Page 1 UNIT 1 MULTICULTURALISM INTRODUCTION - Canada has always been a Multicultural Nation. 1) Natives had different languages and cultures. 2) Immigration from Europe, Asia, Africa - People from over 100 different cultures live in Canada. - In 1971 Canada adopted a policy of multiculturalism within a bilingual framework. Define: - This means 2 official languages but everyone has a right to maintain their own cultural heritage. 1) Culture 2) Multi-culture 3) Multiculturalism - Why are cultures so different? 1) the various cultures developed in different locations 2) Their development was influenced by their: a) environment b) history c) neighbours - Why then didn't they lose their cultural traits when they immigrated?
Page 2 - Culture is learned - babies know nothing about culture at birth - Socialization teaches children how to understand their culture. - they learn their language in order to communicate with others - Socialization begins with 1) family 2) school (students with same cultural background) 3) books 4) movies 5) T.V. - Question? - What is Canadian Culture? - Answer - Canadian culture contains elements from cultures all over the world. MELTING POT VS. MULTICULTURALISM (MOSAIC)
Page 3 HISTORY OF CANADA'S MULTICULTURAL NATURE 1) First Nations (20000-10000 B.C.) - one theory says they migrated across a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska following animals - adapted well to new homeland. - Six major Groups 2) French (1600-1759) 1) North West Coast 2) Plateau 3) Plains 4) Eastern Woodlands 5) Arctic 6) Subarctic - looking for riches but found furs/fish. - first settlement Port Royal (1605) - Quebec - (1608) - Established colony of New France - Britain vs. France - war - New France surrenders in 1760-1763 New France became a British colony. - Today French people are one of the largest cultural groups. 3) The Loyalists (1776-1786) - 1775 rebellion in 13 colonies - The rebels wanted to be governed separately (wanted to be U.S.A.) - Those who stayed loyal to Britain were known as Loyalists. - 1783 rebels won war and 50,000 Loyalists went to Canada.
Page 4 4) Great Migration (1815-1850) - Economic conditions were poor in Europe (unemployment). - Potato Famine in Ireland and political unrest were also factors. - Canada's population increased from 1/2 million in 1815-2 1/2 million in 1851. - 60% were British making them the largest cultural group in Canada. 5) Post Confederation Migration (1867-1914) - After Canada became a country many people migrated west. - Offered free homesteads of 160 acres to new settlers. - Set up C.P.R. to encourage settlers. - They didn't come to the west in great numbers until 1896. a) By this time all good land in the U.S. had been taken up. b) New types of wheat were introduced which grew in shorter growing season. c) Government encouraged non-british immigration. d) Steamships became faster/cheaper. e) Gold was discovered in Yukon. 6) 20th CENTURY IMMIGRATION (1919 - today) - little immigration during war. - 1 1/2 million immigrants came after 1920. - There were more non-british immigrants. - Great Depression (1930's) and World War II reduced immigration. - After World War II immigration from all over world continued.
Page 5 RACISM KU KLUX KLAN - U.S. Terrorist Organization - Against: 1) Blacks 5) Japanese 2) Homosexuals 6) Natives 3) Jews 7) Minority Groups 4) Catholics - Founded in Tennessee 1866 - General Nathan Bedford Forrest (Former slave trader). - Operated in secrecy. - Main Goal = restoration of white supremacy in southern states. - Dress in white sheets/hoods. - Murdered and mutilated their captives. - Burned people alive. - Burning crosses. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (1929-1968) - Black Civil Rights leader. - led the Bus Boycott (1956) back of the Bus/Bus Segregation. - Wanted civil rights for Blacks. - Took part in 1963 Freedom March on Washington. - Took part in 1965 Voter Registration March. - 1968 in Memphis Tennessee King was shot by a white assassin.
