Re: Brit in Regina
 

yes i suppose so, i managed for 6 months, lead to good things in the end, don't care to go back though. One thing I've learned about life is that it;s as much about where you are in your life than where you are.... an unhappy marriage is equally unhappy where ever you may be......

Re: Brit in Regina
 

In truth there's not too much wrong with Regina.We came here 4 years ago,had intended to move to Perth,Ont,but the immigration process was faster into Saskatchewan.We live in a valley about 20 mins North of the city,it gives us the best of both worlds,country living with all the amenities just along the highway as and when they're required.At first we rented a house in the suburbs,very quiet,almost too quiet infact.All towns and cities here have problems of various sorts,be it first nation or otherwise so don't be put off by other peoples moaning.Through my work I've traveled all over Canada and I find the Prairie folk to be the friendliest,maybe it's because of the harsh winters or whatever,you'll always have a warm welcome here.
Would we move? Absolutely not a chance !!!

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Thats what I was waiting for, I have lived in some rough areas so am not deterred by the negatives coming through in this thread (although it is important to get these opinions and facts) I hoped that people on here would say it is a welcoming place and immigrants shouldn't have any problems settling there. I am pleased you have taken the time to post, thank you all.
:)

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Yes, yes, but what we want to know is, were you shagging Marcia Williams?

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Do agree with the people, mind you I have 3 of the buggers in here at the minute so would have to say that. Plus I'm engaged to one! There are some interesting spots close to the city such as the q'palle valley (no idea how to spell it). But the city itself is not up to much, bit like stoke on trent, stuck the middle of nowhere.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Saskatchewan is a relatively new province,just over 100 years old,so most people are from immigrant families,not being a Canadian(yet) has never been an issue.
The Prairies are not everyones cup of tea,but they're what you make of them.Living out here is a bit like stepping back in time by 20/30 years,a lot more relaxed ,this too can be frustrating at times but generally people have a lot more time for each other.
The climate is extreme,-40 to +40,but you get used to it and life goes on just the same.Today it's snowing hard,had intended to go last minute shopping in Regina,decided to stay home instead,if we haven't got everything we will manage without.The elderly couple next door have cancelled their trip to relatives for xmas because of the state of the roads,so they'll be coming over to us,friends also battling their way through the snow in Montana en route,should have a house full by tomorrow.
A white and "wet" xmas,fantastic !!

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Wearing my pedant hat here,

1) Most Canadians (Including Acadians and Metis) are from Immigrant Families/Stock
2) The age of the province is irrelevant to the length of time it has been settled.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

15687 posts !!! More to life in Canada then sitting in front of a computer.

o.k,the "settlers" have a recent connection to immigration,so we're all one and the same.Is that better? Haven't got enough time/energy for this uncostructive rubbish.See ya.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Not been to Regina but we're new to SK living just north of Saskatoon the folks here are some of the friendliest and most helpful any where in the world people seem to genuinly want you to succeed and will go out of thei way to help you, yes winter is cold but wear clothes designed for it and it's not as bad as a cold damp day in england and a damn sight prettier than a damp day in the UK. Good Luck with the move if Regina doesnt work out try Saskatoon wehave the strongest economy in Canada at the moment and plenty to do too.:thumbsup:

Re: Brit in Regina
 

Just splitting hairs, but the Metis are recognized as one of Canada's three Aboriginal peoples. Yes, they obviously have European ancestry, but I wouldn't consider them as having an immigrant background in the same regard as the European settlers...especially in light of their culture and history...During the 1800s and even into the early 20th century, they were generally not accepted into the non-Aboriginal (Euro-Canadian) community and faced a lot of discrimination and racism. Yes, some European immigrants did face these issues as well, but I believe the intolerance experienced by Eastern European/southern European settlers was of a different variety than that directed at "half breeds" (as they were called even by the government back then).

Their European heritage helped to define who they were, ancestry-wise and culturally and linguistically, but it didn't ensure that they shared a similar experience as other "immigrants." I know many Metis who still speak Cree or Michif and practice many of the same traditions as their First Nations relatives.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

I lived in Sask for 4 months doing university research (about 1 hour from Regina). I also have lots of relatives there and have visited so often I knew every sign post on hwy 11.

And while I do love Regina just because my relatives live there, I have to admit that Saskatoon seems to be a "nicer" city in terms of the local geography (the river valley), amenities, etc. To me, Saskatoon feels like a city but Regina has kept the large "small town" aura about it.

Yes, the people are down to earth, honest (for the most part), and unpretentious. Yes, it can be miserable in January when the wind blows across the prairie and it's -40 or in July/August when you've melted...and most Canadian homes don't have a/c...not seen as necessary for the one month of the year the temp actually gets above 30C.

My experience there has been that people always tended to go out of their way to help me...whether it was helping me find a place to live during my fieldwork or providing assistance with my research (the old community telegraph..."Hey, I told Betty who told Mary about your project and they think you should talk to Bill so go to Joe's house tomorrow and he'll go with you to find Bill"). And yes, the pace of life seems slower there. People always seem to have time for a coffee and chat. That appeals to some folks. Others aren't so keen to live in the slow lane.

And as dboy mentioned, the Qu'Appelle Valley is lovely.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

My ex wife was of Metis decent - from the red river colony - I seem to remember something about her not being granted status though? - she fleeced me in our divorce, perhaps that's the modern day equivalent of a scalping.

Re: Brit in Regina
 

I'm also Metis of Red River descent...I have copies of my ancestor's scrip records and a MNA card (for what it's worth) *wink*

You're correct that we cannot be granted status. Metis do not fall under federal jurisdiction (ie. not considered "Indians" in the eyes of the Canadian government and thus do not have access to the same benefits and programs). I know this is a common misperception..."Oh, Metis must have it good with all that free ____________." I paid my way through university while my friends who were status Indians had their degrees paid for by their band (thus government). But then this self reliance is nothing new to the Metis if you look at the history.

Also, since bill C-31 back in 1985, no status Indian can gain or lose status through marriage etc.

Anyway, can't comment on the divorce thing...those things are tough at the best of times. The scalping joke is kinda lame though. Sorry. :p :p

Re: Brit in Regina
 

yes, i remember something along that lines with my ex. She was trying to get some sort of schooling and found out she couldn't. My ex brother-in-law was a full blood Ojibwa - great when we had big purchases - off to Park Royal we did go.

Yes the scalping joke was lame and rather insensitive - i wouldn't have posted that had i known you were Metis.:ohmy:

Re: Brit in Regina
 

No worries. Not like I had a Red River sash for an avatar...;);)

Yeah, there's no funding for most types of schooling unless it's some Metis Nation specific training...like "how to use computers" or "basic business skills" etc. These are usually agreements with the provincial government...

At least I didn't have to worry though if I'd get to finish my studies. My status friends (my best uni buddy was a Mikmaq from NS) usually had their cases reviewed year to year and when the band didn't have adequate funds to pay for all their students who were enrolled, some inevitably lost their support for that year and had to quit school. There wasn't a guarantee that just because you started a band-funded degree that you'd be able to finish it.