Museum researchers conduct recorded interviews with immigrants, refugees, settlement workers and others who have lived experiences relating to immigration. As a learning institution, these accounts help us understand how individuals recollect, interpret, or construct meaning from events and experiences that are within living or family memory. Excerpts of these audio and video interviews, such as those accessible here, are used by the museum in various ways. Please consult the Reproductions and Use information page for details on how to request the original, unmodified recording.
Donna talks about the excitement of her citizenship ceremony and her first Canada Day as a Canadian citizen.
And then we got the notice—appear before the judge. It was the most exciting day of my life. And I couldn’t believe it. This guy next to me was from China, or—I think he said China. And I said, “Aren’t you excited? Can’t you just not sit still in your seat?” And he says, “It’s for business.” I thought, oh, you poor thing. I’m here waving my little flag that they gave me, and you’re sitting there saying, “It’s for business.” Ah. But it was—it was wonderful. I was—I told—I told you, it’s the proudest day of my life. I just couldn’t stop smiling. I was just so happy. And then—so that was in May, and on Canada Day, I went to your Aunty Diane’s for just a barbecue with some friends. Oh, they made— they got a—like, a little tiara thing with little Canadian flags. I had a Canadian flag as a cape, I had all these presents, like Canadian mugs, and ashtrays, and towels, and maple syrup, and—[sighs] You see why I love it here? I’ve got the best friends.
Donna Williams was born in Wellington, New Zealand and immigrated to Canada on 12 July 1997. Growing up, Donna lived in many cities across New Zealand as her family moved frequently due to her father's career in the military. After high school, Donna worked and travelled. At the age of 33, she was set up on a blind date with a Canadian who was on business in New Zealand. The two stayed in touch and Donna moved to Montreal in 1997 to be with him. The couple married in 1999 and Donna became a stepmother to her husband's children from a previous marriage. In 2012, Donna became a Canadian citizen.
Video oral history conducted by Laura Sanchini on 9 March 2014 in Montreal, Quebec. The interview is not restricted; contact Museum staff for access to the full interview.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
Credit format: [Name], arrived from [Country], [Date of Arrival]. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 [Object ID Number].
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
