I Am A Canadian By Duke Redbird

Through his creative non-fiction piece “Going to Canada”, Warren Cariou proposes that our traditional view of Canada is superficial and fabricated from cover-up stories; we need to look beneath the surface of central issues to construct a well-rounded understanding. Cariou travels to Auschwitz and is quite intrigued by the warehouse called Canada, which is used to store stolen goods from prisoners. He questions how the ‘Canada’ located in the internment camp got its name and what significance the name plays. Initial reflection upon the meaning of Canada suggests the prisoners named it as a place for freedom and solace. However, later evidence suggested that it was actually named by Nazi Commanders. There seemed to be no direct connection between the warehouse and the country until Cariou returned to Canada and visited several northern Aboriginal communities. Cariou emphasizes the significance of stories of First Nations as agents of remembering and forgetting; they show the theft and dehumanization that Aboriginals are subjected to. Through the numerous parallels, it became evident that there is a clear connection between the warehouse and the country. Cariou claims that as Canadians, our perspective is shaped from cover-up stories and prevents us from seeing the connection that exists between the two. The corporate exploitation of Aboriginal communities and natural resources is analogous to the behavior of the Nazis during the holocaust. Through this piece, Cariou wishes to

However, Canadians developed a sense of national identity in the form of art and literature. A Canadian art movement swept across Canada and artists like the Group of Seven gained fame. In Canadian literature, authors

The concept of nationhood is a complex one. What makes a country a nation? What is a nation? In this essay, we will attempt to gain an understanding of what a nation is, and why Canada is in fact a nation, not merely because we meet certain criteria, but because we, as Canadians, believe it is so.

A national identity is important to have as it characterizes an enormous population and land mass. Canadian identity is bound by our differences such as embracing our racial, political, religious and gender diversity. Canadians have a unique culture and many symbols and expressions that prove Canada is different from other people, countries and cultures of the world. There are many symbols that represent Canadian identity. Items such as, the national flag of Canada, the maple leaf and the national anthem. Important people such as Louis Riel, Sir John A MacDonald and Jackie Robinson. One of the main symbols which play a huge role in the Identity of Canada, is the Underground Railway. “Between 1840 and 1860, more than 30,000 American slaves came

When one thinks of Canada, he/she is most likely to stereotypically comment on a subject regarding hockey, beavers, maple syrup, and cold weather. However, not many stop and wonder about how Canada became the peaceful nation it is today. Throughout Canada’s relatively short and brief history, it has managed to flourish into a strong and powerful nation. Canada’s peaceful identity has been formed with meaningful historic events that have occurred throughout our history.It’s identity has been characterized by Lester B. Pearson's role during the suez canal, their involvement in the Vietnam war, and its engagement in peacekeeping missions around the world.

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

“Strange Brew” was a full-length movie released in 1983 that depicts how Canadian Identity was viewed at the time and to Canadians, it was a blatant representation of national identity through cultural commentary. The idea was put forth after a sketch with a similar plot line aired and was very successful in Canada and the United States, thus leading to the creation of the film. When compared to modern national identity it emphasizes the change globalization has facilitated. The national identity of past Canadians is vastly different from what is considered national identity of the modern population. Some aspects of identity affected are; the cultural ethnicity of Canadians, the fashion worn and the technology used.

Jocelyn Letourneau’s is a history professor that wrote the essay “Reconstructing the Canadian Identity”. The author argues that if one compares the Harper government's idea of conservatism against Trudeau’s idea of multiculturalism, the reader can infer that multiculturalism is failing and Canada should go back to its monarch roots. By bringing back symbols of monarchy, a new Canadian perspective would form. Letourneau’s essay is structured in a very well and composed matter. His arguments and connections are structured in proper format where his whole essay can be linked and understood easily by the average individual. Although Letourneau’s essay is structured in a proper format, it is without its faults. The essay contains many fallacies that give his arguments a weak perspective on the topic. Also throughout his essay, the author appears to be taking a side within his argument. His bias viewpoint makes himself, and his work uncredible to the reader.

The proliferation of Canadian women’s movements, notably their redefining role in society, has had a profound propitious impact on Canada’s identity in the twentieth century. The contribution of Canadian women in the cultural life (sports, the arts and dance), the political impact from the leadership role of a female perspective (Nellie McClung) and women’s economic empowerment all contribute to the shape of Canadian history. Our current Canadian national identity has been shaped and developed by events from our past by our determination, doing the "impossible", staying dedicated and true. Also by doing what others thought we couldn 't, proving people wrong and being dedicated to our plans and outlines (Vimy Ridge). By gaining more independence, freedom, equality, rights and responsibilities . By being compassionate, sticking to your words and seeking for new rights (Pierre Trudeau). Even though there are so many past events that have shaped and developed our Canadian national identity, negative things have also done the same but in a negative way. We Canadians are proud of our accomplishments and achievements. We have shaped and developed a great Canadian national identity from the past which we are still making. We have made mistakes and we are still trying to mend those today. Overall our Canadian national identity has been shaped and developed by events in our past by achieving our recognition and milestones, the cultural life (sports,

Nationalism is an important aspect of national pride and identity for countries around the world. For example, Canada takes pride in its cultural identity, one that is claimed to be different from other ‘Western’ more ‘industrialized’ nations, such as countries in Europe, and the United States. Even though Canada currently has a national identity that differs greatly from that of other more established countries, history has dictated the way in which a particular national identity exists today. In Canada, Samuel De Champlain and the French established colonies that created a cultural clash between the French Europeans, and First-Nations Canadians within the country. However, this notion of French Canadian Nationalism isn’t necessarily embraced by all of the Canadian Population. This paper seeks to analyze important pieces of Canadian History that have contributed to a broken concept of what constitutes Canadian nationalism, with an emphasis on how historic events prevent and affect coherent Canadian Nationalism in modern society. Through the analysis of the notions and histories associated with ‘First-Nations Nationalism’, ‘Quebecois Nationalism’, and a broader ‘Anti-American’ identity embraced by many Canadians, this paper seeks to locate common ground within the culturally diverse Canadian population in order to progress toward a singular coherent

Canada might have been one of the best places in the world but for me and Tim, Canada is a lot more than that. For Tim O’ Brien’s “On the Rainy River”, Canada is freedom: freedom from the draft letter that pressures him to go to war, freedom from the war that he never understood and always hated, freedom from the dirt, tent, and mosquitoes, freedom from that dense greasy pig-stink and blood clots in the slaughterhouse, freedom from his country, and freedom from his conscience… or is it? On the other hand, for me, Canada is separation: separation from the friends and family who I most

unique because Canada is a cultural mosaic, which allows elements of many cultures to be integrated

To me, being a Canadian means that you will stand by your country, and hold it strong well you are at war. It means that you will not give up your home and native land. We might have been a British colony for centuries, but we embrace that. We love our heritage and I would not even try to change who I am. For Canada is my life. Canada is not just a country, it is a home, a refugee, and an enemy. In this essay I will show to you the way that Canada is a home, a refugee and an enemy.

What is Canada? What is a Canadian? Canada, to employ Voltaire's analogy, is nothing but “a few acres of snow.”. Of course, the philosopher spoke of New France, when he made that analogy. More recently, a former Prime Minister, Joe Clark, said that the country was nothing but a “community of communities”. Both these images have helped us, in one way or another, try to interpret what could define this country. On the other hand, a Canadian could be a beer, a hockey-playing beaver or even a canoe floating in a summer day's sunset. A Canadian could also be a “sovereigntyphobe”, refusing to see the liquefaction, albeit political, of the second largest country in the world.

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).