Canadian Identity Analysis

In the various literature studied this semester in ELA A30 there are numerous criteria for deciding Canadian identity. The poem “I am a Canadian” by Duke Redbird mentions many Canadian identities. The quote “I’m a lobster fisherman in Newfoundland. I’m a clambake in P.E.I.” describes the uniqueness of each province. The maritime provinces are involved in fishery while the prairie provinces are rich in resources such as wheat. Different regions have their own identity and their unique identity makes up Canada as a whole. There are things that Canadian enjoys “I’m a clown in Quebec during carnival. I’m a mass in the cathedral of St. Paul. I’m a hockey game in the forum”. These things that Canadian take part in make them distinct from other countries.

Beginning at the time of the Confederation, Canada has worked towards defining its own identity. Slowly, but surely, Canada has built the foundations for its path to prominence. From a colony of Great Britain, to the country it is today, Canada has achieved much on the long road to a unique Canadian identity. Whether it be through external or internal affairs, Canada’s people have endeavoured to instill the feeling of nationalism deep inside the hearts of both the present and future generations.

Canada’s identity comes in many shapes and forms. Multiculturalism has been adopted and is at the forefront of Canadian identity. Following the Second World War, Canada’s multiculturalism policies became more acceptable and even successful in, not only accepting, but inviting multiple ethnic cultures in. In contrast to other countries, multiculturalism adaptation works for the Canadian culture. Canadian policies on multiculturalism have shifted over the past few decades; policies are now implemented for integration, not discrimination.

Canadian identity wasn’t always stereotypically related to polar bears, maple syrup and beavers. Various movements in the 20th century began the development of Canadian identity. Aspects of Canadian society such as technology, peacekeeping and immigration gave Canada a distinct identity. Technology distinguished Canada as a developed nation amongst others with advanced transportation, communication and electricity. Peacekeeping is also an essential part in Canada's identity as it displays effort and desire for world peace, which is something many individuals embrace. Lastly, diversity in Canada is recognized worldwide and plays a major role in Canadian identity. Through technology, peacekeeping and immigration during the 20th century, Canadian

What does it mean to be Canadian? What is Canada’s national identity? These are questions which are difficult to answer. The International and Universal Exposition in 1967, or otherwise known as Expo 67, was an exhibition held in Montreal, Quebec from April to October, which was celebrating Canada’s centennial. I found many primary and secondary sources that recognize how Canadians perceive national identity through the exhibition. The theme for the Expo was ‘Man and his World’ and this raised the sense of national pride for Canadians. I found some sources that looked at ‘Canadian National Identity’ as a whole; as well as Canadian National Identity for the Natives, the French Canadians

Canada’s identity is tremendously challenging to delineate, due to encompassing a vast population of various cultures, traditions, and values spanning an enormous landmass. From various historical perspectives, Canadian identity has changed over the course of the last century - valuing discrete ideologies through various time periods. Due to various government policies and acts, as well as reformed beliefs and ideas regarding large social issues, Canada’s identity has shifted and constantly renewed its identity over the course of the past half century.

This course revolves around the local,national and global aspects that have shaped Canada's identity from as early as World War I to the present. The course is also taught in a Catholic School that encourages students to relate subjects to the Catholic religion. Students are to evaluate issues such as human rights, social and economic change and national and international relationships from a Catholic perspective. It aids students in achieving these goals by splitting the subject into five different strands.

Every community in Canada, whether it is large or small, is a gold mine of diversity, tradition, culture and much history. It’s the familiarity, knowledge of their heritage, and sense of belonging at school, work, home, or their place of worship, that strengthens their identity or who they are as Canadians. If someone identified as Canadian, it means they are a part of Canada’s society. To be Canadian means freedom. Canadians have the freedom to think for themselves, speak what they believe, and live their life with no limits. Because of this freedom, they have certain character traits and qualities. Simply, Canadians contain a certain Canadian attitude, the recognition of Canadian multiculturalism and prominently, Canadian pride.

The Canadian identity is an ever changing idea that has drastically changed generation to generation to finally develop as what is known today as the “ethnic mosaic”. Canada has evolved from being a predominantly Caucasian country to one containing this “ethnic mosaic”; a mix of ethnic groups, and cultures that coexist within society. Here, Canadians, especially immigrants are free to express themselves and their culture without the fear of discrimination and have many opportunities to widen their horizons since this country has developed in this positive manner over the years. Contrary to Shastri’s beliefs, I believe that the ethnic mosaic is true and that Canada is a land of opportunities.

The following paper will be discussing how Aboriginal people have been represented as inferior in the history of Canada. In addition, I will be discussing the ways in which this form of representation may influence the identity formation of individuals who are identified are part of that group, while considering why identity formation is complex and why strict definitions of culture may be constraining for individuals. Essentially, removing people's power to select their individual identity results in a lack of authenticity and uniqueness.

Inextricably related to both international and domestic perceptions of Canada is an inherent multiculturalist society, primarily due to the anterior development of Canada as a composite state between British and French cultures and the ‘progressiveness’ and subsequent benefit (without logical substantiation) perpetually postulated by large segments of Canadian politics and a considerable quantity of Canadian

Canadians have a very peaceful reputation internationally, yet not many countries know much about the Canada. Save for the most prominent stereotypes of Canada, such as maple syrup, beavers or the cold, Canada’s reputation shows its citizens to be very polite, accepting and down-to-earth people. Canada as a country is seen as a place of opportunity, whether it be for jobs, education or a new start. It is seen as very progressive in its human rights laws and reputable in general. One of Canada’s biggest identifiers internationally is its multiculturalism. Approximately 250,000 people immigrate to Canada each year from all around the globe, making it a mosaic of different cultures, religions and races. Some people and countries

In E. Jones’s essay, Canadian identity, ze talks explains logical, ethical, and practical reasons for and against canada forming a national identity. She gave a lot of information intended to help her audience come to there own conclusion about forming a national identity.

Mackey, Razack and Poulter bring up the issues of a falsely constructed national identity in their article’s arguments. Settling Differences: Managing and Representing People and Land in the Canadian National Project states that “identity is formed in the ‘simultaneous vectors of similarity, continuality, and difference’” (Charbram and Fregoso, 1990: 206, as quoted by Mackey 2002: 24) – that certain characteristics and attributes from each identity is what relates or differentiates one identity from the next. These identities are either rooted in the lands history or appropriated from other groups, but never displays the full progression of coming to be. Rather, they display a discourse where only specific accounts of history are included in

Canadian and American cultural views were different which was proved because one is multicultural and the other is not. Canada was known as “mosaic” which means immigrants from any ethnic group were accepted here and were allowed to practice their religion. Therefore, they have a double identity ,meaning they are their ethnic group before a Canadian citizen as in Japanese-Canadian, Asian Canadian and so on . Whereas ,American culture was known as the “melting pot “, where they accept other cultures however they encouraged their citizens to give up their original culture ( Wells ,10 and 11 ). Canadian’s usually describe themselves as “NOT AMERICAN“(Wells,35) . Many Americans view Canada as a positive nation and as a better environment to live in then the United States . A legal sectary from Gastonia ,North Carolina said “Canada’s such a terrific place, I’d move there tomorrow if I could” (Wells, 35). This proves that Americans want to come to Canada since it is a safer environment due to it’s unique culture. Canadians are recognized as more modest, less aggressive and more down to earth then their southern neighbors (Wells,35).