Paper short abstract:

Anthropological knowledge offers a unique way of thinking about and responding to health and well-being as experienced by newcomers in their host society. In this paper we explore ways of working in partnership with the city to repurpose assets to support of improved newcomer health and well-being.

Paper long abstract:

Mass migration (voluntary or forced) challenges held identities and can often provoke the adoption of reactive positions towards otherness. Working in partnership across multiple disciplines and sectors we are faced with the

challenge of how to engage multiple groups and individuals in dialogue that responds positively to these

challenges, especially as they impact health and well-being in the everyday.

The Canadian government has set out its plan to increase its intake of migrants over the next three years with the intention of settling over 1 million people by the year 2021. This is an exciting and positive response and in contrast to the goals of its nearest neighbour the USA which has significantly reduced its numbers, however, this not without internal challenges.

In this paper, we will speak to our most recent research exploring newcomer emotional wellness and integration into the Canadian west. We will focus on the way that anthropological knowledge offers a unique way of thinking about and responding to health and well-being as experienced by newcomers in their host society. Here we explore ways of working in partnership with the city to repurpose assets to support of improved newcomer health and well-being.