Abstract

The legacy of colonization and oppression experienced by Salvadorian immigrants in their country of origin continues to influence their social and economic integration into Canadian society. Moreover, the vast majority of Salvadorians immigrated to Canada only within the last two decades to escape a brutal civil war, and had to settle without the support of an established Salvadorian community. Using the Salvadorian community in one Southwestern Ontario city as a case-study, this paper examines the challenges brought on by these factors in the development of a unified ethnic community in their new home. It also reports on how Salvadorians’ sense of agency has helped them reclaim their legacy of historical oppression, allowing them, in some cases, to develop a collective voice through the process of acculturation.