 21 is filled with many emotions, many tears and much information of why
Canada is such a great country.
Volunteers played a major role during the years of 1928-1971 and now, volunteers continue to
welcome thousands of visitors annually who visit the Gateway to Canada, Pier 21.
Ruth M. Goldbloom, O.C.
This project was made possible through the generous support of the Historica Foundation.
1
This book is dedicated to the memory of J.P.
LeBlanc, Pier 21 Society’s founding president, and
to all of the Pier 21 volunteers who so generously
donated their time and efforts to the success of Pier
21, past and present. Their legacy will not be
forgotten.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the following groups
and individuals for their assistance with this project:
Joanna Andow - Sisters of Charity Archives
Major Ira Barrow - The Salvation Army
Peter W. Black
Jean Bruce - Canadian Museum of Civilization
Sister Patricia Burke & Sister Salvatrice Liota - Sisters of Service
Amanda S. Cleary
Father Joseph Christensen - St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Judith Colwell - United Church of Canada Archives
Brian Cuthbertson - Anglican Diocese of Halifax
Marianne Ferguson - Pier 21 Volunteer / JIAS
Gavin Giles & Robert Harvey - Charitable Irish Society
Ruth M. Goldbloom, O.C. - Past President Pier 21 Society
Florence Griffin - Former Pier 21 Volunteer
Barbara Held - Jewish Immigrant Aid Society
2
Pat Hill - Multiculturalism and Aboriginal Peoples’ Program
Donald MacLean & William McCurdy - North British Society
Wayne McCarther - Canadian Bible Society
Susan Murdock - Multiculturalism and Aboriginal Peoples’ Program
Marguerite Peters - Catholic Women’s League
Janice Rosen - Canadian Jewish Congress Archives
Dr. Della Stanley - Mount Saint Vincent University
John Stone - Armbrae Academy
Patricia Townsend - Baptist Federation of Canada Archives
Mary Tulle - General Manager, Pier 21 Society
Diane and Peter Van der Horden - The Salvation Army
The Family of the late Adelaide Waghorne
Mario and Linda Zambolin
The Staff of the Public Archives of Nova Scotia
The Salvation Army Heritage Centre
Volunteer Canada
The History of Pier 21
Pier 21 officially opened its doors on
March 8, 1928 and remained in operation until March 28, 1971. During this period, Pier 21 welcomed
almost one million immigrants, including many of the 100,000 home
children who came to Canada,
48,000 war brides and their 22,000
children, 3,000 British evacuee children sent to Canada, and 100,000
refugees. Pier 21 was also the departure point for 494,000 Canadian
servicemen and women heading to
Europe during the Second World
War.
Pier 21 was extremely busy during
1928 and 1929, however, with the
stock market crash of 1929 and the
Depression that followed, the number
of immigrants coming to Canada
dropped considerably. Between 1930
and 1939, immigration to Canada
never exceeded 15,000 a year.
During the Second World War, Pier
21 was operated by the Department
of National Defence and boomed
with wartime activity. After the war
ended, an influx of war brides disembarked at Pier 21. Displaced people did not begin arriving in Canada
until 1947 when large numbers began to be processed at Pier 21.
The Reopening of Pier 21 as a
National Historic Site
In 1988, the Pier 21 Society was formed by a group of Haligonians
interested in preserving a piece of Canadian history. John P. LeBlanc was
the first president of the Society. A career public servant within the
Department of Employment and Immigration, he helped renew interest in
this former immigration shed and created its first Board of Directors.
Courtesy of The United Church of Canada/Victoria
University Archives. 86.229 P/2 (C-21)
The late 1940’s and early 1950’s
were the busiest years in the history
of Pier 21. By the late 1950’s and
1960’s more and more immigrants
were choosing to fly to Canada rather
than cross the North Atlantic by ship.
Canadian immigration officers were
splitting their time between meeting
ships at Pier 21 and meeting planes
at the airport.
It was decided that the number of
immigrants arriving by sea was not
large enough to justify the facility and
on March 28, 1971, almost 43 years
later, Pier 21 closed.
The Pier 21 story could have very
easily ended there, but thanks to J.P.
LeBlanc, Ruth Goldbloom and many
other dedicated volunteers,the stories
of Pier 21 can now be shared with
new generations.
Ruth M. Goldbloom became the second president of the Society in 1993.
A feasibility study was prepared, and then a business plan, resulting in
the Society receiving news that would transform the dream of a reopened
Pier 21 into a reality.
On the last day of the Halifax G-7 Summit in 1995, Prime Minister Jean
Chretien announced that the legacy of the host city would be a 4.5-million
dollar pledge toward the reopening of Pier 21 as a national historic site.
This gift came with a challenge that the Society would need to raise an
additional 4.5 million dollars. The Society, led by Ruth Goldbloom, began telling the story of Pier 21 and its significance to Canada in boardrooms and homes across the country. In May 1997, the Society launched
a national fundraising campaign when over one-million dollars worth of
commitments were announced. The private sector continued to respond
and, thanks to gifts of all sizes from every corner of the country, the Pier
21 Society successfully raised the funds required to undertake the renovations. In November 1998 work on the site began. Pier 21 reopened its
doors to the public on July 1, 1999.
Today, the Executive and Board of the Society
continue to be responsible for the operation of
the site, and the ultimate success of Pier 21 continues to depend on the involvement of volunteers
at all levels.
3
The Pier 21 Resource Centre
The Pier 21 Resource Centre tells the stories of immigrants
and veterans through artifacts, images, oral histories and
personal arrival accounts. The Resource Centre conducts
research and strives to emphasize the importance of immigration in Canadian history to both staff and visitors.
One of the most important projects at Pier 21 is collecting
the personal recollections of immigrants, war brides, servicemen and women, British guest children, home children,
and others.
The Centre Offers:
Visitors with a story to tell have the opportunity to participate in oral history interviews or write their memories in the
form of a story.
Do you have a relative who came through Pier 21? Would
they like to tell their story? If your family does have a connection with Pier 21 the Resource Centre would love to hear
about it.
• A unique collection of images from sources such as the National Archives of Canada, Sisters of Service,
Canadian National Railway, Halifax Port Corporation and the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. The collection also includes newspaper photographs, the “Day in the Life of Pier 21” series donated by Ken Elliot,
the Allan S. Tanner Collection of images depicting Canadian troops returning to the Pier in 1945, and the
Francis E. Murphy Collection which documents the building of the Halifax South End piers;
• Photographs of most of the ships that brought immigrants to Halifax from 1928 to 1971;
• A donated collection of personal accounts from individuals with a connection to Pier 21;
• Books relating to Canadian immigration, the Canadian military in WWII, and multiculturalism;
• CBC videotaped immigrant interviews from 1998, news coverage of the Pier 21 project, documentaries and
films on topics related to Canadian immigration; and
• The arrival information for those entering Canada between 1925 and 1935.
