My Grandmother's Watch

My Grandmother's Watch

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The influence of where we live on our economic opportunities

My Grandma's Immigration Opportunities

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1960s Canada-United States Immigration

My grandma migrated to the United States during a period of time where there was an increased rate of immigration to the United States from Canada due to many factors. Increased economic opportunities was a major factor that incentivized people to immigrate to the United States. According to the Canadian Government's September 1990 report on Immigration between the United States and Canada, between 1960 and 1964 there were 244,033 people that immigrated from Canada to the United States.

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The place we live has a large impact on us. Not only do factors such as cost of living vary between different locations, but the economic opportunity we experience differs based on the location that we live. Intergenerational economic mobility is strongly correlated to where someone grows up (Katharine Bradbury and Robert K. Triest). Immigration can greatly help those who financially struggle by moving them to an area with much more economic opportunity than where they currently live. Immigrants can see a 25% salary increase when moving to the US (Robert Lynch, Patrick Oakford). This happened to my grandmother; she had much more opportunities to find jobs working as a secretary in the United States than she did in Canada.

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Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

Navajo Nation

Intergenerational Benefits

Education

The Navajo Nation lacks jobs. Only 37% of people are employed (Julie Larrañaga)

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Immigration to more economically advantages places improves educational access for immigrants.

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The benefits of immigration don't only impact the immigrant, but also their children

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Geographic Educational Opportunities

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Geographic Educational Opportunities

Navajo Nation

Northern Utah

Access to education is very limited on the Navajo Nation. There are very few jobs especially those that require a degree, so there are very few role models for youth to see the benefits that an education can bring. The area a person lives in can greatly limit their access to educational opportunities. I met many people who had far below a high school education who struggled to find any work.

My grandmother had more educational opportunities as a result of moving to the United States. All her children were able to gain some college education. Her ability to move the United States helped her to further develop in her educational and professional opportunities.

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Location Impacts Opportunity

The Takeaway

My grandmother's watch is a reminder to me that her choices and opportunities have impacted me. Her choice to move to the United States has left a lifelong impact on me and on future generations. We each should acknowledge that the opportunities we experience are a result of many people who have gone on before us. Graditude and humility for what we have are important, because we have not achieved We must also recognize that other people face limitations in theier opportunities due to where they live. People in areas that have less economic and educational opportunities deserve compassion through their unique circumstances, becuase the very place they live impacts their access to those things.

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Works Cited

Johnson, Craig. “Navajo Nation Watch.” Johnson, Craig. “Grandma’s Watch.” Johnson, Nathan. "Navajo Landscape." Migration of Canadians to U.S.A.: The Causes* - Samuel - 1969 - International Migration - Wiley Online Library, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1468-2435.1969.tb01063.x. Accessed 12 Sept. 2025. “The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants - Center for American Progress,” www.americanprogress.org/article/the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2025. “The Opportunity Atlas.” The Opportunity Atlas, www.opportunityatlas.org/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2025.

My grandmother

My grandmother has many incredible traits, but she is someone who works very hard and is determined to serve those around her. She wore this watch for 40 years, and it is a reminder of the triumph and benefits that can come from living in an economically prosperous area. Her watch reminds me of how the choices she made in her life have blessed me. It reminds me of her. Click the link for more information about my grandmother's immigration.