This hands‑on workshop invites newcomer children and their families to imagine what a truly welcoming neighbourhood in Ottawa looks like. Using simple “mental maps,” children will draw their own neighbourhoods, highlighting the places where they feel safe, included, and happy, as well as spaces that feel difficult or unwelcoming. They will then create a second map of their “ideal” welcoming community, adding the parks, schools, shops, community centres, transit routes, and gathering places they wish existed.

The workshop draws on findings from my PhD thesis, defended in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Ottawa, on how immigrants understand and navigate their neighbourhoods. I aim to share some key points from this work in an accessible way, while creating space for newcomer children to express their own views and experiences. The workshop will be facilitated in English to immigrant and refugee families from all backgrounds. No artistic skills are required: the focus is on ideas, experiences, and conversation.

With participants’ consent, we will document the anonymous maps and main themes to share with local partners working on newcomer inclusion.