Week 1 Wall
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Street Party
What is Canada?
To give us all an idea of our preconceptions coming into the course, write your blog entry on what you think Canada is and what the storyline(s) of Canadian history are; i.e. “Canada is ….” And “Canadian history is about ….” – you fill in the blanks!
Angela Lin, 
angrysteve, and 7 others are discussing.
jbachynski 12:18 pm on September 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I was born in Canada and have lived here my whole life. During my travels throughout the country, I have learned that it is not only vast in open space and size, but in cultures as well. Being a country that developed through the immigration of many different nationalities, our identity as a nation is harder to pin point. There is not necessarily a “Canadian way” of doing certain things, and I feel that customs and traditions are constantly evolving. It seems very common as a Canadian to have grandparents or parents that have come from somewhere else, for example, my grandparents are from Poland. When traveling to other older countries, it becomes very clear how young and adaptable Canada truly is. I feel that Canadian history is not something that is as widely talked about. Perhaps it is because we are a younger country, or maybe it is because of our peaceful reputation and lack of dominance in world history. Besides having some basic knowledge of famous Canadians like Louis Riel, Laura Secord and Terry Fox, I know less than I feel I should about my country. I love how Canadians have preserved so many amazing lakes and national parks, and really seem to appreciate the nature that surrounds us. I am interested to learn more about how Canada came into existence and developed into one of the most beautiful countries there is.
enorthwood 2:35 pm on September 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
My family, including myself, mother, father, sister and brother have lived in Canada our whole lives. However, my grandfather, who comes from Wales and my grandmother who comes from France were always telling me stories when I was younger about the great history of Europe, how they moved to Canada, what the differences in their life was from here to there, contrasting a number of ideas into my head about the differences between different parts of the world and Canada. I feel like Canada is overlooked too often, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened in on conversations when I’ve visited the states about Canada being irrelevant, or heard jokes about the way that Canadians do things. It seems there is a lot ignorance surrounding the actuality of the Canadian nation. I believe this to be a highly troublesome thought, considering that as a nation, and as a country, we certainly have a lot of history to offer. We’ve struggled like any other country, with political parties like Chateau Clique in the lower parts of Canada or Family Compact in the higher parts at the beginning of our history, all the way through our governmental policies to block the excess of Asian or Indian immigrants, such as head taxes, all the way to where we stand today, and it has been a long, relentless fight to equality. That being said, in Toronto, Ontario, where I went to high school, we were required to take history until grade 10 of high school, and most of it wasn’t even Canadian history, it was European. I think Canada is a literal kaleidoscope of a variety of different cultures, people, languages, and traditions which to me makes it a role model in our international community. While I think Canadian history certainly has it’s down points and dark spots, and is highly influenced and certainly a large part of European history, Canada certainly has its own lessons and legends that have made a global difference, I wish this was more widely recognized. I think the most interesting thing about history is the idea that we keep making such similar mistakes, Canada is not innocent of this. I am intrigued to learn more about where I’ve lived my whole life, and to understand the points in time where Canada has fallen, but still overcome.
the1strange2part3of4town 5:31 pm on September 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is my home but because as a country so vast and diverse beyond conception, I have come to see Canada more as political entity that I just so happen to live within. Coming from a political background, I believe in the state and its power being very real in this modern time. Canada is a state. How Canada became the state it is today is very much a question of its history. Canadian history is so diverse, the story lines are infinite. However, it is this diversity and complex history from coast to coast that has made Canada into a multicultural and multinational state. From a more personal perspective, Canada is a place of opportunity and its history is made up of all the story lines of its inhabitants taking advantage of its opportunities and contributing to Canada and its growth. Canadaian history, good and bad, is all equally important because the silverlining is that everything in history has contributed to what it is now and what it means to every individual, not just Canadians. Furthermore, Canadian history is a global history because of its multicultural, multinational nature.
