The Canadian Identity



The Canadian Identity

Central Questions

1. What is meant by the “Canadian Identity”?

2. What do Canadians think of themselves?

3. In what ways does Canadian society differ from other national societies?

4. How has immigration affected the development of a Canadian Identity?

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a multicultural identity?

6. How have Canadians achieved this identity?

Canada has always been a land of immigrants.

There is NO definite evidence of human habitation in Canada dating back hundreds and thousands of years, as is the case with Africa or Asia; any indications we could have had of possible pre-historic ancestors was scraped away by the great glaciers of the Ice age, which receded only 10,000 years ago. But we have plenty of proof that people lived in Canada in the early post-glacial era, and scientists conclude that ALL peoples of Canada migrated here from somewhere else.

This immigration has happened in 3 basic stages:

1. Those whom we call “Native Peoples” or First Nations. The circumstances which led to their coming are unknown and unrecorded, but most theories hold that they crossed into N.A. from Asia when there was a land bridge across what is now the Bering Strait.

2. European Age of Discovery—the settling of the French, British and others into Canada.

3. Most recent influx of people from around the globe which has taken place over the last century or so. This has coincided with the development of a “global community” in Canada because it has included the arrival of people from almost every country and culture in the world.

Due to this last stage of immigration Canada has been known as having a “multicultural” society. Even though many other countries may have a mix of different cultures Canada remains to be very different than most other countries.

For example, the USA also has many different cultures however they are usually labeled as a “melting pot” society. This means that people from foreign lands quickly loose their separate identities and become ‘monotone’ American.

Canada on the other hand, is often described as a ‘mosaic’ with each individual maintaining and cherishing their varied cultural traditions.

Canada is well known for its ‘fair play’ and equal opportunity for all when it comes to the social, economic and political life in Canada.

There are many benefits to be enjoyed by pursuing our self-made identity as an immigrant, multi-cultural, national community. Our different cultures give our society a richness and variety that other, more homogeneous peoples lack.

The presence of many minorities makes political moderation and toleration absolutely necessary if we are to live in peace; in this way our ethnic diversity brings out the best in us. Each of our cultural groups offers a great deal to the Canadian community—much more than the popular image of beautiful costumes and special foods. Distinctly different and separate languages express different ideas and philosophies, which have a profound effect on the laws that govern us. Sometimes individual national groups or cultures possess great skills which they naturally brought with them as immigrants. Such as; Scandinavians with their fishing and forestry abilities

Dutch with their dairying and market gardening abilities

Hutterites and Mennonites with their farming skills and communal lifestyles

Etc.

But there are disadvantages to multiculturalism which should be considered as well. (

Canadians are sometimes told (or tell themselves, which is more to the point) that they are too narrow-minded, self-absorbed and they spend too much time trying to figure each other out, and don’t pay enough attention to the outside world. Also and array of peoples such as Canada boasts can make the country dis-united.

Canadians do not move or think as a mass the way Americans do, and some people argue that this allows us to be dominated more easily.

And there is always the danger which flares when multiculturalism becomes multinationalism, with particular ethnic groups fighting for privileges or special recognition at the expense of other groups within a society.

So, how did it come about----this scattered and ill-defined identity which is alternately praised and reviled by the people who created it? The answer is complex, of course, because so many factors are included in the development of a national identity and the people take a variety of approaches to it.

Part of the explanation could be that immigration over a long period of time has forced a constant change and reassessment of our national personality. Immigration in waves is another reason--- throughout our history, people have come to Canada in large groups, and have tended to stick together after getting here, rather than assimilating immediately into a non-ethnic mainstream (like the USA). This ghettoization, which is still apparent today in many large Canadian cities, is partly responsible for the active continuation of languages and ethnic customs. Throughout its history, Canada has been regionalized by a poor network of communications, by great distances between communities, and by a difficult climate. These have also helped entrench immigrant ghettoization, and to make Canadians more “local” people rather than “national”.

Place and Identity

Canadian Identity

Assignment

1. What are Canadians like, as people? Check the adjectives below which you think apply to us.

There is no correct or incorrect answer here, because we are dealing with a person’s mental impression, and everyone is different.

(If you need to, use a dictionary to help with the terms)

_____ Self-deprecating _____ aggressive/out-going

_____ naïve _____ self absorbed/myopic

_____ parochial _____ cautious/uncertain

_____ laid-back _____ fiercely nationalistic

_____ egocentric _____ expansionistic

_____ warlike _____ uncultured

_____ cosmopolitan _____ confident

_____ indifferent _____ taciturn/serious-minded

(politically)

_____ easy going _____ competitive

_____ barbaric _____ enterprising

_____ tough _____ petty/fussy

_____ dull _____ old-fashioned

Now, with a different mark (an X or a check mark) choose the words that fit your impression of people from the USA. Finally, with a 3rd different mark, select the characteristics which apply to you as a person. Compare these with your view of Canadians as a whole.

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