4
Volunteering in Canada
In 1997, 7.5 million Canadians reported that they were contributing to their communities through volunteer
work. Statistics Canada reports that, “organized volunteer work in Canada totals 11.1 billion hours, a number
equivalent to 578,000 full time jobs, which is approximately the same total as the labour force of Manitoba.”
According to the 2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, published by Statistics
Canada, volunteers aged 15 and over were the only group to see an increase in participation as opposed to the
1997 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participation.
Volunteering is not a new activity. Long before the Confederation of Canada in 1867, volunteer organizations
were emerging in urban areas. Volunteers coordinated efforts to assist the sick, poor, hungry and homeless in
many urban areas. Their work consisted of increasing public awareness and education about the issues, gathering donations and fundraising to support research efforts. In addition to providing financial support, the volunteers offered invaluable emotional support.
In the early part of the 20th Century disease was rampant in many areas of the world. People were faced with
plagues, tuberculosis, cholera, small pox and flu epidemics that threatened the lives of many. Organizations and
private volunteers alike helped with disease epidemics by providing nursing services and health care support for
quarantined persons, as well as support for the families involved. After the stock market crash of 1929 and the
Depression that followed, volunteers were present to provide food, clothing and shelter for the many who were
left without these necessities. During the Second World War volunteers were active in overseas relief and also in
providing aid on the home front.
Today, volunteers are active in local and national charities and in various aspects of community life, especially the health and social service sectors of
society. They can also be found assisting developing countries and donating their time to relief and refugee agencies.
Many people in Canada enjoy the great satisfaction that comes with volunteer work. Volunteering is a chance to help out in one’s community, to help those
less fortunate than oneself or those who need assistance and it keeps one active. Research shows that some Canadians are quite active in their communities
and devote a considerable amount of time to helping others. Unfortunately, the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute reports that, in comparison
to other activities, Canadians spend an average of 2.2 hours watching television and only 0.4 hours volunteering in their communities with only 18% of the
Canadian population out there actively volunteering.
5
The Pier 21 Volunteers
In the past, Pier 21 depended heavily on its volunteers as there was an overwhelming need for assistance
with ships arriving daily with hundreds of immigrants. Many of the volunteers performed duties such as
changing diapers, helping to feed and clothe babies, finding the tired parents something to eat or providing a rest area for the travelers and the sick. Volunteers also served as translators for the immigrants so
they could better understand the process of immigration and communicate with officials.
Imagine arriving in a new country after a long, gruelling voyage by ship. You step off the gangplank and
into a huge room full of unfamiliar faces and apparent chaos. You have one suitcase with all of your
worldly possessions and you do not speak English. Where do you go? How do you find your luggage?
What is your next step in the immigration process? That is how the Pier 21 volunteers helped. Volunteers
welcomed newcomers, helped find luggage, directed them to Customs and provided families traveling with children a rest area. There were translators on
hand to help with the language barrier and there was always a smiling face to make the transition seem less overwhelming.
Hundreds of volunteers were on hand for the arrivals of the ships. They worked long hours, with many rarely going home to their families during the busy
periods. Organizations like the Sisters of Service and the Canadian Red Cross Society had permanent areas set up within the immigration shed. Red Cross
workers manned a nursery where volunteers helped with children and gave tired mothers a much-needed break. Workers offered a place to freshen up and
something to eat. Many of the passengers were quite seasick from the often rough trans-Atlantic crossing and the volunteers were on hand to help them feel
better. Sometimes all it took was an orange to ease the discomfort. The work of the Sisters of Service was pivotal to the success of Pier 21. Many of the
sisters, were trained in various languages and assisted with paperwork, directed passengers and escorted people to their trains. Without these caring
translators, the Immigration and Customs process would have been a much longer and more frustrating ordeal.
The Canadian Red Cross Society and the Sisters of Service are only two of the volunteer organizations that contributed to the success of Pier 21. There are
many more. Maybe you have heard of some of them or maybe you know someone who is involved in one of them. Some may be new to you. Nevertheless,
they were all extremely important not only to Pier 21, but also to the overall development of Canada.
Many of the people who came through Pier 21 look back upon their experiences as being positive and they fondly remember the volunteers who aided them
along their way. Some have even kept in touch with the volunteers they met. You will read quotes from people who came through Pier 21 during its years
of operation as they remember the work of the volunteers.
Can you imagine being one of the people volunteering at Pier 21 as the newcomers to Canada were arriving, when the home children disembarked or when
the war brides came to start their new lives with their Canadian husbands? Imagine being the first friendly face someone sees as they step off the ship into
a strange building and an equally strange land. Picture yourself being remembered as that person’s first experience with a Canadian. Sounds pretty amazing
doesn’t it? Quite often volunteers do not realize the extent of the contribution that they are making to society, however, the people they are helping certainly
do. As you read the stories of the volunteers of Pier 21 try to imagine yourself in their shoes. Try to visualize yourself as a newcomer to Canada and the great
relief you would feel once you were in the hands of one of these compassionate people.
6
The Sisters of Charity
The Sisters of Charity spent considerable amounts of time welcoming newcomers at Pier 21. Often the Sisters would bring families in need of a place
to stay back to their residence at the Motherhouse in Halifax, where they
would provide food, lodging and comfort. Prior to Pier 21’s opening, the
Sisters were also quite active at Pier 2, Halifax’s earlier immigration shed.
They were regularly on hand to meet trains and steamships and escorted
immigrant girls back to Saint Theresa’s Retreat.
Saint Theresa’s Retreat was primarily a home for office girls working in the
city; however, numerous young immigrant women spent their first few days
in Canada at the home on Barrington Street. Monsignor Foley, rector of the
Children of Mary Cathedral had the following to say about Saint Theresa’s
Retreat: “This is a home founded on kindness, gentleness and tact, the things
that count most in human life.”
Newcomers to Canada may recall being welcomed by one of the Sisters of
Charity matrons or representatives. Due to a fire in 1951 that destroyed the
Motherhouse and all of its documents and artifacts there is very little archived material about the work of the Sisters of Charity at Pier 21. Nevertheless, their presence at the Pier was significant and their contributions
were of great value.
Pier 2, Halifax’s
previous
immigration
shed, was
largely destroyed
by the Halifax
explosion on
Dec. 6, 1917.