I am Canadian because I was born in Canada and raised to be culturally Canadian. My Canadian history is inherently linked to my parents origins. My mother’s family history is a good example of this. Emigrating from Hong Kong at a young age, my mother was brought to Canada by her father who worked in Vancouver’s Chinatown; and previous to her father, my mother’s grandfather helped build the trans-Canadian railway. My mother’s family was eventually reunited and able to immigrate to Canada where they believed they would be given the opportunity to live better than they would in China. But as a land of opportunity, Canada is also constantly growing as a result of its inhabitants contributing to its growth directly or indirectly. My great-grandfather who helped build the trans-Canadian railway took advantage of opportunities in Canada, as well as contributed to its growth and prosperity through his contributions to the railway directly and the Canadian economy indirectly today. My grandfather on the other hand contributed to the growing Asian-Canadian culture by whole-heartedly “becoming” Canadian. Once he landed in Vancouver, he learnt English and would only eat Chinese food on special occasions. As a result, his entire family followed suit in assimilating to Canadian culture. Today, my mother sees herself as an unhyphenated Canadian while still understanding that where she came from and the journey she and her family took directly effects where she is today and has contributed the multicultural, multinational Canada we live in. Consequences of my family’s commitment to assimilating as Canadians, I see myself as purely Canadian. I follow Canadian customs, culture, speak only English and French, while being ethnically Chinese and Polish. What Canada is to me is a place of opportunity and growth where everyone adds something to Canada from their experiences and origins. It is thus this growth from people coming to Canada that has created the Canada we all live in and its history. Canadian history is a global history because almost everyone, except for the indigenous minority populations, came to Canada from other places for one reason or another and brought with them an infinite amount of experiences, ideas, and things contributing to Canada and its history.
cprimus 8:41 pm on September 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
O, Canada!
Canada is a beautifully diverse country. Although we’re known for our manners and lumberjacks, Canadians have a lot more than just courtesy and plaid jackets hanging on our hooks. The injection of foreign cultures, customs, language and people into the stream of life is really what makes the country’s heart beat. We are mostly a country of immigrants, and as a cultural melting pot we’re still trying to assemble a national identity. Well, some of us are. French Canada seems to be pretty clear on its own culture and politics, and wants nothing to do with the rest of us. And Native Canadians have given us plenty to work with, much of which has been overlooked, disrespected or discarded on the side of the highway but through ecotourism and a shift in consciousness it’s becoming appreciated once again. We have a lot of land to populate but keep the density pretty low, and the scenery is stunning. Canada’s bounty of natural resources is indeed a gift to us, her humble inhabitants, as we enjoy a high standard of living. We Canadians are a diverse, dynamic group of people. Hockey-loving people.
Unfortunately I can’t say nearly as much on Canadian history. I graduated from high school too long ago to remember much else about our history besides Jacques Cartier mistakenly believing Kanata to be the name of, well, what is now Canada. Really, I’m here to re-learn Canadian history, because I love my home and native land.
Tina Loo 10:48 am on September 14, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Who are you? I can’t give you credit for your blogs if your name doesn’t appear on the post – your alias doesn’t help me figure out who you are… Please edit your posts and insert your name.
nkular93 10:43 pm on September 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
If I had to define Canada at the top of my head I would most likely say that Canada is the land of immigrants. There is so much multiculturalism present in this country. You see people of all origins and backgrounds everyday which is something that I am , in particular, very proud of. Canada is a nation where their is unity among people who do not have very much in common in terms of their backgrounds and cultures and yet are still held together by this one national identity: being a part of a nation that is inhabited by people from all over the world. Canada is spectacular scenery. Canada is tolerance for people of all origins. Canada is a history of various groups of people and their attempts and struggles to make it theirs. Canada is a mixture of a lot of identities. I feel like many people that live in this country are associated with more than one identity. One which is that of being a Canadian: being a part of a national identity that associates itself with various characteristics that are displayed by citizens of of this country on a daily basis such as the habituation to cold weather, winters, the passion for our national sport hockey, the stereotypes ( Canadians are too nice, they live in igloos, etc etc.) and one which connects them to their actual origin. I would say that although I was born in Canada and am a Canadian I am also associated with my Indian roots. Its a constant struggle trying to figure which identity you fit better or which you associate with the most and I believe that most Canadians experience this. This is one thing that many people have in common and that, I believe, is an important aspect of Canadian identity. Although their is not much I know about Canadian history, at least in a lot of detail, i believe it is the struggle between groups of people and their struggles to make Canada theirs as I mentioned before. It is the battle between the Europeans and those who have inhabited the land long before any of the Europeans showed. It is the struggle to bring inhabitants of the land under one national identity. It is the attempts of a country to be free from British identity. It is the process of gradual immigration of not only people from all across the world but also their ideas, customs, practices, innovations, and thoughts. It is the success of these immigrants and ideas, thoughts, and innovations that has led to Canada being identified as a land full of opportunities.
alexwickett 11:58 pm on September 7, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I feel extremely blessed to be able to call Canada, and more specifically Vancouver, my home. Growing up in Vancouver and having both parents grow up in Canada, I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of Canadian history, in comparison to people who didn’t necessarily have to learn about it as part of their curriculum. That being said, I travelled throughout Europe this summer and I learned so much about so many other countries and places just by going and visiting buildings, museums, and places that are so full of rich, well known history. This made me realize that my knowledge about my own country, even after studying it for years is rather minimal. I feel much of what I was taught in high school had to do with the fur trade, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and John A. Macdonald. I know there is to be more to this country’s history, and I am excited to be able to recite as much and more about my own country’s past as I can about a lot of foreign places.
