Working with New Americans: Bhutanese and Somali Populations

Transcription

1 Working with New Americans: Bhutanese and Somali Populations K A T H E R I N E D A C H T L E R L U T H E R A N S O C I A L S E R V I C E S N E W A M E R I C A N S

2 Agenda Lutheran Social Services New Americans Bhutanese Refugees The Journey Culture Religion Somali Refugees The Journey Culture Religion

3 LSS New Americans Who is a refugee? A person or peoples who have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion.

4 LSS New Americans What is asylum? Meet the definition of refugee Are already in the United States Are seeking admission at a port of entry

5 LSS New Americans Resettlement UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Assisted approximately 50 million people 15.4 million refugees (2013) Repatriation Local Integration Third Country Resettlement Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), asylum seekers, returnees, stateless people

6 LSS New Americans Resettlement countries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others Identification of refugees in need of resettlement Screening and processing, application Integration into country offering resettlement Each year, about 1% of refugees submit for resettlement Which countries resettle?

7 LSS New Americans New culture.new language. U.S.A. Year 2013: 69,927 refugee arrivals Total in ND: 449 GF: 132, FAR: 279, WFAR: 8, MOOR 20, BIS: 10 Since 1975, U.S. resettled approximately 3.1 million+ refugees Immigration status

8 LSS New Americans Refugee Benefits Refugee Employment & Case Management Social Services Programming Refugee Medical Assistance Health Screening Reception & Placement Funds/Refugee Cash Assistance

9 LSS New Americans FY-2013 Arrivals for North Dakota FY-2013 Arrivals for North Dakota Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Feb-13 Mar- 13 Apr-13 May- 13 Jun-13 Jul-13 Aug-13 Sep-13 FY-Totals New Arrivals Secondary Migrants Asylees URM TOTAL FARGO Individuals WEST FARGO Individuals MOORHEAD Individuals BISMARCK Individuals GRAND FORKS Individuals TOTAL 449

10 The Journey Bhutanese Refugees

11 Bhutanese Refugees

12 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Ngalongs, Sarchops, Lothsampas 95% Lothsampa or Southern Bhutanese Approximately 108,000 refugees Main language: Nepalese Bhutan: Dzongkha Education

13 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Lhotsampa names (2 parts) Children: 2 first names given Parental discretion Caste System Nice to meet you Namaste

14 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Let s Eat! Traditional diet: Vegetables & grain/legumes Hindus: Please don t pass the beef or pork Bhuddists: Please don t pass the protein

15 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Driglam Namzha, 1989 Public Mandate What is traditional? Men Bhutanese: Gho, Kabney Nepalese: Daura Surual Women Bhutanese: Kira, Toego, Rachu Nepalese: Varies Guniu, Sari, Tongok, etc.

16 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Family is deeply valued Safety net when in need Extended family lives together Elders deeply respected

17 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Patriarchal Society Marriage Male & Female Roles Refugees in the US Family Structure Adult time vs. Child time It takes a village Child-rearing Different development milestones timeline

18 Bhutanese Refugees Culture Caste and Clan What s in a name? Marriage, polygamy Generational conflict Common Values Family-focused kinship Democracy Respect & Hospitality Frugality & Collaboration

19 Bhutanese Refugees Religion Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Kirat Nature-base, animism

20 Bhutanese Refugees Cultural Resources Center for Applied Linguistics s/bhutanese Department of State United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

21 The Journey Somali Refugees

22 Ifo, Hagadera, Dagahaley Dadaab, Kenya

23 Somali Refugees Culture 85% homogeneous Minority groups: Arabs, Southeast Asians, Bantus Main language: Somali 2 dialects: Af Maay and Af Maxaa Arabic, French, Italian, English, Russian, Swahili

24 Somali Refugees Culture Somali names (3 parts) Rhyme and reason Nicknames Married name? Nice to meet you Shaking hands

25 Somali Refugees Culture Let s Eat! Traditional diet: low in calories, high protein Please don t pass the pork or the alcohol Xalaal or Halal

26 Somali Refugees Culture Let s Eat! Cultural Chew Qat Chaat, caat, khat, Quatt, kat, and tchat

27 Somali Refugees Culture Diverse Traditional Dress Formal and public: Western Non formal/rural: Traditional What is traditional? Men Benadiry kufia Women Depends upon region, marital status or religious belief Guntiino Hejab or Hijab Henna = Celebration!

28 Somali Refugees Culture Family is deeply valued Safety net when in need Protection of family honor is important

29 Somali Refugees Culture Patriarchal Society Marriage Women s freedoms Female head of household Family Structure Hierarchal Basic needs focused It takes a village Loyalty and Honor are paramount.

30 Somali Refugees Culture Clans and Tribes What s in a name? Conflict vs. Solidarity Younger generation s take Whom are you from? Common Values Independence & Individualism Democracy & Egalitarianism Humor & Generosity Strength & Pride

31 Somali Refugees Religion Islam Peace and Submission to God 5 Pillars Declaration of faith Daily prayer Fasting Ramadan Concern for the needy/charity Making the pilgrimage to Makkah or Mecca Majority: Sunnis

32 Somali Refugees Religion Daily Prayer 5 times a day Every hrs Approximately 15 minutes Time is important! Friday Prayer 12:00 pm Men are obligated, not women

33 Somali Refugees Religion Ramadan Scorching Muhammad s Revelations 9 th month of Islamic Calendar 30 days or Holy Month Prayers and fasting Pregnant/breastfeeding women, sick, travelers, children Dawn to sunset : No food or water Suhur or predawn meal Iftar or meal to break the fast

34 Somali Refugees Cultural Resources World Wide Prayer Times Center for Applied Linguistics Department of State United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

35 Q & A K A T H E R I N E D A C H T L E R R E S E T T L E M E N T C O O R D I N A T O R D E M E R S A V E. G R A N D F O R K S, ND K D A C H T L E L S S N D. O R G ( )