How Gazans in Hamilton keep traditions alive while helping people in their homeland

A recent market and fundraiser showcasing Palestinian-owned businesses in Hamilton, including new start-ups by people from Gaza who now call the city home, was met with “incredible” support, organizers say.

Amy Borkwood, one of the organizers, said some of the vendors at the market moved to Hamilton from Gaza in the last two years.

The goal, organizers say, was to show Palestinians in the city, and their families in Palestine, that there are many Hamiltonians who support them and want to hear their stories.

“There's so much support for Palestine, there's so much possibility here, so [we came] up with the idea of a raffle where small businesses across Hamilton could donate an item, a service, and then we would raffle off tickets,” Borkwood told CBC Hamilton.

“We originally had a goal of raising $1,000 per recipient — we had three different recipients that are all in Gaza, one is a school and then two are families — but we ended up raising $10,000 for our three recipients, so well above what we had possibly hoped.”

More than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza health officials said in November. What’s become the deadliest and most destructive war ever between Israel and Hamas, escalated with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, by Israeli figures. A truce has been in place since Oct. 10.

Palestinian artists and business owners, their local mentors, and community members looking to support them, gathered for the market held on Nov. 16.

Here’s a bit more on two of those vendors:

Nedaa Eudaih: Yansoona Bakery

Nedaa Eudaih, 35, moved to Hamilton with her family from the Gaza Strip in September 2014. She started Yansoona Bakery in October, baking what she describes as “a handmade Palestinian ka’ak asawer” — a small, round, date-filled treat that looks like a bracelet. Other ingredients include flour, sesame seeds and olive oil.

“It’s a special part of our heritage. The smell brings back many childhood memories,” Eudaih told CBC Hamilton.

“When we made it, we made it as a family together. Everyone has a different part to do. Some of them they prepare, some of them they bake — all of them participating.”

Noting that she’s “proud” of her background, Eudaih said she disagrees with people who have told her “there is no life in Gaza anymore” in light of what's been happening there in recent times.

“Some of them, they said to me, ‘are you planning to go back to Gaza?’ I said absolutely I'm going back, I will not be giving up on my country or my background. We belong to this country, we belong to this city,” she said.

By starting her ka’ak business, Eudaih said this was her way to help keep “our tradition” alive.

It's also “to show other cultures. This is our tradition, this is what we make… ka’ak is about working as a team, loving each other, hope, peace — everything.”

Eudaih said she’s currently baking out of her home but said she’s looking for a place to open a shop.

Hanadi Bader: Artist

Hanadi Bader, 50, moved to Hamilton 15 years ago. An artist, she studied fine arts and worked as a fine arts teacher before coming to Canada.

Not long after Bader arrived in Canada, she was diagnosed with a rare disease that caused “constant fatigue along with many other symptoms.” She said these challenges affected her daily life and made it difficult for her to continue a normal routine.

“Despite this, art has remained my source of healing and strength. I create hand-painted mugs, small acrylic paintings, and stone art. My stone art, in particular, has been very well received, and many people are drawn to these pieces,” Bader told CBC Hamilton.

Bader said participating in local markets and community events, like the one in November, helps in many ways.

“Connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds is especially meaningful to me, as I came to Canada with my family while the rest of my family remains back home. These interactions help me feel connected, supported, and motivated to continue creating and sharing my art,” she said.

Response ‘very positive and encouraging’

“The response from the community has been very positive and encouraging,”  Bader said about the November market.

“Many people were especially drawn to my stone art and expressed genuine interest and appreciation for the creativity, detail, and care in each piece. I received thoughtful feedback, had meaningful conversations, and was approached for several custom commissions.”

Bader does not have a shop, but says she continues to work and promote her art through “these small markets.” She said people can see more of her artwork on Instagram at @hanadis.art.

Support ‘from all over the city’

Borkwood said there were eight vendors in total at the market, and they were all grateful for the support from the Hamilton community.

“The raffle and the market brought out every type of person you could imagine, and we found support coming from all over the city,” Borkwood said.

“It wasn't one community or another community — it was everybody. So, we did have people who are part of Palestinian justice work in the city, but we also had small business owners who were talking to their customers, we had them buying tickets, we had everyone that you could imagine at the market itself, we had a lineup down the street and could hardly even get everyone to come and visit the market.

“It was everyone you could imagine, you know, so I think that was something that was really beautiful to see,” added Borkwood.

According to Borkwood, the event met its goal to go beyond being just a fundraising idea, to building long term support not just people who are in Gaza, but Gazans who have newly arrived in Canada.