The Catholic Women’s
League (CWL)
The Catholic Women’s League in Halifax, Nova Scotia was established on November 25, 1919 and was active in the
immigration process at Pier 21.
At least 2,900 Catholic magazines and
newspapers were distributed at the Pier
along with carefully made ditty bags, that
held such things as soap, razor blades,
toothbrushes and laundry detergent to aid
the newcomers. In the span of one year
alone, the Catholic Women’s League was
on hand to meet 141 ships; of the 7,553 im- Sister Salvatrice Liota, a Sisters
migrants on these ships, 2,405 were Catho- of Service volunteer, and CWL
volunteer Marguerite Peters.
lic.
In 1924, the CWL requested that the Sisters of Service be established in
Halifax. The CWL worked closely with the Sisters of Service and was the
financial supporter of most of the Sisters of Service endeavours. For example, when the Sisters of Service were traveling by van to assist newcomers in
the western provinces, the CWL of eastern Canada was the main financial
supporter.
The CWL also formed a traveler’s aid system, which would assist families
with transportation and also allow for them to be met at the station or the
pier at the end of their journey.
At the end of the Second World War, the CWL joined forces with the Sisters
of Service and was on hand to greet the many returning servicemen and
women, and war brides.
7
The Sisters of Service
“I have come to serve.” Those five simple words
held true for the Sisters of Service as they were
always present whenever the ships arrived at Pier
21.
Anyone who came in contact with one of the Sisters
of Service will long remember their kindness. The
Roman Catholic Sisters of Service provided
essential services to newcomers and are best known
for their fluency in many different languages.
Many of the Sisters were multilingual, thereby
enabling them to greet immigrants in their own
language. For example, Sister Florence Kelly was
referred to as “the German Sister” and Sister
Salvatrice Liota was referred to as “the Italian
Sister.”
The Sisters of Service were often called the “Grey
Nuns” but should not be confused with the
religious order of the same name. They were given
this “nickname” because of their attire, which
consisted of a grey cotton dress with a white collar
and grey and white headdress. The finishing touch
consisted of a silver cross engraved with the words
8
Often the Sisters of Service took on the responsibility of calling many of the volunteer organizations and alerting them when a ship was due in at
a certain time. They produced ditty bags and provided essential interpretive services, such as making phone calls or writing letters on an immigrant’s
behalf, translating documents, explaining Customs
proceedings, answering questions about Canada
and giving directions. The Sisters would guide the
immigrants to their trains, care for the sick, interpret at hospitals and clinics, arrange further transportation if needed and assist with their quest to
become Canadians by helping with Citizenship
applications.
Who was this woman? Was she a Canadian nun?
A Roman Catholic nun? ‘Let me take the little
ones to the nursery while you go to the waiting
room and have something to eat!’ She was moving
along with the children and some luggage while I
followed with the rest of the bags, still wondering
what to do. Much as I appreciated her help, I had
to be honest and tell her the truth about us. ‘We
are Protestants,’ I whispered. She laughed. ‘You
are people who need a hand, aren’t you?’ A
Catholic nun looking after the children of
Protestant immigrants – it was beyond anything
ever encountered in my native Germany. Was this
CANADIAN?”
In all their years at Pier 21, the Sisters of Service
never missed a ship’s arrival.
The work of the Sisters of Service was not finished once the immigrants left Pier 21. Often the
Sisters would remain in contact with the families
living in the area and provide additional assistance to them.
The Sisters of Service did not limit their assistance to those of the Catholic faith. Inge Vermeulen
recalls her experience with the Sisters of Service
at Pier 21:
“It was the kindness in her voice that made me
notice her above the noise in the station. ‘You look
so tired’ she said. ‘Would you like some help?’
Sister Liota helping immigrants at Pier 21.
The Canadian Red Cross
Society
The Canadian Red
Cross Society had a
strong presence at
Pier 21. It maintained a nursery adjacent to the Social
Service room, where
the majority of the
volunteer organizations operated.
Many newcomers to
Canada can recall
the kindness and
caring of the Red
Cross volunteers. In their grey uniforms, they would seek out the tired and
the weary and invite them into the nursery for some much needed rest and
relaxation.
The nursery had cribs for babies to nap in, cots for mothers to rest on, small
tables for children to colour on, plenty of coffeepots and even bathtubs for
clean up. While the parents rested, one of the many Red Cross volunteers
would wash, change or feed the children and either settle them in for a nap or
keep them amused until it was time for their train to depart. Often the other
organizations would direct immigrants to the Red Cross nursery, which quickly became a haven to those wishing a break from the long journey.
The nursery was staffed by up to 20 volunteers at a time who operated it
around the clock. Red Cross workers, like the many other volunteers of Pier
21, did not limit themselves to only nursery duties as they also dealt with lost
baggage, fielding questions about Canada and its customs and explaining
immigration forms and proceedings.
The Young Women’s
Christian Association
(YWCA)
Halifax’s YWCA has a history of social action that began long before the
doors of Pier 21 opened. The women of the Christian churches saw that
there were women being mistreated and in response formed an organization
that would stand up for them. They formed the Young Women’s Christian
Association and made plans to help women in any way they could.
In 1875, they established The Halifax Home of Delinquent Girls, which
helped girls through training and education. The YWCA-run Halifax Night
School was operating by 1877.
The Association was well established when it came time to join the war
effort. With a gun installation on its roof, Halifax’s YWCA was an easy to
spot beacon for service personnel during World War II. In fact, the organization’s history reports that 450,000 military personnel were housed, entertained or helped by the YWCA in Halifax between 1939 and 1945.
After the war, the Traveler’s Aid branch of the YWCA was there to meet
war brides and immigrants at Pier 21.
YWCA conductresses
accompanied new arrivals on the trains to
their assorted destinations, offering invaluable companionship and
advice. Many a woman traveling alone was
comforted and protected by a member of the
YWCA.
9
The Church
of England
in Canada
Members of the Church of England
were at Pier 21 to greet and assist
the Anglican newcomers. Deacon
Williams, the Anglican port chaplain
offered assistance and guidance to all
newcomers to Canada.
The Church of England distributed
ditty bags to immigrants and was
often an Anglican immigrant’s first
contact with his or her religion in
Canada.
The Church of England was also responsible for establishing the Mission to Seafarers in Halifax, which
provided assistance to merchant seamen coming into port.
To this day the Mission to Seafarers
provides a chapel, telephones, coffee, transportation, activities and free
reading materials. Similar to the
Church of England’s services for
immigrants, the Mission to Seafarers was a welcome open door to many
sailors and crewmembers.
10
The United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada had
an important presence at Pier 21.