Being away really showed me how lucky I am to live in Canada, and it made me realize that Canada, and specifically Vancouver, is really the only place I would be able to settle down in the future. I love the fact that my country doesn’t have a overly violent history, and I love the fact that we are a peace keeping nation as opposed to an aggressive, or suppressive nation. Of course there are dark periods of Canadian history such as the mistreatment of aboriginal peoples throughout the nation and the internment of the Japanese people during the Second World War. Though these and many other parts of Canadian history are not something to be proud of, Canadians can be proud of the fact that we have learned from our past, are not fated to make the same mistakes, and have tried to make amends wherever possible. Canada is a country with so much to offer, and in my opinion the more people know about the past, the more informed they will be to make great decisions in the future.
millyzhu 1:49 pm on September 8, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is a very diverse country. It is known for its multiculturalism and abundant amount of immigrants. I was seven years old when my family emigrated from China and there were quite a lot of cultural shock. The main ones were that the ratio of people to land was unbelievably unbalanced and that there were people with different hair colours, such as brown and blond. There were many services that catered to new immigrants and areas where immigrants gathered together to make new friends and connections. However, Canada, specifically Vancouver, has more immigrants annually than other provinces and territories. With such a diverse nation, it is difficult to unite all Canadians. There may be areas where all different types of Canadians mingle for a bit, but in the end, these different types of Canadians go back to their comfort zone to those that are similar to them. Looking back at the history of Canada, this is not the first time it has happened. With the takeover of the land by Britain and establishing Canada without the consent of those originally living on the land, Canada has had major relationship complications with indigenous people. Even today, after almost one hundred fifty years, there still remain disagreements between indigenous people and the Canadian government. Even so, Canada has proven itself that it is constantly improving and learning from past mistakes, continuing to become a better country to live in for all different types of people.
angrysteve 2:57 pm on September 8, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Canada is a place where common decency has a chance to flourish. Canada is a place where the best parts of market capitalism are kept in check by common sense and sensible rules. Canada is a place inhabited by a predominantly respectful and polite people, but respectful and polite doesn’t necessarily mean ‘friendly’ by definition. Canada is place that appears better to outsiders than it truly is, due to a lack of imperialized cultural export, unlike our neighbours to the south.
A country build on immigration that does not hold a great deal of animosity towards these immigrants, Canada is not a nation of one ideal or perspective. The “christian” way of life predominates in Canada, but this is coloured by the contributions of numerous expanding cultures. In this sense, Canada is truly multicultural, while leaning towards a secular sense of government and law.
Canada is a place where we work to live, not live to work. Many of us have jobs that are not the focus of our lives, but instead provide us the means to live our lives outside the grind of employment. The most beautiful landscapes on the planet are contained within Canada’s borders, and a vast majority of Canadians make some degree of use of these resources.
Canada is a cold freaking place, no matter where you go. Sure it may get to 35+ in Toronto summers, and the average temperature in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland may be the highest in the nation, but there are no true “Sunny Beaches of Canada”. The American’s can fly out to Hawaii or Florida if they want to stay within their cultural norms but escape the ravages of winter. Canadian’s are not so lucky. We make up for it with a continual good nature; we don’t complain and we’re good at taking things in stride.
I was born and raised in Canada and it has helped make me who I am. Canadians are great people, inhabiting a great country. That is Canada in all its glory.
Angela Lin 4:26 pm on September 8, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
What I’ve known of Canada on a personal level is limited to the province of British Columbia only; that is, I’ve never lived in another city besides Vancouver nor have I had the chance to visit another Canadian province. I have to admit I haven’t been particularly interested in Canadian geography or history (and here I am trying to change that!). Most of what I know about Canada consists of a collection of geographical facts and statistics that I’ve acquired through my education over the years. I know Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of landmass. It is located south of the United State, and the two countries shared the longest common border among the world. Canada has an abundant source of fresh water and lumber, and it is famous for it’s ice wine and maple syrup. There are many stereotypes and iconic symbols concerning Canadians and Canada as a nation. Those items often include hockey, maple leafs, RCMP, grizzly bears and excessive politeness in mannerism. As of Canadian history and culture, I know that Canada used to be a British and French colony, hence the two official languages. Canada is also well known for its cultural diversity. It is a country where most of its citizens are immigrants or have ancestral roots somewhere else in the world. This unique blend of multiculturalism has shaped our government policies, education system, and made us more accepting of and open to individual and cultural differences. Canada is a country where basic human rights are respected and protected by most, and where same sex marriage is legal. It will be interesting to learn more about how we come to be who we are today as a nation. I look forward to our next lecture.