Thursday, May 03, 2007

I'm a Canadian!



On Monday, May 1st, I became a Canadian Citizen. I am officially "Dual": American and Canadian.

I first came to Canada in 1997 on a Student Visa. I later obtained a Work Visa as a Registered Nurse and then converted it into Landed Immigrancy status with Spousal Sponsership. My husband and kids are Dual Citizens as well.

This is a dream come true. Years ago, we talked about working toward my Dual Citizenship so that we could come and go in either country without hassle. In part, it is a symbol of marriage, of two citizenships becoming one. I've been "engaged" to Canada as a Landed Immigrant for 3 years and now am officially "married" and recognized as a Canadian family member.

During the ceremony, we were asked to stand and sing the Canadian anthem, to swear/affirm allegiance to the Queen, to take the oath of Citizenship. The judge took time to share a speech about the rights and privileges of a Canadian Citizen and to welcome us into the family. He read a list of the countries represented and we each stood for applause. There were 115 of us from Bangladesh, India, Korea, Jamaica, England, South Africa, China, Kosova, Germany, United States and a few others countries.

My husband, parents-in-love, brother and sister-in-love and children attended the ceremony. It was wonderful to have them there with me.

I am thankful to be at the end of this journey and to hold Canadian Citizenship. I have grown to love this country and feel honoured to be fully accepted into it.


7 comments:

L.L. Barkat said...

Warm congratulations!

lisa said...

Congratulations! 50 years ago my Canadian Mum married my Dad and then became a U.S. citizen. Too bad she didn't go for dual :-( But we're proud of our Canadian roots :-)

NABR said...

Yay! I'm so happy for you....

tamie marie said...

Congratulations, Kel!!!!! Bravo!

Thanks for your posts on my blog. Yep, I would really love to talk soon!

Sam said...

Welcome to the fam Kelly. I had totally forgotten you weren't a native to the great white north.

elizabeth said...

congrads! we are both duals! :) your becoming was more eventful than mine! :) for me it was my quote legal right as i was born of a Canadian mother; mine came almost 4 years ago... i got at in the mail...

it is interesting taking on another citizenship ... the concept of cultural memory and the fact that i do not have one for Canada is quite interesting... (i.e. those who grew up in ON know things i do not, like when municipalities merged and what the prime ministers of the past 30 plus years look like...)

i remember when my mom became an American!

congrads again! would love to hear reflections on what it has meant for you to be come Canadian over the years - ... :)

Anonymous said...

congratulations on the 'official' canadian status! happy to have you in the country :)