Fredericton residents are encouraged to visit Refugee Canada Tent , a travelling exhibit that provides the public with a newfound understanding of the journey refugees take to flee war, persecution and build a new life in Fredericton.
The City of Fredericton and the Fredericton Public Library have partnered to host the travelling pop-up exhibit created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 with the support of The Birks Family Foundation. Supporting the exhibition aligns with recommendations from the City of Fredericton’s Anti-Racism Task Force, who delivered their final report to City Council in November 2023.
The exhibit will highlight under-represented voices and aid in relationship building through providing an opportunity for residents to learn about the people who help shape the community. The City’s contributions to the project included facilitating the agreement to host and assisting with delivery and set-up.
Since the 1990’s, Fredericton has gained a reputation for welcoming and supporting waves of government assisted refugees from all around the world.
”Hosting this free exhibit at the Library will provide an opportunity for our community to gain a deeper understanding of the refugee experience ” said Mayor Kate Rogers. “I hope all who visit the Refugee Canada Tent exhibit leave with a sense of compassion and understanding for those who have fled war and now call our city home.”
Refuge Canada Tent raises awareness of the complex issues surrounding the history of refugees in Canada. Drawing upon oral histories, archival images and interactives, this immersive exhibit serves as an introduction to the context for Canada’s place in the global refugee crisis and brings to light the challenges faced by refugees in Canada. The exhibit was designed to resemble a tent and is the same size as a typical shelter used in refugee camps today.
“As Fredericton continues to grow and welcome residents from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds it is important we support opportunities to increase the understanding of refugee experiences” said Hilary Nguyen, Community Inclusion Liaison at the City of Fredericton. “This exhibit reflects recommendations from the City’s Anti-Racism Task Force and helps strengthen relationships and mutual understanding across our community.”
The exhibit has been in nearly 30 communities across the country since 2021. Refugee Tent Canada arrived in Fredericton at the end of July and is available to visit on the first floor of the Fredericton Public Library’s downtown location until September 28th.
“The Fredericton Public Library, like many public libraries, aims to be a welcoming place that is able to bring people from all backgrounds together. We know that a lot of our library users are new Canadians, and this exhibit can help them feel seen and heard by us” said Rose Morton, Adult Services Librarian at the Fredericton Public Library. It also provides a glimpse of understanding to those of us who have not been through these experiences. Pier 21 has done an amazing job at putting this together- a really great, transportable tool that conveys a lot of meaning in a useful way.”
Visitors to the exhibit are able to walk through and learn about the following aspects:
- Introduction & Who is a Refugee
- Fear and Persecution
- Escape and Displacement
- Refugee Camps
- Temporary Placements
- Policy and Practice
- Canada and the World
- Perceptions and Acceptance
- Contributions and Impact
The exhibit is free and can be viewed at any time during the library's hours of operation.