Kampala to Canada: Untold Immigration Stories of Ugandan Asians

Kampala to Canada is an exhibition captured in a coffee table book, filled with biographies, personal photographs, and colorful pages of artwork that explores various aspects of the immigration journey from resiliency, to grief, to marginalization. Kampala to Canada includes a collection of untold stories of 12 Ugandan South Asian Canadians. Their stories start decades ago, some over a century, journeys that crossed continents, beginning in India, before arriving in Canada. Most came to Canada in the 70s as refugees, penniless and uncertain of their future. Though their stories are full of struggles, they are among some of the best and brightest - entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and professionals contributing economically, socially, and culturally to Canada. There is vulnerability, humility, generosity, and love in each story. This publication presents another component of the Indian diaspora, an overlooked aspect of Canadian history. 80,000 Asians (referring to those from the Indian subcontinent) were given 90 days to leave Uganda in 1972. This was the country they called home for generations. Several countries refused entrance to Ugandan refugees. Ugandan Asians were the largest non-European group permitted to resettle in postwar Canada. By 1973, over 6000 refugees resettled in Canada, paving the way for future refugee programs. All this was possible because of a change in Canadian policy only years earlier. Kampala to Canada also shares the work of diverse Canadian artists from across the globe who have roots in Asia. Their work explores different aspects of immigration, such as identity, marginalization, assimilation, mental health and so much more - experiences immigrants across communities can relate to. Taslim Samji is an internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary Canadian artist, curator, cultural leader, spoken word poet, and writer, known for curating thought-provoking exhibitions showcasing the stories of immigrants and the work of marginalized artists in response to anti-Muslim racism and xenophobia. Through her work, she explores identity, pluralism, and shared perspectives. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Asian Studies, and studied art at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. In 2017, Samji received her first international award - Women of the Decade in Arts and Leadership - presented by the Women Economic Forum, a global conference platform with over 1000 chapters and circles. Over the years, Samji has received several accolades for her work and most recently in 2023, she was acknowledged for outstanding achievement by the Women of Worth organization. Samji serves on several boards, mentoring community artists, and advocating for the inclusion of underrepresented artists within the local art scene. She continues to find creative ways to uplift, inspire, educate, and heal. To learn more about her work, visit www.tsamji.com.