You must be the change you want to see – Mahatma Gandhi.
For some women of color who are migrants to a new culture, the journey of discovering and embracing a culture with values and modus operandi vastly different from what you are used to can be quite daunting. Minal Swift, a woman of color of Asian descent, migrated to Canada about 11 years ago. She gradually adapted to life in Canada and was open-minded about finding love in her new environment. She met her prince charming, and they got married some years later. In this article, Minal shares how they have been able to scale the hurdles of race, prevailing mindsets and societal expectations to blend two beautiful cultures and leverage this potpourri of cultures into something beautiful for their marriage. Read her full story here:
My name is Minal Swift, and I am a first-generation Indian Canadian. I have lived in Canada for 11 years. I schooled here, and now I own a small business. Migrating to Canada was quite challenging, but I am glad I took the step of faith because I was rewarded with a strong network of people and mentors who guided me along the way. Their unwavering support and invaluable advice helped me navigate life in Canada, and they also helped me build a wonderful life here.
In time, I connected with the right mentors and volunteered for laudable causes with organisations that align with my values. I expanded my network, built rewarding relationships, and started my food business, the most incredible adventure of my life. I began this business by revisiting my bucket list; one of the items on that list is one day being featured on Food Network Canada. So, from here, I began reinventing traditional recipes from my childhood, which were handed down to me by my grandmother and mother, and this led to the start of my food business.
Today, I own and operate a company where I bring traditional recipes from my childhood to life, and I cater at events and weddings.
In addition to running my business, I honed my skills as a communications specialist by developing myself as a Toastmaster. I also serve as a board member with Prude, which has been incredibly rewarding.
One pivotal aspect of my journey in Canada was meeting and marrying my husband. Our story is a Happy COVID love story. I was living in Newfoundland when the pandemic struck, after which I packed up and moved here. My husband Rogan and I met through a dating site, we quickly became friends, and a year later, we got married in a small, intimate ceremony at our church -Evangel Assembly, surrounded by our parents and dear Pastor, despite all the COVID chaos. From our first date, we clearly wanted to be together—it was truly magical.
We both come from large families and cherish our close bonds with our parents and siblings. Our cultures are important to us, and we embrace them with grace and humility. We attend church on weekends and celebrate traditions festivals like dancing garba during the Navratri Festival, playing with Holi colors, and observing the Daniel Fast. Blending our mixed heritage into our lives has been a process of understanding, respect, and compromise. We’ve learned to appreciate each other’s traditions and incorporate them into our family, creating incredible memories. I love cooking and have been fortunate to inherit a few cherished recipes from Rogan’s maternal grandmother. Like any relationship, ours has required effort and understanding. It hasn’t always been easy, but with the love and support of our families, we’ve built a strong, loving partnership. We prioritize each other above race and culture. We’ve embraced one another for who we truly are, and our lives are filled with love, laughter, and supportive people who uplift us. Our journey is a testament to the joy and fulfilment that comes from blending cultures in a marriage.
Looking back, I am thankful for all my experiences in Canada. I don’t regret any events that have shaped my life so far. In the future, I plan to pursue a Culinary Degree to further perfect and elevate some of my family recipes.
I advise women of colour who have migrated to new cultures to embrace change and be flexible enough to adapt quickly. We should not be afraid to try new things and face our fears head-on. Though this is easier said than done, once we overcome our fears, we can look within and discover our unique talents, which we keep pushing until we reach our full potential. Remember, change is not a threat, but an opportunity for growth. It is the key to unlocking our full potential and living a fulfilling life.
As women of color who have migrated to new cultures, we should not be afraid to be the first to sit on boards and engage in complex and easy conversations. We should be bold to speak up and speak out when needed and embrace and showcase the principles of inclusion in our lives and experiences.