Church members were often on hand
to greet immigrants and offer assistance. It assigned ministers to welcome newcomers and produced hundreds of ditty bags for the next part
of the newcomers long journey.
that it would be found. Our port staff
worked closely together distributing
ditty bags, small bags prepared by
congregations containing travel necessities such as toiletries, sweets and
toys for the children. We looked after babies, interpreted when we could
and spent much time talking, welcoming and reassuring worried immigrants.”
Hanns F. Skoutajan, a port worker
from the United Church of Canada,
and a former refugee from Czechoslovakia, recalls his experience at
Pier 21. He writes:
“I was ten years old when we landed
at Pier 21 and had no idea that 20
years later I would return to this very
building. This time I would not be
welcomed but welcoming new arrivals. In the fall of 1957, after completing my studies for the ministry I
was assigned by the United Church
of Canada to work with representatives of other churches in welcoming
and helping immigrants. It was not
unfamiliar work, during my summer
holidays I had worked in the same
capacity on the St. Lawrence River
at the ports of Quebec and Montreal.
Indeed one of the first ships I met in
Quebec was the Samaria who had
brought me to Halifax. It was like
Courtesy of The United Church of Canada/
Victoria University Archives, Toronto. 93-049P/
4143N.
A United Church of Canada Port
Chaplain greets immigrants as they
disembark at Halifax ca. 1930.
meeting an old friend. Along with
Eileen Raatz, a worker for the Women’s Missionary Society of the United
Church, Presbyterian, Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic workers,
as well as the IODE, I helped arrivals with a great variety of needs. Yes,
you guessed it; I helped locate lost
baggage and from firsthand experience reassured the grieving owners
Reverend J.P.C. Fraser, a representative of the United Church of Canada,
held the position of Port Chaplain for
approximately 10 years. While serving at Pier 21, Rev. Fraser went out
of his way to make newcomers feel
welcome. His wife, Anna Fraser, often accompanied him and she recalls,
“There were many mornings we arrived home as the sun was rising.”
Many would remember the kind
words or financial assistance that the
Frasers offered to newcomers. The
United Church allowed Rev. Fraser
a fund from which he could purchase
train tickets for people or help with
the fares. Regardless of religious denomination, Reverend Fraser would
help anyone who needed it and the
money borrowed by immigrants was
almost always returned to him.
The Baptist
Federation
of Canada
The Baptist Federation of Canada
was formed in 1948 as a national
organization.
Nova Scotia was represented by the
United Baptist Conference of the
Maritime Provinces.
The Federation sent members to Pier
21 on an official level to act as port
workers. Members of the Federation
also arrived at Pier 21 in an unofficial capacity to assist newcomers.
They provided religious literature
and offered guidance to new Canadians.
At age 70, Adelaide Waghorne became a port worker at Pier 21 for the
Baptist Federation of Canada. Although she could not speak all the
languages of the incoming immigrants, she made the newcomers feel
welcome and spent a great deal of
time walking miles through long
sheds to help find their baggage. She
even wrote letters of introduction to
the minister of the town to which the
immigrants were going.
The Diary of a Port Worker 1952-1953
and inspect their health certificates. They end up in another long hall where other
customs officers inspect their
passports, etc. Then, as they
are passed and O.K.’d, they
may pass into the tunnel
where there are both men
and women customs officers
and turn out their purses
and baskets.
In her diary, Adelaide Waghorne, a
port worker for the Baptist Federation of Canada, explains the immigration process as seen from a volunteer’s perspective. She writes:
“Perhaps you would like to
know the procedure of an
immigrant’s landing. No one
can be sure of a definite time
for boats coming in. So often
fog slows it up. But if you
get there in time you can run
up the tunnel and in through
the big receiving hall (behind
bars) out to the upper dock
and watch the ship tugged in
by those fussy little boats
and gradually steered up till
it lies alongside. Then a runway is pushed aboard the upper deck and down to a lower
one.
Adelaide Waghorne, a port worker at
Pier 21 for the Baptist Federation of
Canada.
are leaving the decks until
you see nothing but people,
but no one may come off un“Customs officers stand til all luggage is in place in
guard on the upper one and the shed. Then the people file
the luggage from cabins and off into the upper.
hold is rolled along the lower
one into the freight shed “As if for a concert, one by
where it is sorted and each one they file through a narpiece placed alphabetically. row passage where a doctor
Meanwhile the passengers and nurse scan them closely
“Quite often there are smuggled goods in these they hope
to get through. They finally
get down to their suitcases
and boxes, and one by one
these are opened up for the
customs officers. When they
are passed and a mark is
chalked on the suitcases,
they are free to go into the
big adjoining hall, where
they may get tickets for
trains already awaiting them
outside the shed.
“There is a canteen and a
restaurant, Red Cross room
and our Social Service Centre right at hand and we are
soon busy.”
11
The Canadian
Bible Society
The Imperial Order of the Daughters
of the Empire (IODE)
The main purpose of the Canadian Bible Society
was to distribute religious literature. It was often
present at Pier 21 for ship arrivals and also at
citizenship ceremonies in the city.
The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire was founded in 1900 and was nationwide by 1901.
The IODE’s mission was to retain the British character of Canada. It strove to help new immigrants
assimilate in their new country and published literature that would assist them in their transformation
into new Canadians.
During the years of Pier 21’s operation, the Canadian Bible Society distributed over 300,000 scriptures in over 70 languages. In 1962 alone, some
22,500 Bibles and Testaments were presented to
new Canadian citizens at citizenship courts.
The IODE arranged for personal property bags containing stuffed toys, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes for women and children to be delivered by port workers.
The Canadian Bible Society worked extremely
hard to make newcomers feel welcome and even
distributed materials in Braille.
The Canadian Bible Society is still present in the
lives of many new Canadians today, and can be
found at citizenship ceremonies across Canada.
One newcomer to Canada recalls his experience
with volunteers distributing Bibles and scriptures:
“We marched down a long passage and filed past
a number of people who thrust literature into our
already full hands. They turned out to be Bible
tracts to bring us comfort and solace as we undertook the next part of the journey. Did they know
something we didn’t?”
12
The IODE members sent Christmas cards and held Christmas parties for new Canadians, sent out
immigration certificates and naturalization cards and provided literature about Canada to immigrants
and refugees. For example, the IODE published a small 17-page book titled Canadian History for New
Canadians, which was printed in five languages.
The IODE was present at citizenship ceremonies and handed out maple leaf pins and cards printed with
“God Save The Queen” on them. One chapter of the IODE even took up a collection and bought a
portable television set for a recent immigrant who was seriously ill.
