Who We Are
Known globally as a strong and free country.
The oldest continuous constitutional tradition in the world.
The only constitutional monarchy in North America.
Governed by: Peace, Order, and Good Government (1867 British North America Act)
Canadian Values - ordered liberty, enterprise, hard work, fair play
Called the “Great Dominion” in poetry and song.
Three Founding Peoples
Aboriginal Peoples
Migrated from Asia thousands of years ago.
Culturally diverse with spiritual beliefs tied to nature and the Creator.
Royal Proclamation 1763 (King George III) - Guaranteed Aboriginal rights.
Residential schools (1800s–1980s):
- Forced assimilation of Aboriginal children into residential schools.
- Cultural/language bans & physically abused.
- Ottawa formally apologized to former students in 2008.
Three recognized groups:
- Indians (65%), aka First Nations (term since the 1970s) – Not Inuit or Métis.
- Métis (30%) – mixed Aboriginal/European ancestry; speak Michif.
- Inuit (4%) – live in the Arctic; skilled in land/sea survival.
French Canadians
Descendants of early European settlers (1600s–1700s).
Quebecers - people of Quebec; the majority French-speaking.
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Recognized as a nation within a united Canada in 2006.
Acadians - descendants of early settlers in the Maritimes provinces (1604).
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Great Upheaval - deportation of Acadians by the British (1755 and 1763).
Today, there are about 7 million Francophones (French speakers).
British Canadians
Descendants of English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish settlers (1600s - 20th century).
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Built the foundation of English-speaking Canadian life.
Anglophones, aka English Canadians.
Today, there are about 18 million Anglophones (English speakers).
New Brunswick is the only Official Bilingual Province.
Diversity in Canada
John Buchan (Governor General, 1935 - 40) said:
- Should retain their individuality and each make its contribution to the national character.”
The majority of Canadians were born in Canada, yet it is the land of immigrants for 200+ years.
Largest ethnic groups - English, French, Scottish, Irish, German, Italian, Chinese, Aboriginal, Ukrainian, Dutch, South Asian, Scandinavian
Since the 1970s, most immigrants have come from Asia.
Chinese languages are #2 most spoken at home in Toronto (7%) and Vancouver (13%).
The majority of Canadians are Christian (mostly Catholic, then Protestant).
Gay and lesbian Canadians are treated equally under the law.
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Including the right to civil marriage.
Marjorie Turner-Bailey of Nova Scotia - Descendant of Black loyalists (fled slavery in America in the 1780s); slavery remained legal in America until 1863.