Most of them have come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and some have transited through refugee camps in Uganda and Tanzania. They arrived in Quebec in the early 2000s and settled in Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships region. Unable to find work there, many of these French-speaking families have since left the province to move out West. Over time, a migration corridor has been carved out between Sherbrooke and the town of Brooks, Alberta, where a pan-Canadian welcome network has been created to facilitate the integration of newcomers. From Sherbrooke to Brooks is the story of this corridor travelled by many French-speaking Africans in search of a better life.

Interlacing personal stories amid several back-and-forth trips between these two locations, this documentary lays bare the challenges many French-speaking African refugees face. It also shows the remarkable resilience of these exiles, trapped between the fragility of their dreams and the harsh constraints of reality. At a time when the news is dominated by images of refugees fleeing war and poverty, From Sherbrooke to Brooks takes stock of the work that’s yet to be done to successfully integrate those who will be contributing to tomorrow’s world.

Most of them have come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and some have transited through refugee camps in Uganda and Tanzania. They arrived in Quebec in the early 2000s and settled in Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships region. Unable to find work there, many of these French-speaking families have since left the province to move out West. Over time, a migration corridor has been carved out between Sherbrooke and the town of Brooks, Alberta, where a pan-Canadian welcome network has been created to facilitate the integration of newcomers. From Sherbrooke to Brooks is the story of this corridor travelled by many French-speaking Africans in search of a better life.

Interlacing personal stories amid several back-and-forth trips between these two locations, the documentary lays bare the challenges many French-speaking African refugees face. It also shows the remarkable resilience that shapes their lives. Though they appreciate the quality of life Quebec has to offer, work is scarce and discrimination can be a problem. In Alberta, the economy is faring much better and businesses are looking for workers. At Brooks’ mega slaughterhouse, which exports meat across the county and abroad, jobs can be had literally overnight. Brooks is also home to more than 80 different cultural communities, and the town is doing everything it can to retain its often transient and unstable workforce. In the last decade, the town has created community services and even hired an agent to serve as a liaison with its many communities. With a discerning eye for small yet revealing details, From Sherbrooke to Brooks highlights the sense of social solidarity that exists in this town, which has put its faith in the contributions of immigrants to help secure its future.

Désiré is originally from Congo, where he worked with human rights organizations. For a while, he found a new “homeland” in Quebec where he was able to heal his wounds. Unable to find gainful employment, Désiré left Sherbrooke in 2004 and now lives in Brooks. There, he has a good paying job and a much-needed anchor point. He’s also able to put his strong sense of community and helping one another to good use—particularly through the Brooks’ Francophone Association, where he works to build bridges with the host English-speaking community. Désiré has since become a guide of sorts for newcomers struggling to find their bearings. Buoyed by the social and cultural transformation that has taken place in Brooks, Désiré returns to Quebec, where a part of his heart still remains, to see how his African compatriots are faring.

Angela lived through some very dark times in Congo. She, too, regretfully had to leave Quebec to find work. Though she was quickly hired at the Brooks meat plant and did everything she could to adapt to the new English-speaking environment, her job and stressful living conditions left her seriously ill. Angela eventually returned to Sherbrooke in the hopes of finally breaking into the labour market.

Some of the other families who came to Brooks have remained. It’s now their children, like Estela, who are making their mark. These young people are proud of their ability to speak Swahili in addition to both French and English. They are living proof of what successful social integration looks like.

Still others never left Quebec. Despite the appealing opportunities in Alberta, they are reticent about picking up and starting anew all over again. Like Marie-Claude, who, after all these years no longer believes in the American dream. She has instead decided to resume her studies in hotel management and works during the summer in farmers’ fields, all while nurturing a writing career. Marie-Claude has become attached to Quebec and would rather build on her frail foundation like many others around her. But the same challenges remain. To be accepted, immigrants must constantly prove themselves and their ability to adapt— when they’re not rejected outright as a foreigner due to their accent or the colour of their skin.

Deftly weaving these individual stories with musical sequences evocative of their native continent, From Sherbrooke to Brooks travels the mental divide between “our land” versus “foreign land,” “us” versus “them.” It shares the meaningful accounts of refugees who are grateful to their host country but are now trapped between the fragility of their dreams and the harsh constraints of reality. In their eyes, Canada is a democratic and multicultural country that’s held in high regard across the globe. Improving this already enviable reputation would not take much… just a labour market that’s truly open to everyone and better policies to make living together easier. With its realistic look at the challenges that hinder successful integration, the film aspires to a harmonious society in which there is shared prosperity for all. At a time when the news is dominated by images of refugees fleeing war and poverty, From Sherbrooke to Brooks takes stock of the work that’s yet to be done to successfully welcome and integrate those who will be contributing to tomorrow’s world.