Originally from Côte D’Ivoire, a French-speaking country on the southern coast of West Africa, Lanciné and his family had to say goodbye to everything they knew when a civil war erupted in 2002. After fleeing as a refugee to neighbouring Guinea, his chance for a new life finally came in 2016, when he and his family were chosen by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) to resettle in Hamilton.

Lost and struggling initially, Lanciné’s sense of belonging improved drastically when he was connected to the local Francophone community, which allowed him to comfortably speak his first language and connect back with his cultural identity. Lanciné involved himself in the community in any way he could, participating in everything from food donation campaigns to speaking engagements that support and elevate the Francophone community in Hamilton. He is one of the city’s most passionate Francophone advocates and leaders.

Serving newcomers and youth of all backgrounds, Lanciné works as a prevention and outreach agent to combat human trafficking and hopes to continue his community leadership and engagement work through a career in politics.