Local Clergy
Many volunteers representing the various religious institutions
around the City of Halifax made their way down to Pier 21 to
assist the new arrivals. Members of the United, Anglican,
Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Mennonite and Lutheran Churches
were present at Pier 21. Whether they were sent by their
Churches or came to Pier 21 on a private basis, their work was
of great assistance to the existing volunteer organizations
at the port and was a significant contribution to The success
of Pier 21.
The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society (JIAS)
The Jewish Immigrant Aid Society was of vital assistance to the many Jewish immigrants that came to Canada. Representatives were on hand at Pier
21 to assist newcomers and welcome them to Canada. Sadie Fineberg, a
well-known Halifax philanthropist and an immigrant herself, felt it important to help those arriving in Canada for the first time. Sadie spoke seven
languages and was often able to greet newcomers in their own tongue.
Sadie’s work was so well recognized that in 1948 the Mayor of Halifax,
John E. Ahern, commissioned her to represent the City of Halifax at Pier 21
as a counsellor and greeter. Sadie’s husband Morris owned and operated a
food service business and it was not uncommon to see Sadie armed with
boxes of food to distribute free of
charge to immigrants at the Pier.
Marianne Ferguson (nee Echt) came
through Pier 21 from Danzig in 1939
and Sadie Fineberg was there to welcome her and her family. Marianne and
her mother Meta Echt later became volunteers with the JIAS at Pier 21.
“I really did enjoy looking after these
poor, unfortunate people who had gone
through so much during the war in Europe,” Marianne recalls.
Marianne Ferguson (nee Echt) and
her sister in Danzig prior to
emigrating to Canada.
“Many had been in concentration
camps and were frightened and shy and
when we called out their names they
were worried that perhaps someone had
come to arrest them or send them back.
They all had their concentration camp
numbers tattooed on their arms. However, since we could speak their lan-
Exerpt from article on the work of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Society at Pier 21.
guage, they soon became calm and we helped them get through customs and
immigration proceedings. Often a sponsor had sent money for them, which
had been entrusted to us. Some had no money and we were able to help them
out on behalf of the JIAS.”
Marianne’s duties with the JIAS involved helping the immigrants claim their
baggage and settling them on the waiting trains that would take them to their
destinations.
Marianne recalls, “Often people had small children and we would take them
to the Red Cross section where they were given milk and cookies and even
have a sleep in one of their cribs. We would also notify any sponsors of the
time they would be arriving at their destination so that they could meet them
at the train station. Those who were not sponsored, were met by another
JIAS worker wherever they were going.”
13
The Charitable Irish Society
The Charitable Irish Society’s role was similar to that of the North British
Society. The Charitable Irish Society was formed in Halifax in 1786 and
is still active today.
This non-profit society acted as a liaison for Irish people living in Canada.
Its work stretched into much of the larger community. It offered scholarships and provided financial assistance and grants to people and organizations for educational purposes.
The Charitable Irish Society’s role at Pier 21 was to assist the Irish immigrants coming to Canada.
A newcomer is interviewed by Canadian Immigration Officials at Pier 21.
The North British Society
The North British Society was a benevolent organization formed to assist
Scots in Canada. Its role at Pier 21 consisted of meeting Scottish immigrants and offering them directions, guidance and financial assistance.
The North British Society provided the funds for passage to their final destinations when the immigrants did not have enough money on hand. The
society also assisted the Scottish immigrants that were detained by Customs
and Immigration by writing letters, sending telegrams and making phone
calls to people that could assist in their cause.
In many cases the North British Society’s efforts were successful and the
detained immigrants were eventually allowed into Canada.
14
Like the North British Society, the Charitable Irish Society would provide
financial assistance, directions and guidance. It also corresponded with
officials when an Irish immigrant was detained.
On a few occasions the Society even paid the money to buy passage back
to Ireland when extenuating circumstances arose.
Other organizations that were present to lend
a helping hand at Pier 21 were the
International Refugee Organization, the
Knights of Columbus, the Saint George’s
Society, the Canadian Mennonite Board of
Colonization, the Canadian Girls in Training,
the Junior League of Halifax, the Canadian
Council of Immigrant Women and the Kiwanis
Club. Although less is known about their roles
at Pier 21 it can safely be said that their
contribution was appreciated.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was one of the numerous organizations that left their mark at Pier
21. Pier 21’s story collection is full of the
memories of war brides, immigrants and veterans, many of whom remember the kindness
that was extended to them by a Salvation
Army volunteer.
Many who came through Pier 21 recall being
greeted by The Salvation Army Band. “My
one great memory of Pier 21 was the warm
greeting we got as the band played at dockside
‘Here Comes the Bride’,” says Ella Hardy,
one of the many war brides. She remembers The Salvation Army Band in 1935.
the caring of the Red Cross and The Salvation Army and explains the experience as being “welcome
and comforting.”
Marjorie Jaggers recalls her experience with The Salvation Army as being something she will always
remember. “The Salvation Army greeted us on Pier 21 and gave us oranges, apples and bananas,”
Marjorie writes. “My daughter Diana (18 months old and born in an air raid) was given a lovely
crochet dress. I was given Blue Ribbon tea, a cookbook and a Magic Baking Powder cookbook which
I still use.”
Many organizations were present at Pier 21 from 1928 to 1971;
however, not all appear in our records. If you know of a
volunteer organization that played a role in Pier 21’s immigration process and has been omitted from this publication, please
forward any information or records to the Pier 21 Society
Resource Centre at:
The Current Pier
21 Volunteers
Pier 21 National Historic Site continues to depend
heavily on volunteers, to the extent that they currently make up a large number of the staff. From
giving tours to visitors, to helping with the
museum’s annual Canada Day celebration and
other public events, Pier 21 volunteers are invaluable in every aspect of operating the National Historic Site.
Volunteers generously donate their time to the
Rudolph Bratty Exhibition Hall, Resource Centre
and Gift Shop. They serve on committees and as
Board members.
Many of the current volunteers have a historic or
familial connection to the immigration shed, which
makes their time spent at the pier additionally
meaningful. Each brings unique skills and experiences that enhance the visitor experience.
Like their predecessors who welcomed immigrants,
soldiers, war brides, evacuee children, and home
children, the current volunteers make a lasting
impression on visitors.
1055 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4P6
Tel:
902-425-7770 Fax: 902-423-4045
email: [email protected]
15
Mario and Linda Zambolin: A Volunteer Love Story
Mario Zambolin was born in Italy in 1943 and emigrated to
Canada in 1957, arriving at Pier 21 aboard the Saturnia at
the age of 14. He learned of the work of the Sisters of Service through his mother who was involved with the Sisters.
