"Canada: Peace, Order and

        Good Government" 

Incorporated in 2009, Indian Diaspora North America (IDNA) is a non-partisan, non-profit cultural organization established to (a) commemorate the historic arrival of Indian Diaspora members to the Americas and Caribbean islands, and show their transition over time to life in the West. IDNA's commitment is to strengthen multi-ethnic diversity within a free, strong and united Canada and grow respect, appreciation and tolerance among ethnic communities in Canada. 

From discussions among friends of the Indian Diaspora in Canada and overseas, and from a sober review of the 19th Century phenomenon of men, women and children leaving faraway India and South Asian countries over time to make a new home in lands west of India, IDNA officers agreed to undertake diaspora-related research on the content of the Diaspora in the Americas. Accordingly, several business meetings and research over time have produced five pillars of the IDNA initiative, namely, (1) a Diaspora Artifacts Museum, Colonial-era and otherwise, (2) a Library of the Diaspora, Academic and otherwise, (3) a Book of Model Canadians, Diaspora and otherwise, (4) a Diaspora Ancestors’ Registry, and (5) a Tribute to the African Diaspora, the precursor of the Indian Diaspora in the Americas. The five pillars are stitched together into a trilogy, “Canada-Birth of a Nation”, “Journey West of India” and a self-study module “Journey to Canadian values”.


 Diaspora Vision and Mission

IDNA’s vision is to champion a Canadian values-driven, multi-ethnic society within a free, strong and united Canada.

Based on this vision, IDNA’s Mission aims to (1) commemorate the arrival commencing in 1838, of South Asians to the Americas, (2) emphasize their transition and integration into the wider society to strengthen respect and tolerance among all residents in a free, strong and united Canada, and (3) drawing from the Indian Diaspora phenomenon occurring in the Americas, influence everyone, especially newcomers to Canada and Canadian youth, to recognize fully their inclusion in the Canadian family, integrate boldly into the wider society and commit fully to Canadian values, the national culture and the Canadian way of life.

Reflecting IDNA’s objective to champion and strengthen a Canadian values-based, multi-ethnic society within a free, strong and united Canada, and to answer the question, “What makes a good and loyal citizen?”, IDNA boldly undertakes the following initiatives:

(a) Establish a South Asian Culture & Resource Centre in the National Capital Region to compile historical exhibits underpinning the Indian Diaspora phenomenon of arrival, transition and integration into the wider Canadian society;

(b) Undertake an on-going collection of display-ready Indian Diaspora artifacts and memorabilia, colonial-era and otherwise, comprising books, printed matter, electronic material, vintage tools, household and life-style items, long-ago apparel and apparel accessories, etc;

 (c) Establish a bilingual, digital Diaspora Museum covering an extensive collection of South Asian artifacts, colonial- era and otherwise;

(d) Establish a digital Library of the Diaspora, academic and otherwise, a “Book of Model Canadians”, South Asian and otherwise and an virtual “First Ancestors Registry”;

(e) Pay tribute to the African Diaspora which was the precursor to the rise of the Indian Diaspora in the Americas;

(f) Host an annual “Indian Diaspora Day” cultural gala to showcase a community’s history, rich culture and members' drive to achieve a full and fulfilling life in Canada.

(g) Establish a School Visitation programme to debate the Indian Diaspora phenomenon of arrival, transition and integration on the one hand, and share the story of a people's "Journey West of India" and "Journey to Canadian Values" on the other;

(h) Deliver Seminars and Exhibitions, and off-site promotion events dealing with the Indian Diaspora phenomenon; and

(i) Motivate newcomers to Canada and Canadian youth to overcome obstacles, set and achieve personal and career goals, excel individually and as

fully-committed members of the wider Canadian society, and challenge everyone to act according to  the statement, “Ask not what your Country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your Country!”

About IDNA's main audience, in the last five years ending in 2010, Canada has admitted around 250 thousand new permanent residents on average each year, or roughly 0.8 percent of its population. Immigration brings in more skills and talent to support and grow Canada’s economy, supports family reunification and upholds Canada’s humanitarian tradition by resettling refugees and desperate people in need of protection of life. As well, the youth population of Canada comprising persons aged 10 to 24 years numbered some 6,481.4 thousand persons in 2012, accounting for 18.6 percent of the country's total population.

To reiterate, the achievement of IDNA’s objectives and the making of a lasting, nation-strengthening imprint on everyone in Canada, especially newcomers and Canadian youth, comprise the mandate of and commitment to the Indian Diaspora North America initiative, and IDNA’s Officials will pursue this goal with dedication and passion.

So, why not join us and together continue to build a free, strong and united Canada.

ARRIVAL. TRANSITION. INTEGRATION

INDIAN DIASPORA NORTH AMERICA

Ottawa, Canada