{"id":4764,"date":"2020-06-10T22:39:04","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T01:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bambisafkar.ca\/?p=4764"},"modified":"2020-06-11T01:21:08","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T04:21:08","slug":"o-canada-ms-diana-akilian-took-the-oath-of-citizenship-virtually-a-first-in-canadian-history-bravo-for-officially-becoming-a-canadian-citizen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bambisafkar.ca\/index.php\/2020\/06\/10\/o-canada-ms-diana-akilian-took-the-oath-of-citizenship-virtually-a-first-in-canadian-history-bravo-for-officially-becoming-a-canadian-citizen\/","title":{"rendered":"O Canada: Ms. Diana Akilian took the oath of citizenship virtually, a first in Canadian history. Bravo for officially becoming a Canadian citizen!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Canadian federal government implemented virtual\nceremonies for those whose ceremonies have been postponed due to the covid-19\npandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, thanks to our government (and to technology in\nlife ?), Ms. Diana Akilian, an inspiring\nentrepreneur (garage owner AND car dealer) residing in Amherst, Nova Scotia\n(NS), was among the happy new Canadians! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being a businesswoman and an alumnus who speaks several languages (e.g., English, Armenian, Arabic\u2026 and even Turkish), she is currently completing a Mount Allison University’s business degree in Sackville, New Brunswick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diana is a good friend of Bambi and her spouse. Like all\nher friends, especially those from the Lebanese diaspora of the Maritimes, they\nare thrilled for her!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually, Bambi\u2019s spouse made plans to attend her\nceremony, which was supposed to take place in Halifax (NS) on March 18, 2020. Thanks\nto his good friend, Mr. Internet, he can share Diana\u2019s joy and pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cMabrouk\u201d Diana (this means \u201cCongrats\u201d, \u201cF\u00e9licitations\u201d in Arabic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u0544\u0561\u0562\u0580\u0578\u0582\u0584\u201d! Hoping the latter means the same in Armenian and not a bad word found online ?.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Canadians who are immigrants (basically everyone at\ndifferent times throughout history!), taking the oath is a VERY moving moment\nin an immigration journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Bambi took her own oath of citizenship, the older\ntext was as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear\ntrue allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her\nHeirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada,\nand fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yesterday, Diana recited the following text:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear\ntrue allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her\nHeirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, <\/em>including\nthe Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights\nof First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis peoples<\/em><\/strong>, and fulfil my\nduties as a Canadian citizen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Oath of Citizenship is usually recited at a\ncitizenship ceremony. The latter is the final legal step to becoming a Canadian\ncitizen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/immigration-refugees-citizenship\/news\/2019\/05\/the-oath-of-citizenship.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each newcomer is unique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each story is different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each experience is uniquely lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Diana Akilian is also a uniquely talented citizen\u2026 now legally a Canadian citizen, enriching our economy and social fabric with her skills, great values, and personality. As she is humble despite her skills, she may be perhaps blushing now whilst reading Bambi\u2019s words ?. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, taking the oath virtually is surely a NEW\nexperience that Bambi has never imagined to hear about during her 30 years in\nCanada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a virtual ceremony yet it is CONCRETE. It is\nlegal. It is final\u2026 even if it is lacking family\/friends\u2019 physical (or virtual)\npresence and camera flashes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To eternize this great moment, Bambi has asked her\nfriend if she accepts to be interviewed for this post and to share pictures.\nGuess what? We are lucky because Ms. Diana Akilian generously accepted to share\nwith us her feelings and experience just a few moments following her virtual\noath ceremony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Ms. Kate Walker from CTV News <\/em>interviewed\nher and shared Ms. Diana Akilian\u2019s happy story with all of us on TV this\nevening. Wow! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a video link, followed by Diana\u2019s own words, as answers to Bambi\u2019s questions, and by pictures of this memorable day! \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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