New Canadian citizens looking forward to getting a passport, opportunity to vote

The Canadian family became 13 citizens richer on Tuesday. During an afternoon citizenship oath ceremony at the Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion, the nation adopted 13 local residents into its fold. Under the authority of Judge Harold Gilleshammer, new Canadian citizens from countries such as India, Argentina and the United States pledged allegiance to the Queen of Canada and the nation's laws. Kwo Okot was one of those new citizens. The 21-year-old came to Canada from Sudan in 2004. He had family in the Moose Jaw area and decided to relocate here in hopes of attaining a better education. Although already possessing a command of the English language before moving, Okot told the Times-Herald arriving in Canada still came as a bit of a shock. "It was cold. It was February, which is not a good month," he said. He's glad to finally attain citizenship, which will allow him to apply for a passport and travel outside the country. Okot graduated from high school this year and hopes to attend university (possibly in Saskatoon) starting this winter. Aldana Kerbs moved to Canada from Argentina in 2001 at age six and learned to speak English in kindergarten. At age 14, the Moose Javian didn't have an accent as she recited the oath of citizenship on Tuesday. "I feel a little different," she said about becoming Canadian. "It feels good. It's finally over." Local teacher Nameen Ramadan, 27, said she felt a bit different after Tuesday's ceremony. "Maybe I do feel more included in the family. . . And a big thing is I have the right to vote." While conducting the ceremony, Gilleshammer said a citizenship ceremony isn't just an important milestone for those taking the oath, it's also an important day for everyone else in the country. "For those who are already Canadian, today represents an expansion of our Canadian family." Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.