What Can I do?

[vicsinad]

It seems like in Canada's census, you have to write in your ethnicity as well:

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2016/ref/questionnaires/questions-eng.cfm

Anyway, it's very likely that the greater-Toronto area has the largest number of Macedonians in the world outside of the Balkans. If not, it definitely has the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Whether or not Melbourne has a few thousand more or less than Toronto is neither here nor there. It is indeed surprising that nushevski77 hasn't run into many other Macedonians in Toronto.

[vicsinad]

There are similar claims for other cities and countries where Macedonians reside. As I stated before, I am positive there are more persons with Macedonian ancestry than recorded in the census', but of those persons who aren't willing to tick a simple box on a form in acknowledgement of their heritage, most of their commitment to the community or the cause is limited, if not absent altogether.

If they care enough to spend so much effort being active in the Macedonian community, why would they fail declare their ancestry on a census form, especially when it contributes to the strengthening of our numerical position in official statistics? Seems like an oxymoron.

To be fair, in the US and Canada censuses (I believe) there's not a "Macedonian" box to check off. You have to write your language/ethnicity in, and there's really no convenient spot to do so.

For example, here's the US census form, and there's no place for ethnicity, to check or write:

http://www.censusquestions.com/2010-us-census-form.pdf

And here's the US ASC survey data for which the most current survey lists a total number of 50,000 Macedonians. It's not until page 8 that they ask what is your ethnicity, and this is not mailed out to everyone, only to random people:

https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/methodology/questionnaires/2018/quest18.pdf

I've never ticked off any box for being Macedonian, or wrote that I'm Macedonian, on any census or survey. Moreover, I can almost guarantee you that the majority of Macedonians (born in Macedonia who have very little command of the English language) see that paper and don't know what they're filling out. Teenagers and 20-something year olds who live with their parents probably leave it up to their dad/mom or head of household, who again, probably doesn't know exactly what they're doing or don't care. Actually, most people here could care less about the census and do the bare minimum just to get the thing completed.

I don't think how one completes a census form necessarily signals anything about anyone's commitment to the Macedonian Cause or their Macedonian community.

But how I'm interpreting your statement is like this:

"You say you do x for the cause and community, but you don't do y, so are you really dedicated to your cause and community?"

Seems ridiculous.

[Soldier of Macedon]

This article cites Gregory Michaelidis' PHD dissertation as claiming the number of Macedonians in Toronto is between 100,000 and 150,000.

There are similar claims for other cities and countries where Macedonians reside. As I stated before, I am positive there are more persons with Macedonian ancestry than recorded in the census', but of those persons who aren't willing to tick a simple box on a form in acknowledgement of their heritage, most of their commitment to the community or the cause is limited, if not absent altogether.

To be be fair, I have cousins in Canada who didn't declare their ancestry as Macedonian and are very active in the community.

If they care enough to spend so much effort being active in the Macedonian community, why would they fail to declare their ancestry on a census form, especially when it contributes to the strengthening of our numerical position in official statistics? Seems like an oxymoron.

Is there anything you can do for the cause if your not Macedonian or have any connections to the country?

Joining this forum is a good step, if not for anything else than to learn about our culture, history and perspectives. Advocate on behalf of Macedonian issues and raise awareness during your interaction with non-Macedonians. Challenge those that have espoused narratives which unfairly denigrate Macedonians. Do this whilst being mindful that your opinion as an 'outsider' may often be perceived as being more objective and less emotional. If you have influence in the area you reside, use it to help initiatives aimed at preserving the dignity and identity of Macedonians. Reach out to Macedonian community groups. If you need assistance with any of this, ask us, I am sure there would be someone here able to point you in the right direction. You can also learn to drink rakija shots, but that isn't always helpful

Also, why the heck is it legal for the Albanians in the Diaspora to fly in and vote, but not Macedonians in the Diaspora

Are you suggesting ethnic Macedonians that are citizens of Macedonia cannot fly into the country and vote during elections?

[vicsinad]

Welcome to the forum. To find Macedonians in Canada, you can check here for a start: http://unitedmacedonians.org

In the more recent census statistics of persons who declared Macedonian ancestry, there are approximately 43,000 in the whole of Canada. There are over double that figure in Australia. In fact, in Victoria alone there are about 30,000 persons who declared Macedonian as their spoken language at home. Most of these people live in Melbourne. No doubt the ancestry figures are higher in both cases but if they didn't bother to declare it then for many of those people their dedication to the cause or involvement in the community is likely to be negligible.

