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The subject of this thesis is the transformation of social ties, examined through the migration and settlement trajectories of 32 ex-Yugoslavian humanitarian refugees selected abroad and settled in two regions of Quebec: Saguenay (in the cities of Chicoutimi and Jonquière) and Lanaudière (Joliette). This transformation initially began during the war and the forced migration that broke social, familial, and political ties recognized by this group until that time, followed by the resettlement of refugees in Quebec. We have attempted to show how these transformations are also part of a global process, involving economic, social, cultural, and political changes. We are orphans of another principle: the cold war. Within this context of change, it is not difficult to perceive a generalized sense of loss of meaning in our society that leads to insecurity, social suffering, and identity distress. This research was carried out using an anthropological approach, influenced by trends in the anthropology of modernities, and political and humanitarian anthropology. Participants' life narratives are examined in terms of their experiences in their native country, with respect to familial, social, and political relations; the trajectory of forced migration and the various ruptured ties; as well as the trajectory in their country of settlement. The humanitarian event, forced migration, and extreme violence constitute a rupture that involves separation, absence, exile, as well as the reorganization and reorientation of meaning. The resettlement of refugees in the regions of Quebec corresponds to the enactment of a policy for the regionalization of immigration and is also the result of a series of procedures, practices, and meanings that engage a whole international humanitarian network or circuit, as well as a network of national and local humanitarian or community organizations. These networks are activated with the aim of offering relocalization in the new country and the possibility of reconstructing lost social and political ties. Our research shows that refugees and their families feel more secure in Quebec, but several factors, such as the regional socio-economic context where they settle, influence employment opportunities, the development of relationships, and the feeling of belonging. Slightly weakened family ties continue to be the essential support for remaining together. We also observed that the measures targeting social, economic, and cultural integration of refugees appear to be less effective when the immigrant population becomes diversified and the state decentralizes responsibility. Changes that occur in the host society, such as Quebec, include the state entrusting community organizations with mandates previously assigned to institutions. Partnership stands as a choice measure for facilitating the entry of newcomers into local society through different programs and activities: reception, accompaniment, and integration of refugees, language learning and support for professional insertion. Organizations should aim most often to weave economic and social ties among the different actors who are likely to playa favourable role in the process of autonomy building. But this call to solidarity from the bottom up, without state intervention, weakens enormously the daily work of organizations that endure budgetary and administrative constraints. In this way, the effectiveness of social, economic, and cultural integration of refugees is reduced among a diversified immigrant population, and refugees remain in a laminae space with regard to their acquisition of economic and social rights. A real policy of recognition of differences should be incorporated in the organization of society. Keywords: humanitarian refugees, ex-Yugoslavians, Bosnia-Herzegovina, social ties, forced migration, migratory trajectory, regionalization of immigration, family ties, professional insertion, community groups, Saguenay, Joliette
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