Page 6 SLAVERY - During 1800's. - Africans brought over from Africa. - Civil War was war to end slavery. - North vs. South. - President Lincoln was against slavery. - President Jefferson/President Washington had slaves. CONCENTRATION CAMPS - 1939 - six concentration camps. - 1945-24 concentration camps and hundreds of auxiliary camps. - held 7,000,000 inmates 1) Auschwitz 2) Belsen 3) Buchenwald 4) Dachau - Nuremberg Trials - Many Nazi leaders were convicted of crimes against humanity.
Page 7 CANADA'S IMMIGRATION POLICY - There are rules concerning immigration into Canada. - Sets standards so we pick immigrants: 1) Who will contribute to Canada's economy. 2) Who are persecuted. 3) Who want to be reunited with families. 4) Who will be self supporting (not welfare). 5) Who's skills are needed in Canada. 6) Who have a) money b) knowledge That are needed in Canada c) expertise 7) Who will not compete for other Canadians' jobs. - Immigrants must apply to come to Canada from their place of origin. 1st = Family Class Three Classes of Immigration 1) Close relatives of Canadian Citizen's. 2nd = Refugee Class 1) Forced to leave land because of a) war b) persecution 3rd = Independent Class 1) all other people
Page 8 - The Immigration Acts Prohibits People: 1) Who pose a threat to public health. 2) Who pose a threat to public safety. 3) Who pose a threat to public order. 4) Who pose a threat to public national security. 5) Who have serious diseases. 6) Who disregard the law. - How do the cultures in Canada get along? - Three types of relationships. 1) Assimilation 2) Segregation 3) Integration TYPES OF CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS 1) Occurs when cultural group adopts language, values, attitudes and traditions of dominant group. (loses its identity) 2) Occurs when one cultural group is kept apart from the dominant group. 3) Occurs when one cultural group keeps some distinctive traits while taking on many of the values, attitudes and traditions of the dominant group.
Page 9 CHALLENGES FOR OUR MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY - Culture is very important in our lives. - Over time we may begin to believe that our way of life is the "Right" way. - Other cultures may appear strange or "Wrong". - We may see their culture as being inferior to ours because it is different. - The belief that our culture is superior to others is called ETHNOCENTRISM. - This causes difficulties between cultural groups along with prejudice and discrimination. PREJUDICE = unfavourable opinion (not based on fact) about a group. DISCRIMINATION = denying a group equal treatment. 1) team refusing girls to play 2) landlord refusing to rent to other cultures - These two things can cause much damage in a society where multiculturalism is dominant.
Page 10 FIRST NATIONS - Early Europeans made little effort to understand native way of life. - Instead they saw themselves as superior. - They tried to convince the Aboriginals to adopt European cultures. - They had no wish to give up their own cultures. 1) The First Nations were exposed to diseases that killed thousands. 2) Trading with Europeans led to intense economic rivalry with other tribes. 3) Europeans gave the First Nations guns which increased the death toll in tribal wars. 4) Aboriginals became involved in European wars. 5) Europeans took First Nation land for their expanding population. 6) First Nations were weakened by contact with Europeans. - Europeans wanted First Nations people to adopt their culture so in 1867 they adopted the INDIAN ACT. ITS MAIN INTENTIONS 1) Develop unified way of handling affairs of First Nations. 2) Encourage First Nations to adopt European culture. - They felt that making the First Nations adopt their culture would improve their lives. - Government began sending First Nation children to residential schools away from reserves. - Government took control over major decisions involving First Nation life. - Recently Canadians have begun to recognize that the First Nation peoples have been treated with Ethnocentrism.
- The slow process of changing this relationship with the First Nations has begun. Page 11 eg. 1) their involvement in the constitutional talks. 2) settlement of land claims. 3) restoring self government to First Nations. 4) reserves are running their own schools. 5) From 1980-1987 reserve run schools increased from 100-250 6) Teachers are increasingly being of First Nation persuasion. 7) Band operated schools are great success. 8) Main reason for the great increase in number of native students in postsecondary educational institutions is the Band operated schools. 1975 = 2500 in Post-secondary educational institutions 1987 = 12500 in Post-secondary educational institutions