The Stories of You

Editorial Team: Jenn Chan, Mathura Mahendren, Justine Abigail Yu, Kathleen Ubias
Artists: Angela Aujla, Christie Carrière, María Piñeros Murillo, Meegan Lim, Melissa Mathieu
Publisher: Living Hyphen

The Stories of Us aims to empower newcomers to learn English through their own stories.

According to the 2016 census, over 7.5 million people, representing 21.9% of Canada's population, identified as landed immigrants or permanent residents. Additionally, one in five Canadians are foreign-born. This work is driven by a mission to foster a sense of belonging among individuals across what is now Canada. Alongside the DIA, it acknowledges the vital role newcomers play in the nation’s social fabric and recognizes that the settlement journey is multifaceted—simultaneously jarring, exciting, challenging, and joyous. For newcomers, it often entails leaving behind the familiar and relearning everything, from housing and work to family and language.

This collection seeks to provide a glimpse into the diverse and complex experiences of newcomers. It features over 60 stories in 15 languages, shared by individuals from around the globe who have settled in various regions of Canada. As the first-ever English as a Second Language (ESL) library of stories written and told by newcomers for newcomers, it offers a unique and authentic perspective on their journeys.