AMSSA

This very moment calls us to build genuine trust and relationships with Indigenous peoples and to take real action toward decolonizing not just history, but the systems we live and work within.

With guidance from cultural facilitator Sussan Yáñez, we began a reflexive journey of rethinking our practices and relationships.

We approached the Indigenous welcome differently this time!

Instead of treating it as a formality, we took this meaningful opportunity to pause, to reflect on how our sector engages with Indigenous peoples, and especially with Elders.

🌟 Leadership Forum 2025: Presentation on Guesthood on Unceded Territories: Rethinking Organizational Practices

#LeadershipForum2025

The session concluded with a guided meditation led by Elder Norm, encouraging participants to find, see, and feel their connections to the land and water, and most importantly, to one another.

Learn more about AMSSA's Truth and Decolonization resources: www.amssa.org/category_res...

As a Black African woman, Winnie shared that learning about the realities Indigenous peoples face here in Canada also stirs something familiar within us, the echoes of our own histories and the harms of colonization that many of us still carry.

Elder Norm Leech emphasized that we are all Indigenous to the Earth, and when we come to a new place, the best approach is to ask those who have lived there the longest. In the place we now call Canada, that means Indigenous peoples.

The workshop was held in a circle, inviting participants to share their thoughts and experiences related to the Truth and Reconciliation process, and to explore ways to engage newcomers in conversations about decolonization, Indigenous history, and reconciliation.

As part of the 2025 Diversity Symposium, Elder Norm Leech, a member of AMSSA’s Indigenous Advisory Council, and Winnie Chironga, AMSSA’s Director of Equity, together with cultural facilitator Sussan Yáñez, co-led a workshop titled Engaging Newcomers in Truth and Reconciliation.

YouTube video by AMSSA Annual Report 2024-2025

✨ We’re excited to share our 2024–25 Video Annual Report with you!

It’s time for a renewed immigration vision National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

Nearly 200 organizations united through The Canada We Believe In coalition call for a renewed vision for Canadian immigration as Canada prepares its 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: https://nationalnewswatch.com/2025/09/23/its-time-for-a-renewed-immigration-vision

The BC Safe Haven Resource Network Language Curriculum Guidelines Website is the first resource of its kind in Canada, bringing together research and innovation to create language instruction tailored to the unique needs of refugee claimant language learners. https://safehavencurriculum.amssa.org/

✨ We had a wonderful evening filled with reflections, visions, hopes and also laughter and tears. Thank you to our beloved members, funders, partners, and staff for your contributions, support, compassion, and care!

🌟 Exciting Leadership Update 🌟

AMSSA is pleased to announce that Dr. Daljit Gill-Badesha has been selected as the next Chief Executive Officer of AMSSA. Daljit will officially begin as AMSSA’s CEO on October 8, 2025.

A big shoutout to our amazing local partner and AMSSA member Kamloops Immigrant Services (KIS) for their incredible support on the ground in Kamloops! The morning after the forum, we were invited to visit the KIS office. Thank you for all the great memories in Kamloops!

#SmallerCentreForum2025

✨ As part of the Smaller Centre Forum, we had two activities designed to open space for participants to exchange stories and discover connections. We received very positive feedback about these connecting activities! What do you think? #SmallerCentreForum2025

We were also joined by Anastasia Chyz-LeSage from IRCC BCY, who offered valuable reflections on the federal perspective and ongoing support for rural and remote service delivery.

Opening remarks from Katie Crocker and Sabrina Dumitra of AMSSA reminded us of the strength that comes from collaboration, reciprocity, and community-rooted service.

We began the day with a heartfelt welcome from Elder Robin Gottfriedson and her daughter Lacey Gottfriedson, grounding us in the land and our shared purpose.

📣 Welcome to Interwoven Communities: Sharing the Stories of Smaller & Rural Centres – the 2025 Smaller Centre Forum! This year’s Forum celebrates the interwovenness of smaller and rural centres, connected by shared values, local knowledge, and deep community care.
#SmallerCentreForum2025

Affiliate in Focus: As CEO of @amssa.bsky.social for over a decade, Katie Crocker has been a vital partner to CMS since its early days, helping to shape our community engagement work as a founding Community Representative on the Executive Committee.

🔗 Read more: migration.ubc.ca/news/affilia...

Our CEO Katie Crocker in the spotlight at UBC as she describes her professional background, motivations, and meaningful moments at AMSSA migration.ubc.ca/news/affilia... @migration.ubc.ca @ubcpress.bsky.social

Our CEO Katie Crocker in the spotlight at UBC as she describes her professional background, motivations, and meaningful moments at AMSSA migration.ubc.ca/news/affilia... @migration.ubc.ca @ubcpress.bsky.social

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the rich history and cultural strength of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada.
To mark this month, watch now the Survivor Spirit videos
👉 bit.ly/3X8a12t

#NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth

🌈 Tomorrow, May 17, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
Want to strengthen your support for LGBTQ2I+ newcomers? Explore our free E-Learning courses designed for service providers: 👉https://lnkd.in/gVM3g7mY
#LGBTQ2I #SettlementSector #InclusionMatters

Here's how the 15th Red Dress Day is being marked in B.C. | CBC News Events are taking place across B.C. Monday as Indigenous people and their allies gather, march and hold ceremony for the hundreds of Indigenous women and girls who are missing or have been murdered in...

🔴 Today is Red Dress Day, honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+).

👗 Hang a red dress
🕯 Attend a vigil
❤️ Wear red in solidarity

Find local events: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

#MMIWG2S #RedDressDay #Solidarity