In our multicultural society, many Canadians discover that perhaps their identity as citizens has become to search forever for an identity. The search for the Canadian Identity has progressed for as long as Canada had existed. In the article “An Unknown Country” by Roy MacGregor, the idea of Canada being this “perfect” country is revealed as nothing more than a mere dream, counteracted by the reality that in many circumstances Canada came close to losing itself forever. “An Unknown Country” by Roy MacGregor suggests that whilst Canada is a nation proud of its successes, we still keep the blemishes and scars resulting from our history, implying that our Canadian identity is rather ambiguous. In the eyes of the world, Canada is considered a …show more content…
Canadians need tolerance and provision; however, our opinions seem to change based on the circumstances. As soon as the tolerance and provision go against our own safety, we change our course of action. For instance, we talk a big game when it comes to assisting the Syrian refugees, but the moment they pose a threat our opinions would automatically change. It’s perhaps as if Canada concentrates more on having a good reputation as oppose to creating a firm foundation. Additionally, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report along with the repercussions of the residential schools system undoubtedly show how Canada has wronged its native people. Nowadays, the stigma against Aboriginal people is still present in society. Furthermore, MacGregor mentions that we also have been brutal to those who came later and expected different treatment. For instance, the St.Louis came to Canada transporting nine hundred and seven Jewish refugees attempting to escape from the hands of the Nazis. Canada sent them away, leading many to meet their fate in concentration camps. In this case, the past cannot be changed, edited or erased; it can only be
In ”Resolution and Canadian Iconography: The ’I-Canuck’ Photograph”, Tracy Whalen (2010), an associate professor, argues two things about Canadians. When it comes to ”The Iconic Image”, Canadians lack the resolve to determine what consist an iconic image and to grasp a picture visual resolution (p.446). According to Whalen (2010), the reason Canadians do not have a clear understanding ”of an iconic image goes back to the Canada’s history of citizenship” and because ”iconic images are defined as domestic productions of model citizenship, [which] Canadians have not had a long time develop these (p.454)”. Whalen (2010) continues, when Canadians were asked what is an iconic image, Canadians’ primary thought is often the image of Pierre Elliot Trudeau
Those who don’t live or have ever been may think that Canada is a country that is not diverse maybe even monocultural, that Canada is flat full of only farmland and rural towns, that we live lives fueled by hockey and that is all that Canada is. In reality every Canadian knows it is much more it is diverse, scenic and urban. In the essay “My Canada” by Anita Rau Badami she said this about Canada “the country had been doing a slow dance for me over the nine years that I had lived here, showing me tantalizing little bits of itself every now and then.” The quote by Badami says that Canada has little charms spread throughout the country, such as the vastness and natural beauty of Lake Louise and all National Parks. Festivals in Edmonton which displays Canadian culture and a variety of other cultures from around the earth.
Professor Payne’s thesis was supported by examining three specific case studies. First, she investigated how photographs authorized by the Government of Canada have supplied a construction of Canadian identity. Second, Payne showed how photographs support the Canadian
However, not many have been able to identify a certain time period where Canadian identity has prospered. The postwar era and repatriation of Canadian constitution (1945-1982) best identifies Canadian identity. This is because this was the time Canada established its peacekeeping reputation and became independent. Firstly, as the world exited the wartime era, plans to
Some say that Canada is safe and free. Although it may be true today, Canada was not always the nice and peaceful place it is now. Canada’s history demonstrates that the country grew and got stronger. Unfortunately, history also shows that Canada gets violent with other countries and even itself. Canada’s identity in relation to war and peace worsened since 1914.
Canada is now known to be a diverse, multicultural, bilingual and inclusive nation largely as a result of his work. Pierre Elliott Trudeau also believed in an equal Canada for all, he is primarily the one to introduce rights and freedoms to the citizens of Canada. While some view Pierre Trudeau as impulsive, for enforcing the War Measures Act, Trudeau enacted this for the protection of Canadian citizens against radical extremist and his actions were more rational than impulsive for the situation that had suddenly occurred. Pierre Trudeau was one of Canada’s greatest Prime Minister’s, who’s impact fundamentally changed the course of the nation by introducing multiculturalism, for introducing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and for paradoxically upholding democracy by strong action during the October Crisis.
