Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Building on previous conceptual inquiry, our research addresses issues related to immigration, cultural diversity, and the challenges of building and maintaining community cohesion in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. In recent years, Saskatoon has experienced a large influx of immigrants and refugees in response to changes in provincial and federal immigration policy and a regional economic boom. Most of these newcomers arrive directly from abroad and many belong to linguistic, cultural, religious, and ethnic groups that are relatively new to the city (Keatings et al. 2012). Adding further complexity to the Saskatoon context is a troubled history of colonial relations between Indigenous peoples and predominantly Caucasian settlers within the wider provincial community, which has made the recent demographic changes particularly sensitive. Utilizing qualitative case study methods our research explores their perspectives on these recent changes within the city from a community development lens. Preliminary data analysis reveals significant tension between various cultural groups within the city resulting from weakness in preliminary planning and a lack of ongoing communication, information, and strategic programming to manage change. We conclude that the critical difference between positive intercultural contact and a culture clash may lie in mindful community development strategies to enable learning, manage change and foster integration in a manner that maximizes the productive and creative potential of diversity. Recommendations from participants for such strategies are articulated and we hope that these insights may be of benefit to community leaders in other contexts experiencing similar rapid change resulting from increasing cross-cultural diversity.