'We Still Have Hope,' 2020. Acrylics on wood. 8 ft. x 8 ft. Innovation Works, London, Ontario.
“Can I make this land my home?”
Syrian youth reflected on displacement, belonging, and the meaning of home while rebuilding their lives in Canada—grounded in an awareness of the land’s Indigenous history.
More than 14 million Syrians have been displaced by the civil war, with over 7.2 million internally displaced and 5 million seeking refuge in other countries.
In this context, 25 Syrian youth who resettled in Canada came together to co-create a 12-panel mural. Each panel traces a shared journey of displacement, resilience, and belonging. The process combined storytelling, theatre, visual arts, and food sharing—creating space to explore personal migration stories and the evolving meaning of home.
The mural also opens dialogue around broader community dynamics, including moments of tension shaped by media narratives. Participants reflected on the complexity of settling on Indigenous land and the contrasting experiences of displacement.
The final panel, showing two youth standing on a turtle, invites viewers to consider land, identity, and connection. The mural is currently hosted by MRCSSI and available for touring in London.
Social Artist Lead & Facilitator: Melanie Schambach
Project Director: Yasmin Hussain
Funder & Partner Organization: Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Inclusion
