Saamis Immigration Services Association (SISA) is a government-funded non-profit organization which has been assisting in the integration, adjustment and resettlement of immigrants and refugees in the community of Medicine Hat since its opening in 1988.  We are proud to provide a support system which fosters individual and family needs in an environment of equality and dignity. We provide full-time language instruction classes, settlement services, and support workers in the school system for our newcomer families.In addition, we have many worthwhile volunteer opportunities and programming, and we are happy to organize and host inclusion and educational events for newcomers as well as the larger community. We have currently three Settlement Workers in Schools that act as liaisons between the schools and newcomer families, and assist all parties with cultural awareness (from both sides), expectations, and focus on giving the students the tools needed to be successful in their new school and community.

SWIS assists newcomers with:

• Understanding school policy and procedure
• School registration and orientation
• School transportation scheduling
• Communicating with educators
• Parent-teacher interviews•
• Accessing school and community resources and services
• Provision of interpreter/translator when required

SWIS provide schools with:

• Cultural orientation and sensitivity training
• Links to cross-cultural information
• Small group workshops on specific cultural issues
• Cultural interpretation
• Consultation on school settlement issues