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Canada Day in Yellowknife: 48 take special citizenship oath

There's 48 new Canadian citizens in the N.W.T. today after a special citizenship ceremony, the centrepiece of Yellowknife's Canada Day festivities.

Friends and families - many decked out in red and white - packed Somba K'e Civic Plaza to cheer on the new citizens as they took the oath and sang O Canada for the first time as Canadians.

The anthem has taken on a whole new meaning for the Bordey family - a family of four originally from the Philippines who got their citizenship Wednesday. Julita and Edmar Bordey and their daughters, Novie and Riella drove to the ceremony through smoky conditions from Hay River, where they live.

"We listened to the whole song of O Canada the whole ride here. That's six hours of O Canada," said Novie Bordey.

"Six hours, we've been playing, O Canada. Again and again," added Julita Bordey.

She wanted to make sure got the lyrics right during the ceremony. Now, she's got a favourite line - We stand on guard for thee.

The Philippines was one of 26 countries represented by the new citizens. The ceremony marked the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen - each immigrant held up their right hand and recited the oath of citizenship in English and French.

Saryu Singla is from India. She says getting her Canadian citizenship is a "bittersweet moment".

"I'm leaving my Indian citizenship and becoming a Canadian... I do love my country back home... [But] they don't allow dual citizenships."

Singla moved to Yellowknife two-and-a-half years ago as a new graduate.

She's spent the past few months preparing to get citizenship. She struggled studying for the citizenship test, another one of the steps immigrants must take in order to become a Canadian.

"You have to read a lot and I'm not very good at history [and remembering] the dates, so the history was just like, 'Oh my god'. And ironically, my mom is a history teacher but yeah, I did it," Singla said.

New citizens feel very 'proud'

Many dignitaries were in attendance during the ceremony including N.W.T Premier Bob McLeod, MP Dennis Bevington and Yellowknife Mayor Mark Heyck.

Bevington spoke to the new citizens shortly after they had become Canadians.

"Canada needs you. Canada needs your strength and your commitment, your innovation, your excitement about being a Canadian," he said.

"That makes this country all the better."

Yellowknife's Canada Day ceremonies also included a parade through downtown, a special Wednesday edition of the Farmers' Market, kids crafts, dance and musical performances.

All this was a bit overwhelming for Wangson Rojanavilaivudh, a new citizen from Thailand. He came to the territory to work in Norman Wells, so he's not used to all the festivities.

"It's very quiet... there's no traffic up there too, so it's very small," he said.

The first thing he is going to do as a new citizen is reapply for a Canadian passport. He says they misspelled his last name - Rojanavilaivudh - because it is so long.

​He's most looking forward to the new rights he will have, specifically the right to vote and to be active in his community.

"Today's a special day. It's Confederation Day so I feel, you know very, how do I put it, proud to [have the ceremony] today," said Rojanavilaivudh.

"Not many people can get citizenship on this day."