While this object is a religious icon, faith is not important in its story of migration, but rather the cultural context. My grandparents are Greek, but they lived in Turkey. Due to an uprising in violent crimes against Greek people in 1950s Turkey, my grandparents fled to Canada for safety. Eventually, in Canada, my grandparents had my mother. Once my mother was old enough, she went and visited Greece, specifically the areas where her family was from. She did not visit Turkey because her safety was not guaranteed. While in Greece, my mother picked up this wooden icon that depicts Saint Mary and Jesus. My mother brought it back to Canada with her as a token of her Greek heritage. About a decade later, my mother met my father and ended up moving to the United States. The wooden icon was one of the objects she brought with her to the States. Fast forward another decade later and my parents gave birth to me, and I inherited the wooden icon. Ever since I was a newborn, this icon has always remained in my room. I eventually moved to Canada by myself for college. This icon came with me and has remained in every room I have lived in since. To me, this object represents a connection to my Greek heritage and a reminder of what my grandparents had to go through. Specifically, the persecution of Greek identities and religions that they went through. This way, future generations would not have to go through the same. I’m reminded of my privilege of living in countries where I’m safer.

– Steven

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant