The early inquiry into the study, teaching and research of Canada was done through the work of Thomas H.B. Symons’ report, To Know Ourselves, which was complied in 1975. Commissioned and published by the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada as a groundbreaking work for Canadian Studies scholarship. Since the report was published thirty-nine years ago, it raises several points that can be expanded given our ability to look at key aspects retrospectively. The eight specific matters that the commission aimed to explore are still pressing issues in twenty-first century Canadian Studies, as such: courses at undergrad and graduate levels, location, nature and function of programs, access to Canadian materials, financial and research support, teaching requirements and the need for new programs (Verduyn & Koustas 19-20). Years later, these objectives and subsequent questions are still the basis of Canadian Studies progress, which outlines a major strength. The work of the commission, from today’s perspective, is such a progressive and honest look at the past, as well as what they hoped would be apart of the future. The commission itself looked at the larger picture and not the single context of one institution, region or field (25). The larger picture must have been difficult to establish, however not impossible, given that often individuals use smaller pictures to develop the larger. The promotion of “[Canadian] culture, social conditions, physical setting and place in the world” (25), among several other things is very important. It is a basis for what Canadian Studies “does.” It is, the building and understanding of Canada, and it remains central to the work of Canadian Studies scholars both in the country itself and abr...
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...The lack of large-scale interest in understanding ones own country was a problem in 1975 and is still today a major issue. The report was directed “to whom it many concern” and that would still be the larger target audience for another work looking at the state of affairs in Canadian Studies today. There is an unparalleled merit in the study of the country and it is disheartening when individuals of their own nation are not willing to acknowledge that, when other countries are eager to. Canada as a country facilitates so many thoughts and opinions however people are often unsure as to how to qualify or back these odds and ends that when attempted to be understood and interpreted help the building of a larger understanding. The work of progress is slow, but it is present, especially in the work of Canadian Studies and its growing awareness and scholarship in Canada.
Ana-Mauríne Lara’s Erzulie’s Skirt positions the female body as the scene where lives are interconnected across history and as a dissertation of the human condition. Her protagonists, Micaela and Miriam, tell a story of love, struggle, and survival that echoes the historical significance of slavery and the Caribbean middle passage across time and space. Divided into several sections based on time and location, one particular period in Lara’s novel connects Micaela and Miriam’s experiences most closely with slavery as a whole. After a voyage across the Mona Strait as an attempt to escape from the conditions in the Dominican Republic, they find themselves captured, trapped in a brothel, and forced into prostitution. Many parallels can be drawn to interpret Lara’s use of the brothel as a metaphor for the slave ships used to travel across the original Middle Passage, including the comparable use of people as commodities, the specific imagery and language Lara uses, the historical narrative presented at the beginning of each section, and the larger themes in which identities were simultaneously stripped by oppression and also preserved within the context of community and spirituality.
Quebec’s social identity and defining characteristics contradict and conflict with those of rest of Canada. Since the genesis of our country, the political, social disagreements, and tensions between Quebec and the rest of Canada have been unavoidable. Utilizing Hiller’s key contradictions in the analysis of a Canadian society, we will compare and contrast the nature of the societal identity in Quebec compared to that of rest of Canada, emphasising on the major differences and tensions between the province and the rest of the country.
Wilson, J. Bradely Cruxton and W. Douglas. Spotlight Canada Fourth Edition. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2000.
To draw a conclusion it is inevitable to highlight the significance change not only to Canada´s self-understanding, but also in the world´s appearance that the Statute of Westminster caused. It was the last of the Imperial Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain applicable to all dominions and therefore it marks the end of the great, superordinate British Empire which was one of the major forces throughout many centuries in history. Even though the Commonwealth technically remains, new autonomous countries were finally able to be more than just an extension of the the mother-country. Thus, many of them became remarkable powers with an own identity and own intentions on the world stage themselves, such as the country we live in, Canada.
Stevenson, Garth. "Canadian Federalism: The Myth of the Status Quo." Reinventing Canada: Politics of the 21st Century. Ed. M. Janine Brodie and Linda Trimble. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2003. 204-14. Print.
The post-war time was a period where major changes were occurring. After being involved in two international conflicts, Canada was ready to reestablish their economy. During this time, Canada had started working on ways to become stronger and reputable. It is evident that Canada had matured through the post-war era. Canada’s economic progress left a positive impact on the growth of the country as consumerism became popular, and economic ties with America became stronger. Moreover, the removal of racial and ethical barriers contributed to Canadian social affairs such as the huge wave of immigration and the baby boom. The Canadian government also had become more aware and involved in issues impacting Canadian citizens. Canada as a whole started identifying itself as an independent nation and participating in events that brought a positive reputation amongst them. These economical, social, and legal changes helped Canada mature into the country it is today.
Quinlan, Don, Doug Baldwin, Rick Mahoney, and Kevin Reed. The Canadian Challenge. N.p.: Oxford University Press, 2008.
O DODSON, Edward. “Canada: an idea that must survive”. Online at: http://www.uni.ca/livreouvert/dodson_e.html , consulted on February 9, 2004.
Do you know that despite Canada being called multicultural and accepting, Canada’s history reveals many secrets that contradicts this statement? Such an example are Canadian aboriginals, who have faced many struggles by Canadian society; losing their rights, freedoms and almost, their culture. However, Native people still made many contributions to Canadian society. Despite the efforts being made to recognize aboriginals in the present day; the attitudes of European Canadians, acts of discrimination from the government, and the effects caused by the past still seen today have proven that Canadians should not be proud of Canada’s history with respect to human rights since 1914.
Thompson, John Herd, and Mark Paul Richard. "Canadian History in North American Context." In Canadian studies in the new millennium. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2008. 37-64.
Chong, M. R. (2002). Canadian History Since WWI. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from Markville: http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/history/history/fivecent.html
Two history texts by Bumstead and Silver will be considered. The manner in which they organize Canadian history into logical and comprehensive periods will be taken into account. Each text establishes a chronological framework and within this, creates historical periods. Each period is intended to represent as logically as possible, the major cultural inclinations, political and social events, and thematic trends occurring within that period. Bumstead and Silver outline several broad periods, then delve into each period with a precise focus. Silver has a social focus within each period, and Bumstead has a thematic focus.
In conclusion Canada gained independence because of a series of events that took place during the twentieth century. If it hadn’t been for these events, Canada to this day might have been a part of the British Empire. Through discussion on the Chanak affair we signalled that we wanted autonomy. Through our hard work and lives, the world knew we had the ability to stand alone as a strong nation. While, our international reputation of being a “peacekeeping” country the right to stand as an independent self-governing nation. But finally through the Canada Act, we stood solely independent from our Empire. It is obvious that the twentieth century provided us with great chances to become an independent strong nation.
... Ed. W. Gordon West and Ruth Morris. Toronto, Canada: A Canadian Scholar? Press, 2000.
Since Canada did not start off as a multicultural nation, how was its identity shaped and molded to the way it is today? We must first understand how Canada differs from other countries in terms of multiculturalism and what the current situation is. Eva Mackey explains that one of the key features that differentiate Canada from the US in terms of national identity and multiculturalism, is a dual process “entailing the management of population and the creation of national identity” (Mackey 2010:1). What Bannerji would add onto the fact that Canada’s nation-building process is different from the US’s is that multiculturalism is “a state-initiated enterprise in Canada, with a legal and a governing apparatus consisting of legislation and official policies with appropriate administrative bureaus” (Bannerji 2000:538). Canada’s policy on multiculturalism was announced in 1971 and the goal of it was to “improve the quality of intercultural relations” (Berry