Dozens become new Canadians on Canada Day in Manitoba

Dozens of people took the oath of citizenship and became Canadian citizens Tuesday at different ceremonies in the province. 

Three citizenship ceremonies were held in Manitoba Tuesday, with two in Winnipeg and another at the International Peace Garden in Boissevain.

"Becoming a Canadian means I have the opportunity to … grow to belong and to dream," said Kelly Nguyen while speaking to the crowd at Princess Auto Stadium about her journey to citizenship Tuesday morning. 

"I promise to be a proud Canadian, to love and respect this country as I would to my motherland." 

Ngyuen was one of 41 people from 14 different countries who became citizens at the ceremony. She left her home country of Vietnam and spent eight years in Singapore, where she met her husband, before moving to Winnipeg where she's lived for almost a decade.

Ngyuen said she felt like a celebrity being able to become a citizen on Canada day after the years-long wait. 

She also had her late mother on her mind. 

"Every moment when life hits me I always think of my mom and I always think of why did I choose to come here in the first place," she said. 

"She would be like 'That is my girl!,' she'd say that." 

Ebamien Oshiame, who moved to Canada from Nigeria eight years ago, said now that she's a citizen, there are endless possibilities of goals she could set.

Oshiame told CBC News she wants to be a lawyer one day. 

"I can aspire to be whoever I want to be, I'm not there yet, but I'm certainly on the right track," she said. "It's been a long journey, a roller coaster, but I'm finally happy and grateful to be a Canadian citizen today."

At another ceremony at Assiniboine Park Tuesday morning, more than 30 people from 12 different countries became Canadian citizens. 

Irambona-Sebineza said it felt "very important" for him to become a Canadian citizen Tuesday. He's also looking forward to voting, he said. 

"I have been longing for it, and now the time has come, I'm very happy," said Patrice Irambona-Sebineza, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Meanwhile, back at Princess Auto Stadium, Ngyuen had some advice to share with anyone who is still on their journey to citizenship.

"Think about why you booked your one-way ticket, [went] into that airplane and [came] here," she said. "Work towards your goal and if you set the moon, just try and get all of the stars along the way until you get your moon.

"And your moon will come one day."