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Brazilians in Ottawa
By: Sueli Marques | Sotaque Brasileiro, # 4, Spring 2004
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The capital of Canada is known for being one of the most well organized and most clean cities of this country. Ottawa was also the place chosen by many Brazilians who started and are starting a new life here. Officially, the Consular Section of the Embassy in Ottawa has 280 records of people who live in its jurisdiction (National Capital Region). However, according to the first secretary, this estimate would be only half of the Brazilian residents. Since the registry is voluntary and many people choose not to do so, there is no way of exactly knowing the number of Brazilians in Ottawa.
What is known is that the Brazilian community in the capital becomes more expressive and participatory every year. Some events, like Christmas celebration party with “Peru com Farofa” (Turkey and Farofa) is part of the calendar. This party, for example, happens in Kanata, on the west side of town where there is a very large concentration of Brazilians. In this same area is also held the traditional June Festival (São João), with the same informal style of the Christmas party, that is, each guest brings a food dish. The difference is that it also welcomes Canadians who wish to participate.
Since Brazilians have many faces and is difficult to be identified immediately a group called Group of Portuguese was created. To participate, simply speak the language and attend the weekly meetings. Oddly enough, the creator of the group, Maryam Bana, is Iranian and learned the language at the time she lived in Toronto. The result is an interesting gathering of people, not necessarily Brazilians, who exchange experiences and have common interests. An excellent opportunity for newcomers to the city, looking to make new friends or for people who want to promote the Portuguese language.
The Brazilians living in the capital also have a website and a list on Yahoo (www.bino.ca), both with the name of BINO (Brazilians in Ottawa), which has served as a conduit for information of interest to Brazilians who are in town.
The community also have their "celebrities", such as the painter Marcio Melo, that divulges our culture through his exhibitions across Canada. Brazilian music is already well represented by the soft voice of singer Regina Teixeira, of the Brazilian Vibes group. We cannot forget the group Samba Ottawa, under the command of Mike, a Canadian, who leads our samba beat into the Canadian culture.
Also increasingly, the Brazilians have been excelling in sports. Topping the list is the Capoeira group “Chapéu de Palha”, which features the work of Professor Fabinho from Recife. When he arrived in Ottawa, Fabinho found a small group that practiced the sport and began to lead the group in an informal way. Today, he works seven days a week nonstop. Another highlight is the brasiliense Bergno Meirelles, from the Ronie Mixed Martial Arts Academy. For over two years he has been teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA and also self defense for women and children.
Soccer has also been well publicized by Sueli Santos, coach of the children's indoor and outdoor soccer teams. Resident of Gatineau, Sueli does a thorough and beautiful job. Recently, she led the team - about 25 children – to Brazil, to meet the stars of our game and to watch some matches. As a result, the motivation of these future stars has increased even more.
But for movie goers who miss the Brazilian productions, the town has a cinema, called By Towne, which is located in downtown Ottawa. Recent new and renown Brazilian films have been shown throughout the year, some being replayed during the summer. In addition, restaurants such as 'Bravo Bravo' also promote national culture. Last September, the restaurant held a Brazilian Week. At the tables, our traditional feijoada, caipirinha, beer, and Brazilian tidbits. The groups Samba Ottawa, Chapéu de Palha and Brazilian Vibes alternated in different presentations during the week.
Some Brazilian pioneers who arrived there some time ago, when you could not count on the support of others, still maintain alive the pride of being Brazilian. This is the case of Mrs. Wanda Woodham, who arrived during the winter of 1947. At the peak of her well lived 89 years, she remains active. With all this energy and friendliness, knowledge and experience overflowing, Mrs. Wanda is part of a group of Brazilian women, which meets every four or five weeks for a variety of subjects. Even after so many years living outside of Brazil, Mrs. Wanda did not lose the essence of her Brazilianess. Surely she is the souvenir of the Brazilian community in Ottawa.
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