SHKUMBIN PLLANA: CANADA’S HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS FUEL HIS COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Today, Shkumbin Pllana is a proud father to two boys and husband to “an amazing wife that I met here in Edmonton. This is an example of the beauty of Canada and what multiculturalism truly" he says. Before finding peace and love in Canada he was fleeing fleeing a deadly war by Serbia where ethnic tensions between Albanians and Serbians erupted in Kosovo just over 25 years ago.

“The emotional toll that it had on our family, witnessing the devastation of war firsthand was a harrowing experience that has left a lasting impact on us. The war robbed us of our sense of security and stability, but it also taught us the importance of unity and strength in the face of adversity” says Pllana.

Pllana and his family were among the more than 5,000 refugees airlifted by Canada’s Royal Air Force in one of the ‘Operation Parasol’ flights, a mission that was offered to resettle refugees to ease Macedonia's refugee crisis amid the Kosovo war. Landing first at CFB Fredericton, they later settled in Edmonton. “My entire immediate family immigrated to Canada—my parents, three sisters, aunt, and uncle,” Pllana says. He describes the war’s toll, scattering families across the globe and stripping them of a place to call home. Yet, his earliest memories of Canada shine bright: “We were welcomed with such love and warm hearts by Canada, and that is something we will never forget.” he says.

However, the new beginning in Canada wasn’t embarked without challenges. “The new life in Canada was a tough journey for my family, marked by both opportunities and challenges. The welcoming nature of Canadians and the support systems in place made the transition smoother. We had many family sponsors that we have come to call family who showed us what daily life was in Canada.” says Pllana. Kosovo refugees were matched with sponsorship groups to help them transition from the military base into daily life, Like Pllana many former refugees and sponsor call the experience “life changing” and who developed a lifelong relationship with the refugee families to this day.

Pllana shares some of their challenges “Adapting to a new culture, climate, and way of life required patience and perseverance. Language barriers and cultural differences further added to the complexity of settling in a new country.”

PLLANA: "WE WERE WELCOMED WITH SUCH LOVE AND OPEN HEARTS BY CANADA"

For many Kosovo refugees, adapting to a new life while their children integrated quickly forging a new blended identity was a profound challenge many refugee families continue to face today. They held on fiercely to this identity—a response that feels entirely natural for those who have fled the brutality of ethnic cleansing “The biggest barrier that I have seen is the language and cultural barriers. The reason is that adjusting to a new language and culture is difficult, especially for the older generation. It is a daunting task trying to rebuild a life in a completely different part of the world, while not being able to understand the language, which in turn hinders their ability to find employment, access services and integrate into their new communities.” says Pllana.

Shkumbim Pllana, who served as President of the Albanian Canadian Society of Edmonton from 2019 to 2023, reflects on the challenges of cultural misunderstandings and miscommunications. “A few of the challenges have been cultural misunderstandings or miscommunications. Differences in language, customs, and social norms can create barriers to effective communication and interpersonal relationships,” he explains. “These misunderstandings can lead to feelings of frustration, confusion, and even conflict within personal and professional interactions.”

Yet, he recalls his time leading the society as deeply rewarding. “Being able to volunteer for our community was one of the best and most fulfilling times in my life,” Pllana says, “seeing the new generation growing up in Canada while trying to preserve our culture.” His commitment to community leadership is fueled by the warmth and support he and his family received when they first arrived in Canada as refugees. Like many others, Pllana overcame the traumas of war and embraced a new identity as an Albanian-Canadian.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce and is a Project Manager for the City of Edmonton “I help to deliver infrastructure projects that are crucial to the daily lives of Edmontonians. There has consistently been a strong desire to assist and safeguard the City of Edmonton, which provided support to me and my family just a few years prior. This commitment has served as the driving force behind my work in this remarkable community.”

KOSOVO REFUGEES: 25 YEARS-ON

Besides holding his two boys and admiring his wife and his new life, his favorite moment in Canada; his response makes Canada’s efforts worth it “The best memory that I recall is waking up the morning we arrived in Edmonton with my parents and sisters as we walked outside with a sense of peace and a new life ahead.” says Pllana.