New Canadians sworn in on Canada Day in Winnipeg

Thirty newcomers officially became Canadian citizens on Monday during an emotional Canada Day ceremony at The Leaf gardens in Assiniboine Park, surrounded by drumming, national pride — and tears of joy.

“You have done something so powerful and so majestic and so beautiful and so right,” said Winston Wuttunee, Indigenous knowledge keeper and elder, addressing the group during the ceremony.

For many, the moment marked the end of a long, challenging journey.

“I cried, I cried a lot,” said Selina Akdher, whose mother, Shefa Rahman, was among those sworn in. “I’m proud of my mom. I don’t want anything — I want only my mom to stay here with me. Nothing else.”

Akdher, already a Canadian citizen, immigrated from Bangladesh 20 years ago and worked hard to bring her mother to Canada six years ago.

“It’s a lot of work,” she said. “A lot of paperwork, a lot of money. I work, I save money.”

Rahman’s path to citizenship was emotional for both mother and daughter — and one deeply tied to the promise of a better life.

“Canada is a very nice country and Canadian people is so nice,” Akdher added. “We are happy to be here.”

Monday’s event — held appropriately on Canada Day — was filled with cultural celebration, from drumming to a group rendition of O Canada.

Among those taking the oath was Patrice Sebineza, who came to Canada five years ago from Botswana seeking a safer life for his family.

“I’m opening the door for my family to get the citizen[ship] because I’m the only one,” said Sebineza. “We appreciate it, because now we are going to be able to contribute in Canada as citizens.”

He said the moment was one of both relief and pride.

“It is, I don’t know, wonderful,” he said. “It is good to be secured in the way there is freedom and the expression of human rights in this country.”

For his son, Fabris Sebineza, the moment was inspiring.

“It brought inspiration to me,” said Fabris. “It’s like, you know what? Next ceremony, I am going to be the other person in my family getting this citizenship. It meant a lot to me, and I’m excited seeing that Dad finally got his citizenship that he’s been waiting for for so long.”

As each new citizen received their certificate and shook hands with officials, cheers echoed through the garden — a reminder of what it means to belong, and the power of starting anew in a place called home.