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“Hearts of Freedom – A Tribute to Ottawa’s Project 4000”

Ottawa artist An Nguyen has created an artwork entitled “Hearts of Freedom – A Tribute to Ottawa’s Project 4000″ (48″x60”, acrylics on canvas).

According to the artist,

The piece “is a powerful and deeply moving painting that celebrates compassion, community, and the strength of collective action. Inspired by former Mayor Marion Dewar’s visionary Project 4000 initiative, the work pays tribute to Ottawa’s humanitarian effort to welcome and resettle 4,000 Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian refugees in the aftermath of the Vietnam War (which ended April 30, 1975).”

Nguyen goes on to explain:

The painting recalls a defining moment in Ottawa’s history—July 12, 1979, when Mayor Dewar announced Project 4000 at the Lansdowne Pavilion. Her heartfelt speech galvanized citizens to form sponsorship groups, open their homes, and help newcomers find employment, housing, and belonging. At the center of the composition, the Honourable Marion Dewar radiates empathy and courage. From her hands and the sky above, hearts with wings descend, symbolizing compassion taking flight and the power of kindness in action. These hearts also allude to the Hearts of Freedom Project, which documents the oral histories of refugees affected by the Vietnam War—linking the past with ongoing acts of remembrance and understanding.

Layered scenes throughout the painting depict arrival, welcome, and rebuilding—a visual testament to hope and unity. The artist also highlights key historical milestones that define this extraordinary chapter in Canadian history:

  • The City of Ottawa contributed $25,000 to launch Project 4000, which soon became a non-profit organization run by volunteers and a small staff led by Alan Breakspear.
  • The Ottawa Citizen played an unprecedented role, printing sponsorship forms and encouraging citizens to take part—transforming readers into sponsors.
  • Sponsorship represented a serious commitment: families pledged between $8,000 and $12,000 to support newcomers for a year, helping them navigate a new language, climate, and culture.
  • The momentum spread nationwide—over 7,000 sponsorship groups formed across Canada. Inspired by Ottawa’s leadership, Prime Minister Joe Clark’s government raised Canada’s refugee intake from 8,000 to 50,000, later increasing it to 60,000.
  • By the time Project 4000 concluded in 1983, 3,600 refugees had been resettled in Ottawa, and 59,000 across Canada between 1979 and 1982. In 1986, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees awarded the Nansen Medal to the Canadian people—the only nation ever to receive this honor—for their compassion and leadership in refugee resettlement.

For more information about Project 4000 and the Southeast Asian refugee movement in general, please see the following research sources that inspired the artist:

Any questions or inquiries concerning the artwork should be directed to the artist at AnNguyen.Arts@gmail.com.

See also