He heard that the sisters required assistance and decided
to offer his services during evenings and weekends. He was
invaluable to the Sisters of Service as
he had a sound knowledge of both English and Italian and was able to act as
an interpreter for many Italian newcomers to Canada. His length of service
spanned five years, eventually ending
in 1965. As a Sisters of Service volunteer, Mario often worked side by side
with Sister Liota as he recorded names,
made phone calls for people, explained
procedures and documents and answered many questions about Canada.
He recalls many newcomers searching
for a phone so they could call their relatives in Canada to let them know they
had arrived. Mario recalls very little of
the newcomers
speaking English; therefore
he was often
giving directions to people in Italian.
Mario recalls Pier 21 as not being in
the best condition during its time of
operation. Immigrants would come
into a big hall to be sorted out then
proceed down a corridor into an16
other section where they would be
sent in one direction or another.
Many stood in line for long periods
of time until being taken downstairs
to check luggage before boarding
the trains. He
remembers
many confused
immigrants but
does not recall
hearing any
complaints. He
also recalls having to wear tags in order to gain access to different parts
within the Pier, as many areas were restricted.
Linda Wilson was another volunteer who
worked at Pier 21 during the same period as Mario. Linda was born in Halifax
in 1946 and served as a member of the
Red Cross Corps. In 1963, at the age of
16, Linda decided to take a summer
course at Dalhousie University and was
encouraged to join the Red Cross by her
aunt, who was also involved with the
organization. Linda volunteered with the Red Cross at Pier
21 for one week and was hooked. She remained a volunteer
at Pier 21 until 1970. Linda recalls the sporadic schedules of
the ship arrivals and quickly learned to wait for the call telling her the ship was in the harbour before heading down to
Pier 21 to wait for passengers. Volunteering at Pier 21 was
Linda’s first experience in the immigration field and although
she later went on to do other community work, she has not forgotten her experiences at
Pier 21 and thinks of it often.
As a Red Cross volunteer, Linda spent much of her time in the Red Cross nursery. Within
the nursery there were 10 or 12 large cribs and a few smaller ones, change tables, small
tables for children and a lounge area with sofas to rest on. Many people came into the Red
Cross nursery to escape the crowd in the hall and the Red Cross volunteers would often
head out into the promenade to search for the tired and the confused, directing them into
the nursery or lounge area. Linda remembers a coffeepot was always on and a lot of
newcomers were relieved to finally be in the hands of the Red Cross. Many were extremely thankful the Red Cross volunteers were there, even though Linda believes her
duties were quite basic.
“You were doing so little, it was very simple tasks that we were performing such as washing a child’s face, giving him a
band aid or giving an elderly person a place to curl up for a couple of hours with a blanket, pillow and a cup of coffee. They
seemed to be such simple things, yet the people we were looking after were extremely grateful for the help.”
Both Mario and Linda recall spending much of their time looking at and explaining documents and finding lost luggage.
“Sometimes it was right down to the wire when we found the lost luggage,” Linda says. “The train whistle would be
blowing and it was the last piece of luggage left in the baggage room.” They also recall that Pier 21 often seemed really
large and barren when it was empty, yet when the ships came in, it couldn’t have seemed smaller.
Linda and Mario eventually crossed paths when Linda sought out Mario to interpret something for her. This chance
meeting would have a profound effect on their lives forever. Within a few days, Mario asked Linda if he could escort her
home. Linda agreed. Soon they were dating and after five years of courtship, Mario proposed. Mario and Linda Zambolin
were married by Archbishop Hayes, a fellow Pier 21 volunteer, in 1969 and will celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversary
in September of 2002. They have three children. Linda recalls:
“The first time I really thought about our meeting was when Pier 21 opened and
it was kind of interesting to think that Pier 21 has its own history, yet in a way
we are a part of it. I never would have met Mario if I hadn’t gone down there to
volunteer.”
If you visit the volunteer exhibit at Pier 21 you will see a picture of Mario working side by side with Sister Liota. On Canada Day 1999, Pier 21 re-opened with
the Zambolin family in attendance for the grand opening ceremonies. As Mario
toured the museum he stumbled across the large photograph and was pleasantly surprised to see himself.
17
Interested in Volunteering?
Often in a crisis it is the volunteers who come to the aid of those in need. For instance when there is a fire or a flood many volunteers
donate long hours to assisting those who require help. However, a crisis does not need to be evident for volunteers to actively support
the community.
Many organizations in Canada would not be able to operate successfully without the help of dedicated volunteers. Some organizations
are run almost totally by volunteers and without them, many simply would not exist. With long and busy workweeks, and the many
hours spent in school and doing schoolwork, most Canadians do not have an abundance of free time. Therefore, the people who fit
volunteering into their busy schedules represent a truly special group.
Some days you might come home from school or work, tired and worn out, and the last thing you want to do is go back out to a
volunteer meeting or event. But then you think of the big reward you will receive when it’s over. It might come in the form of a smiling
face or a sincere thank you from someone who truly appreciates your efforts. Or, your reward might just be the knowledge that you
made a difference.
There are many different types of volunteer work. You can usually pick and choose where you would like to volunteer and most
organizations are quite eager for any help you can provide. Volunteers are currently working in numerous areas of your community.
People volunteer at animal shelters, schools, hospitals, community centres and for a variety of charities. The possibilities for volunteer
placements are endless. Once you decide how you would like to donate your time and effort, finding a place to put your skills to work
should not be very difficult. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer but have not yet decided what area you would like to focus
on, it would be wise to make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Once you have compiled your list you need to decide whether you
would like to work in the areas that you feel confident in or work in the areas that you wish to develop further. Often, a volunteer
opportunity will allow you the chance to explore both areas.
Volunteering can also give people a glimpse into their future careers. If you would like to be a veterinarian when you grow up,
volunteering at an animal hospital would help you to see the duties and responsibilities of a veterinarian. Also, your volunteer experience at the animal hospital can be included on applications for jobs, colleges and universities.
If you have decided to become a volunteer, there are volunteer centres that you can contact to find opportunities in your community.
18
Volunteer Centres Across Canada
Volunteer centres are great places to start looking for opportunities. The staff at these centres can help you find the perfect place to donate your time
and give you additional information on volunteering. This is not an exhaustive list of the volunteer centres in Canada. The purpose of this list is to give
volunteers a starting point. If you do not see a volunteer centre in your community on this list try contacting the centre that is listed under your
province for a referral to another area.
