Canada's Multiculturalism In Canadian History

Throughout Canadian history, Canada's identity has grown its reputation for being known as the multicultural country it is today. Due to its diverse cultural, Canada has shaped itself over a span of three different time periods which allowed it to have such a vast reputation for its diverse nation. Looking back through the colonial period which was between 1608-1866 in which the first steps of Canada's multiculturalism was introduced, to the early development period which was between 1867-1918 that expanded Canada's already cross-cultural nation through the Underground Railroad and finally through the post-modern period that was between 1968- present day molded Canada's identity to the diverse nation that it is known for today. Canada's diverse

African Americans were enslaved on small farms, large plantations, in cities and towns, inside homes, out in the fields, and in industry and transportation. Many were forced to work hard strenuous jobs, and were often threatened by their owner, verbally and physically. Because it slavery was located mainly throughout the south, slaves had to abide by a set of laws called the slave codes. The "railroad" itself was operating in the 1780s, but eventually shifted towards its new names as the "Underground Railroad" in the 1830s. The Underground Railroad provided escape routes for many slaves looking for a new start on life in Canada, in which slavery was abolished by 1834. The Underground railroad operated until the thirteenth amendment to the US constitution banned enslavement in 1865. By the time slavery was abolished in the states over 100, 000 slaves escaped bondage from the south between 1810 and 1850. [3] Refugees along with now free coloured people and the decedents of black loyalists began to settle all throughout British North America living in smaller towns or other larger areas across Canada. Some chose to live in all black settlements such as Dawn settlement near Dresden, Ontario, Buxton Mission, or even Queens Bush settlement. Others chose to integrate themselves into multicultural communities in towns and cities across the nation. Those who came Canada, were innovative and productive citizens and were able to start anew. During the time of the underground railroad they possessed a wide range of skills and abilities both men and women. Skills that are still seen to this day. Skills such as religious, educational, social and cultural institutions were just some of the many skills these men and women possessed .