Ryan Edwardson points out in his essay that Canadians have an especially difficult time uniting as one nation because of the diversity of Canada’s citizens and because it is a geographically vast country (185). Philip Kennicot explains that maps can help people understand an area that is too large for them to otherwise understand (qtd. in Green 140). In the same way, the “Wait For Me Daddy” image helped Canadians understand and identify more with their large country. Canadians sometimes identify more with their province, or even a smaller region within their province, than with the whole of the nation.
Institutional and historical analysis often portray the motives of governments, especially in the cases of Quebec separatism and Aboriginal mistreatment. History describes attempts at compromise to rectify the problems by altering political institutions to provide more autonomy to the provinces, witness in various accords and the methods described previously. However, in regards to Aboriginals a historical relationship of exploitation and eradication sheds on the systemic issues that Aboriginals cope with and the institutions that caused them. As scholars of Canadian politics, it is important to consider historical and institutional analyses when looking at any issue, as it reveals the underlying motives of actors in regards to the cleavages that comprise a state.
To many people, Canada is known for its equality, freedom and its acceptance of people no matter their race or culture. However, Canada is not always as good and accepting as people think of it to be, especially when it comes to stereotyping Aboriginal peoples. Drew Hayden Taylor, as a half-white and half-Ojibway author, has personally experienced the stereotyping in society against Aboriginal peoples. By providing testimony, using a sarcastic and mocking tone in all three of his essays, and often referring to general stereotypes of Native people, Drew Hayden Taylor’s essays “Seeing Red Over Myths”, “What’s an Indian Worth These Days?” and “Pretty Like a White Boy: The Adventures of a Blue Eyed Ojibway” challenge conventional values and beliefs
In this day and age, today’s countries and their cultures are immensely different and unique in comparison to each other. China and Canada are no exceptions. The Chinese, known for their famous silk production and their Great Wall of China, hold an impressive history ranging over 5000 years. Canada on the other hand, has only been in the game for 150 years. The British colonization in 1867 had a major impact on the First Nations and has left a serious mark on their community.
Today, Canada is seen as a multicultural and peaceful nation that has evolved over the course of history. This great nation would never have been possible without the impact that former Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson left on this country. His achievements and insights profoundly affected and shaped Canada’s nation. First, peacekeeping is an important part of Canada’s heritage and a reflection of its fundamental beliefs that Pearson implemented after dealing with world changing situations and winning a Nobel Prize. Also, his contributions as a liberal leader as well as the flaws and controversy with Diefenbaker did in fact define this country.
Racism was no longer in vogue.” After becoming part of these organizations, racism was not exposed anymore and Canadians started to exhibit more equality and respect for each other. Finally, after realizing the mistakes made and taking actions, Canadians started to participate more in their country but also worldwide. They commenced to take part in their own democracy and began to change their relationships with other people. Prior to WWII, Canada became weaker as a nation but when they started to change their views on minority groups and Canadians from different cultures, Canada became stronger as a nation.
Canada’s strength is in its diversity as Canada tells everyone to be proud of their background. Perhaps in other parts of the world, different people don’t get along with each due to their different
Critical Summary #3: First Nations Perspectives In Chapter eight of Byron Williston’s Environmental Ethics for Canadians First Nation’s perspectives are explored. The case study titled “Language, Land and the Residential Schools” begins by speaking of a public apology from former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He apologizes for the treatment of “Indians” in “Indian Residential Schools”. He highlights the initial agenda of these schools as he says that the “school system [was] to remove and isolate [Aboriginal] children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them[…]” (Williston 244).
Canadian individual identity is questioned often because it is so diverse and means something different to each person in Canada. Although there is not a set identity there are many values and beliefs that are owned by all Canadians. To find out what Canadians identity is, one has to take into account what has affected it. The United States is the biggest influence on Canadian identity. The U.S. culture is very similar to Canadians as we are exposed to it all the time in media sources.