ALBERTA
VolunteerAlberta
50SirWinstonChurchillAvenue
St.Albert,ABT8N0G4
Tel:(780)418-6336
Fax:(780)460-1365
TollFree(inAlberta):1-877-915-6336
[email protected]
NEW BRUNSWICK
SaintJohnVolunteerCentreInc.
P.O.Box7091Station“A”
116PrinceWilliamStreet
SaintJohn,NBE2L4S5
Tel:(506)658-1555
Fax:(506)652-3791
[email protected]
ONTARIO
VolunteerCentreofToronto
344BloorStreetWest,Suite207
Toronto, ON M5S 3A7
Tel:(416)961-6888
Fax:(416)961-6859
[email protected]
www.volunteertoronto.on.ca
BRITISH COLUMBIA
VolunteerBC
#301-3102MainStreet
Vancouver, BC V5T 3G7
Tel:(604)873-5877
Fax:(604)875-0710
[email protected]
www.volunteerbc.bc.ca
NEWFOUNDLAND
CommunityServiceCouncil,
VolunteerCentre
Suite201,VirginiaParkPlaza,
NewfoundlandDrive
St.John’s,NFA1A3E9
Tel:(709)753-9860
Fax:(709)753-6112
[email protected]
www.csc.nf.net
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
TheVoluntaryResourceCouncil
81PrinceStreet
Charlottetown,PEC1A4R3
Tel:(902)368-7337
Fax:(902)368-7180
[email protected]
MANITOBA
TheVolunteerCentreofWinnipegInc.
Suite410-5DonaldStreetSouth
Winnipeg, MB R3L 2T4
Tel:(204)477-5180
Fax:(204)284-5200
[email protected]
www.volunteerwinnipeg.mb.ca
NOVA SCOTIA
VolunteerResourceCentre
P.O.Box1055,282GeorgeStreet
Sydney,NSB1P6J7
Tel:(902)562-1245
Fax:(902)539-7210
[email protected]
SASKATCHEWAN
VolunteerRegina
2300-11thAvenue
Regina,SKS4P0K1
Tel:(306)751-4759
Fax:(306)522-7199
[email protected]
NUNAVUT, NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES, YUKON
ForinformationonvolunteeropportunitiesinNunavut,theNorthwestTerritories
andtheYukonpleasecontactVolunteer
Canada.www.volunteer.ca
QUEBEC
Fédérationdescentresd’actionbénévole
du Québec
2100, avenue Marlowe, bureau 236
Montréal, QC H4A 3L5
Tel:(514)843-6312
TollFree:1-800-715-7515
Fax:(514)843-6485
[email protected]
www.fcabq.org
19
Lesson Plan for teachers
Overview and Objective
The activities in this lesson plan are intended to give students an enhanced understanding of volunteer work in their community. Through their research, the
students will have the opportunity to discuss different causes and social issues.
There are areas in this lesson plan that span across grade levels. Teachers should choose activities suitable for his/her classroom.
Brainstorming
Write the word “Volunteer” on the chalkboard and ask the students to explain what they think the word means. Then involve students in a discussion about
the importance of volunteering and the kind of volunteer activities available in their communities. Ask them how they would go about encouraging other
students to get involved in their communities.
Discussion
Discuss with students the various areas of volunteer work available in the community and also have them discuss the various causes that they feel strongly
about. Have each student pick an organization or social problem and create a brochure or poster encouraging other students to volunteer for this cause.
Research
Have students research a cause or organization and prepare a project about the topic. Some students may be interested in stopping pollution and exploring
volunteer opportunities with regards to the environment. Or, some students may be interested in one of the many health issues affecting Canadians today and
may wish to talk about that issue and examine the possibilities for volunteers to help.
For example: If a student wishes to do his or her project on the Canadian Cancer Society, the first step would be to research the organization and the disease
and show others why the cause is important. Then the student would list the volunteer opportunities surrounding the cause and the society. In conjunction
with Activity 2 students will make brochures or posters to encourage others to volunteer for this organization or cause. After the projects are complete
students could donate their work to the society.
20
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
1. Role Playing Activity (Class Activity)
Have the students form groups of three. Pick one member of each group to act as the immigrant and ask them to imagine they have just walked off the ship
and into Pier 21, where it is crowded and noisy and nothing is familiar. Now, have them imagine the crowd has separated them from their family and they
are starting to panic. Introduce a second student to act as a volunteer working at the Pier. Have the immigrant, without using any English words, explain to
the volunteer that he or she:
- is lost
- is hungry
- is scared
- in need of a bathroom
- needs medical help because their wife is having a baby
- cannot find their luggage
- cannot find their child
- is looking for the train station
Then introduce a third student to act as an interpreter between the immigrant and the volunteer. The interpreter will try to explain to the volunteer what the
immigrant is trying to express. The volunteer will then explain to the immigrant what can be done to help them, with the help of the interpreter.
2. Pack a “Ditty Bag” (Individual Activity)
Imagine that you are a volunteer with one of the many groups that donated their time to Pier 21 during its years of operation and you are asked to pack “ditty
bags” for newcomers to Canada. What would you include in the ditty bags? Why did you choose the items you included? Make a list of the items that you
think would help an immigrant with his or her start in Canada. Keep in mind that many boarded trains for long trips to their final destinations. After you
have made your list, give your reasons for including the items. Compare your ditty bag with the rest of your class and compile a large list of useful items for
immigrants coming to Canada.
3. Creative Writing Activity (Individual Activity)
Imagine that you are a volunteer at Pier 21. Write a story from this perspective titled “A day in the life of a Pier 21 volunteer.” Write about the various
scenarios that volunteers would have found themselves in during the span of a day at Pier 21 and give a general outline of their duties and responsibilities.
Share your story with the rest of the class and put together a book of the different volunteer stories for people to read when visiting your classroom.
4. Talk to a Volunteer (Individual Activity)
Conduct your own oral history interview with a volunteer in your community. Follow the Oral History instructions given in this book and compose a list of
questions to ask the volunteer. You may use audio equipment for your interview but don’t forget to summarize it after. Once the interview is conducted and
summarized, present your findings to the class.
21
Oral History Instructions
Participating in an oral history interview allows students to connect with the
past. They are able to search for and collect information, drawing conclusions from the evidence they have found. Through the use of oral histories,
students learn more about a particular person, place or event. In this particular activity, students will be learning about the role of volunteers in their
community and are able to practice their listening skills.
1st Step:
The first step is to decide whose story you want to capture on tape. For it to
be an oral history, the person must have lived through the event or time
period in question and must be able to recall details and have other memories. Students, with the help of their parents, should choose a volunteer with
an interesting story to tell. In most cases, the people chosen will be interested
in helping the students with their project and will be glad to help.
