Honoring Canada

Honouring Canada Through the Educational Study of Canadian Literature

Each country throughout the world has been rewarded with native writers who succeed at their craft by creating works that radiate their country’s spirit. These literary pieces are treasured by their home country; however, foreign works that arrive and work their way into a new culture create a barrier between the native population and their roots. This process is becoming more popular over time and has caused a disconnect in Canada. Canadian students are now being forced to complete their education in schools that have adopted foreign literature and pushed away the Canadian counterpart. Canadian schools need to allow students to strictly study their country’s literature so

Until 1867, Canada was under British and French rule. The British North America Act was then instated, which allowed Canada to manage its own affairs. This event resulted in independence; however, the British and French managed to leave an imprint on Canadian culture. Over the years, other countries, such as the United States of America, have influenced Canadian society, leaving Canada flooded with foreign domination. Therefore, the Canadian culture has never had a chance to develop since the country has always received influence from foreign societies. This drastic action has made “Canada [into] an attic…stored [with] American and British literature.” 1 This external impact has affected the students of Canada and limited their exposure to Canadian literature. Throughout Canada, English students spend their days studying the works of British writers including Shakespeare and American authors such as Fitzgerald. By allowing Canadian students to become more familiar with their country’s literature, a deeper focus and appreciation will be developed towards their native

Within each Canadian’s identity is a connection to the surrounding individuals that have also decided to reside in the same magnificent country. The population shares a common bond despite the fact that they vary in beliefs, values, and overall culture. In order to stress the importance of Canada’s diversity, school curriculums should not only include English Canadian content, but also works from Canadians with different cultural backgrounds. Canada could easily experience isolation if they do not acknowledge the country’s diversity; therefore, “Canada [can no longer] have a national literature in the mode of those European lands where a long history has bound the people together, and where a homogeneous racial inheritance has given them a language, customs, and even a national dress of their own.” 2 Canadian schools must begin to reflect the variation of culture through their literature choices in order to appeal to and support Canada’s diverse population. Honouring all individuals in Canada within an English classroom will inspire and encourage students, specifically young writers. Overtime, as variation continues to increase, Canada must adapt to the new definition of Canadian identity and implement this knowledge into schools to allow students to honour their