This article cites Gregory Michaelidis' PHD dissertation as claiming the number of Macedonians in Toronto is between 100,000 and 150,000.

http://heritagetoronto.org/the-macedonians-in-toronto/

To be be fair, I have cousins in Canada who didn't declare their ancestry as Macedonian and are very active in the community.

But I don't know the specifics. Macedonians tend to exaggerate our numbers (UMD's 500,000 in the USA claim, for example). Then again, we know censuses and surveys are not accurate, as there are way more than 50,000 Macedonians in the US. (There's at least 30,000 in Michigan alone, based on my research).

[FoxTale]

Is there anything you can do for the cause if your not Macedonian or have any connections to the country?

Also, why the heck is it legal for the Albanians in the Diaspora to fly in and vote, but not Macedonians in the Diaspora

[Statitsa]

Check out "MYNET - Macedonian Youth Network" on Facebook. I believe they are GTA based.

An interview with a couple of members;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CurjyhhhMn8

[Soldier of Macedon]

Also besides my cousins I've only ever met two other Macedonian's in my life besides going to the rally or at Church does anyone know where most of the young Macedonians in Toronto are?

Welcome to the forum. To find Macedonians in Canada, you can check here for a start: http://unitedmacedonians.org

Toronto has the largest Macedonian community outside of Macedonia in the world. I think there is something like a 100,000 in Toronto.

In the more recent census statistics of persons who declared Macedonian ancestry, there are approximately 43,000 in the whole of Canada. There are over double that figure in Australia. In fact, in Victoria alone there are about 30,000 persons who declared Macedonian as their spoken language at home. Most of these people live in Melbourne. No doubt the ancestry figures are higher in both cases but if they didn't bother to declare it then for many of those people their dedication to the cause or involvement in the community is likely to be negligible.

[Risto the Great]

nushevski77, I will be slightly sceptical about your inability to find Macedonians in Toronto. I understand they are quite prevalent. Giving you the benefit of the doubt (given your limited posts to this forum), I will suggest you find Macedonians and discuss the issues of concern to you. Inform yourself of the political issues at hand and question everything. Gauge the responses of these Macedonians in comparison to what is being discussed in places such as here. Determine the depth of their understanding.

If you find like minded people, see if there is a way to demonstrate your thoughts in a collective fashion.

Sadly, I am of the opinion that the Republic of Macedonia is on a crash course to becoming the enemy of Macedonians. And any solution we can offer from the outside will amount to very little for the nation itself. The smart people in Macedonia are geared up for nothing more than personal gain (or irrelevance). A dangerous time.

[Gocka]

Hello, welcome. It's good that you want to be involved. It's pretty difficult to make a meaningful impact from the diaspora. At the end of the day, the decision will be made by people who can vote in Macedonia. The best we can do on our side of the pond is to be good advocates for what is just, and what is not. Reach out to freinds and family, change as many hearts and minds as you can.

For the love god do not give any money to the UMD please! The UMD in short is a sham. Forget the fact that they use a large part of the donations they get to pay themselves salaries and pay for their travels, but they have been totally inconsistent and unreliable when it comes to standing up for what is right. In short the hand full of people that run it are opportunist, who enjoy being relevant, politicians if you will. They go which ever way they think populism is going, or which ever way their largest donors want them to go, as of late that would be pro Bulgarian traitors.

As to where you can find Macedonians in Toronto, shoot that should be easy. Toronto has the largest Macedonian community outside of Macedonia in the world. I think there is something like a 100,000 in Toronto. I'm surprised you haven't run into any by chance.

Im so sorry its come down to a referendum to decide the name of Macedonia this should never be happening in the first place. Im 18 born in Toronto Canada my baba and dedo are from a village near lerin; Ive been to the rally for the name that was held this spring but I don't know what else to do I want to do my part but don't know what that would be I've thought about buying a membership for UMD but I don't think that my money would go to support against the name change. Also besides my cousins I've only ever met two other Macedonian's in my life besides going to the rally or at Church does anyone know where most of the young Macedonians in Toronto are?

[nushevski77]

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