ABSTRACT
Indo-Canadian women, within the broad category of South Asian women, constitute a growing segment of newcomers to Canada as Canadian immigration policies have evolved from exclusion based on source countries to a more equitable one. Intersectionality and transnationalism are central to the understanding of Indo-Canadian women’s lives in Canada. Entering Canada in the economic and family class, these women navigate the challenging settlement process and gain entry into the labour market. Structural impediments such as non-recognition of credentials and discrimination prevent many of these women from achieving their full potential. Caring responsibilities and difficult intra-familial dynamics add more complexity to their lives in Canada. In spite of the temptation, however, to depict Indo-Canadian women as oppressed and vulnerable, it is important to recognize their agency and resilience in navigating the complex realities of their multiple roles with courage, sacrifice, and determination and their significant contributions to Canada’s economic, social, and cultural milieu.
