Saskatchewan

Communities: Saskatoon

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AN AGING COMMUNITY WHOSE SURVIVAL RELIES ON THE INTEREST OF ITS YOUNGER GENERATION

Saskatchewan’s Population: 1,180,000

STATISTICS FOR THE PORTUGUESE IN SASKATCHEWAN:

AS MOTHER
TONGUE		AS MOST
SPOKEN		KNOWLEDGE OF
THE LANGUAGE		BORN IN
PORTUGAL		AS ETHNIC
ORIGIN
615
0.05% of population		220
0.02% of population		885
0.07% of population		220
0.02% of population		1,885
0.2% of population
Source: Statistics Canada

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Saskatchewan lies in between Manitoba and Alberta as part of the Canadian Prairies. Although not a popular destination for immigrants (94% of the total population is a Canadian citizen while only 5.5% are recent immigrants), a relatively small number of Portuguese chose this province as a place to work and to live. In total, there are nearly 2,000 residents of Saskatchewan who consider Portuguese their ethnic origin, of whom just over 200 were born in Portugal.

Saskatoon is, by far, the city with the largest Luso-Canadian population in the province with around 1,000 residents who consider Portuguese their ethnic origin. In this city, the Portuguese were able to mobilize and found the Portuguese Canadian Association of Saskatoon as well as a religious group that celebrates Our Lady of Fatima twice a year. Most of the community members originate from the archipelago of the Azores and a large majority is related to each other.

Regina also harbours a small Portuguese community. According to the 2016 Census, there are 120 residents who consider Portuguese their mother tongue and 70 who speak the language at home. In total, there are 345 residents here who declare Portuguese as their ethnic origin, of whom 25 were born in Portugal.

The few remaining who do not reside in either Saskatoon or Regina, are scattered across the province and have probably fully integrated.

Saskatchewan is known for its long stretches of flat land (photo credit: Murry Foubister https://www.flickr.com/photos/mfoubister/28709461132/)

Although Saskatoon boasts a Portuguese community association and a healthy religious movement, there are serious challenges in relation to the preservation of our heritage in the city. The older generation, who is more engaged in the association’s events and anything Portuguese, is rapidly aging and dwindling in numbers. The youth, although heavily influenced by parents who intend to maintain the heritage passed on by the pioneers, are easily integrating into the general society and, naturally, not as excited about their origins.

Regardless of future developments, our presence in Saskatchewan will continue to live on for many years to come. The question, however, remains: for how many more?

References: Statistics Canada
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