2nd Step:
Once the decision has been made, the individual’s name, address and telephone number should be recorded and an appointment made. Talking about
the experiences in his/her life will be very important to the individual and so
a special time should be set aside. This will also allow both the individual
and the student time to prepare.
3rd Step:
Next students will need to do background research. Books, movies and the
Internet all contain good sources of information. For example, if the person
had served in the Second World War, students could read a few books to
learn why the war started and who was involved. Background reading will
help the students to better understand the experiences of the individual chosen for the interview.
22
4th Step:
The information learned from background reading can then form the basis
for the questions that the students will ask. Before the oral history interview
takes place, the students need to think about and write down the questions
they plan to ask. The first questions should be designed to help the individual
relax and get them in the mood to reminisce. Asking them when they were
born and where, about their family and growing up can help do this. Once
the person is comfortable, additional questions can be asked, which focuses
on the topic of interest. These questions should encourage the individual to
share personal remembrances and stories, both happy and sad.
Instructions for the Student Interviewer
Permission
Once you have decided who you would like to
interview and have made an appointment, you
must also get permission to record the conversation. You cannot assume that it will be okay.
Practice
If you are not comfortable using a tape recorder
or video camera make sure to practice before going to the interview.
Location
The best place to do an oral history interview is
in a room with few distractions. Make sure the
television is off and that there are no fans blowing, air conditioning units or refrigerators nearby. The noise they make will be very noticeable
on the final tape. If you are using a tape recorder
and microphone, the equipment should be placed
on a table between the student and the subject.
With a video recorder, the camera should be
placed as close to the person as possible. It should
not be placed more than ten feet away unless there
is a special microphone.
Proper Clothing
When doing an oral history, you want to be
dressed nicely but you also want to be comfortable. Dress respectfully and keep in mind that
your clothing should not be a distraction for the
person telling their story.
Identifying the
Tape
You must make sure that the tape (whether audio
or video) is carefully identified. At the beginning
of the recording say “My name is _________
and I am interviewing
__________ on the topic of ________________.
The date is _________.
Checking the
Tape and
Signing Release
Forms
When you are finished recording, rewind the tape
and check to see that it can be heard and/or seen.
Remember to smile and say thank you before
you leave. Release forms must be signed to ensure
that you can show the interview to others. Sample
release forms have been included on the next page.
If your family has a connection to Pier 21 and
you would like to donate a copy to the Resource
Centre, please let us know.
Written Transcription
Some sections of the oral history will also need
to be written down. Think about your interview
for a moment– what stories stand out in your
mind? These will be the ones that you should transcribe on paper. A transcription is a word for
word written version of the tape. It is very important not to change any words, even if you think
they are wrong, because you could accidentally
change the meaning. In order to be historically
accurate and true to the individual’s intentions,
everything must be copied word for word.
Thank You Letter
Once you have listened to or watched the interview, it is a good idea to send a thank- you letter
or card to the individual you interviewed. This
will show your appreciation for everything they
have done to help you. It is also important to send
a copy of the tape to the individual.
23
Glossary of Terms
benevolent- characterized by or suggestive of doing good deeds. Concerned
with, or organized for the benefit of charity.
emigrant- a person who leaves his or her own country for another country.
Her parents were emigrants from Italy.
British Evacuee Children/ British Guest Children – children who were sent
to Canada by their parents to protect their health and safety while the war
was going on around them in Britain. The children returned home to their
parents after the end of the war.
home children- children sent to Canada by orphanages to serve as labourers
for families across the country.
citizenship- the position of being a citizen of a country with all the rights,
duties and privileges that come with it. The immigrant has to pass a test to
gain citizenship in the new country.
citizenship courts- the ceremony where immigrants are sworn in as new
Canadian citizens.
conductress- a woman who leads or directs, also known as a directress. A
woman conductor who is in charge of a railroad train, bus, or streetcar.
customs- the procedure of inspecting goods or baggage when entering a
country.
detention- people who were delayed or stopped coming into Canada due to
insufficient funds or incomplete paperwork were held in detention or detained by officials.
displaced people- people who had to move from their usual or proper place.
Many people were displaced by the war in Europe and had to leave their
homes to come to Canada.
immigration/ immigrate- the process of going to live in a country in which
one was not born. Jane’s grandparents immigrated to Canada from England.
immigrant- a person who comes to live in country in which he or she was
not born. Jane’s grandparents were immigrants to Canada from England.
interpreter- a person who helped to change from one language to another, to
translate. The volunteer interpreter translated what the immigrant was trying to say from Italian to English so that people could better understand.
philanthropist- the effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations. Something, such as an activity or
institution, intended to promote human welfare.
port chaplain- a member of the clergy who conducts religious services for
an institution, such as a prison, hospital or port.
refugee- a person who flees from a place to find safety or protection. The
refugees had to leave their own country because of the war and find homes
in another place.
ditty bag- a bag of goods that volunteers prepared for immigrants to help
them out during their first few days in Canada. The bags commonly contained things like razor blades, detergent and soap along with much more.
volunteer- a person who offers help or does something of their own free will
without pay.
emigration/ emigrate- the process of leaving one’s own country for another.
war bride- a woman who married a Canadian serviceman overseas and
returned to live in Canada with him once the war was over.
24
Recommended
Reading
List
This is not an exhaustive list of the books available on this topic, nor does this list recommend one book more than another. Read as many as possible to find the
book that is right for you. Also, check your local library for additional reading material on this topic.
Adams, Patricia and Marzollo, Jean. The Helping Hands Handbook. New York: Random House, 1992.
DiGeronimo, Theresa. A Student’s Guide to Volunteering. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 1995.
Duper, Linda Leeb. 160 Ways to Help the World. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1996.
Gilbert, Sara. Lend a Hand. The How, Where and Why of Volunteering. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1998.
Goodman, Alan. The Big Help Book: 365 Ways You Can Make a Difference by Volunteering. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1994.
Henderson, Kathy. What Would We Do Without You? A Volunteer Guide to Activities for Kids. White Hall, VA: Betterway Publications, Inc., 1990.
Kessler, Paula N. Amazing Kids. New York: Random House, 1995.
Lewis, Barbara A. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 1995.
Lewis, Barbara A. The Kid’s Guide to Social Action. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 1991.
Salzman, Marian and Reisgies, Teresa. 150 Ways Teens Can Make a Difference. Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s Guides, 1991.
Westridge Young Writers Workshop. Kids Explore Kids Who Make a Difference. Santa Fe, New Mexico: John Muir Publications, 1997.
1055 Marginal Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
B3H 4P6
902-425-7770
www.pier21.ca