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by Nick Ward

In her new book, Sanctuary in PiecesDr. Laura Madokoro of Carleton University's Department of History asks readers to reconsider what ‘sanctuary’ means in an age marked by social and political fractures. 

With the meticulousness of an immersed historian and the compassion of an engaged global citizen, Madokoro explores the history of protection and hospitality in Montreal/Mooniyaang/Tiohtià, a city that she renders as an emblem for the evolving concept of refuge in settler societies. 

Sanctuary in Pieces.

Her work in Sanctuary in Pieces challenges simplistic narratives around sanctuary, offering more nuance by revealing the complexities, contradictions, and aspirations that have formed the pursuit of migrant safety and justice for centuries.

“I’ve long been fascinated by the interplay between religious and lay activism in shaping refugee policies,” she explains.

Madokoro’s larger academic project – the one that has led her to this book – began with her earlier research for Elusive Refuge: Chinese Migrants in the Cold War (Harvard, 2016) which disclosed how transnational activism—particularly by church groups and civil rights organizations—helped dismantle race-based exclusionary policies in countries like Canada and the United States.

“This sparked my interest in how sanctuary has been historically imagined and enacted, particularly in cities like Montreal,” she says.

Laura Madokoro.

Her focus then oriented to the intricacies of sanctuary practices in Montreal specifically, as the city professed itself a sanctuary town in 2017.

Montreal’s declaration, and the city’s subsequent retreat from the stance in 2019, provoked Madokoro to ask: “What does sanctuary mean—not symbolically or performatively, but substantively? How do we move beyond performative declarations to tangible, everyday practices of protection and care?”

And so, in search of a more comprehensive context, she dug into the past, parsing Montreal’s historical role as a refuge during the era of the Underground Railroad, when sanctuary often existed in shadowy secrecy – a major contrast with the highly public sanctuary practices of the late 20th century.

“This shift from secret sanctuary to public, media-focused sanctuary reflects broader changes in society,” says Madokoro. “In the past, sanctuary often involved protecting individuals in hidden, intimate ways. Today, sanctuary has become intertwined with broader political goals—advocating for systemic change while addressing immediate needs.”

Madokoro believes that both approaches have strengths and limitations, and thus require careful consideration of what it truly means to provide refuge.

"What does it take to enact and maintain sanctuary for all in a quotidian way?" she asks.

“This is a question not just for migrants but for all residents of a city, especially those already living in precarious circumstances.”

One of the most striking themes in Sanctuary in Pieces is its thought towards more efficiently challenging systemic inequalities through interrogation of assumptions and norms. 

“We often assume that public sanctuary is inherently virtuous,” she cautions. “But what does public sanctuary demand of those seeking refuge? What vulnerabilities are exposed when sanctuary is no longer hidden? And how do we ensure that these efforts are not merely symbolic but materially impactful?”

Public sanctuary is more exposed to criticism and politicization, and its success often hinges on collective will—a resource in short supply amid rising xenophobia and populist rhetoric.

As Madokoro discerns in this work, the selective compassion that has always underpinned sanctuary practices remains a troubling undercurrent, shaping who is deemed "deserving" of protection.

One aspect of the book that makes it particularly distinctive, is that it is as much about the present as it is about the past, and in today’s polarized discourse on migration and diaspora, Sanctuary in Pieces offers a timely call to rethink the ethics and practices of refuge through the crucial lenses of history and context. Madokoro’s exploration of Montreal, while deeply rooted in the city’s unique history, also extends far beyond the city’s boundaries, drawing attention to cities like Ottawa, which have grappled with the idea of declaring sanctuary status.

Rather than treating sanctuary as an exemption from societal norms, the book reframes it as a fundamental responsibility—one that, as Madokoro argues, is deeply connected to the broader project of global citizenship.

“Understanding the need for sanctuary as something woven through our contemporary societies is crucial,” she says. “We cannot treat the need for protection and shelter as exceptional. It must be recognized as part of our shared responsibility as members of a global community.”

Madokoro is particularly troubled by the dehumanizing rhetoric surrounding migration. “The way migrants and refugees are being ‘othered’ in public discourse is deeply alarming,” she says. Moreover, Madokoro notes the recent shifts by the federal government in discussions of the US-Canada border and an increasing focus on migration, noting that discussing the border as a problem has broader societal implications.

“It not only undermines the possibility of refuge but also exacerbates the precarity faced by racialized and marginalized groups. Refuge is not just about physical space; it’s about reimagining social and political structures to ensure dignity for all.”

Sanctuary in Pieces is so much more than a historical account; it is an invitation to rethink our commitments to justice and compassion. By examining the contested terrain of sanctuary—its symbols, its realities, and its possibilities—Madokoro not only deepens our understanding of Montreal’s history but also offers a vital lens for navigating the complexities of migration and refuge in the 21st century.

“Sanctuary,” she reminds the reader, “is always contested, always fragile. But its pursuit remains one of the most urgent and meaningful endeavors of our time.”

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