Chapter 2: How do you Define Citizenship

Introduction Think about what it means to be Canadian – We’re talking our rights, our responsibilities, our customs, values, etc... So how do you define a Canadian? Canada is a “Salad Bowl” nation rather than a “Melting Pot”. – Is this good or bad... Think about it!

Citizenship and the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Who Were the Aboriginal Peoples? Three distinct groups... – First Nations, Inuit, and Metis They are mostly the same as everyone else, but they have a special right to “Self- Government” – They get to control their health, education, housing, etc. – They have been treated poorly by the Canadian Government in the past forced out of land Had the “Indian Act” of 1876 that banned ancient practices

Canada tried to “Assimilate” the natives – We had residential schools that took kids away from their families – 100,000 kids attended these schools – Eventually it was decided that this was wrong and “survivors” were given 1.9 billion dollars as a settlement. Aboriginals have become increasingly politically active over the last century – Formed the National Indian Brotherhood in 1968 – Assembly of First Nations which still exists today and serves as a voice in Ottawa Many argue that Aboriginals do not share equally in Canada’s prosperity... What do you think?... (This is a thorny issue!) – Canada is ranked very high on the HDI but aboriginals in Canada continue to rank very low (life expectancy, education, income) Organization and Assimilation... (  Hey Look! Isms!)

Two European Founders Brief History Reminders... – First European to arrive in Canada was Jacques Cartier in 1534 (from France) – France established the first Colony in Acadia – In 1759 they were defeated by the British and Canada became a British Colony – To make friends with the French, the British let them keep their language and religeon – In 1867 the British North America Act creates a unified Canada and formally recognizes French-Language Rights – Lots of talk about Separation... The FLQ and the PQ... Pierre Trudeau passes the Official Languages Act in 1969 – Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says parents have the right to have their children educated in their language... Even if they are the minority

The British – Following the American Revolution many British move north to stay British Citizens – United Empire Loyalists – over 40000! – So many that Canada became a predominantly English Nation – Many Scottish people move to the eastern areas as well– Nova Scotia (New Scotland) – Lots of Irish people cross as well– Escaped mass starvation in Ireland

Canadian Immigration Immigration has changed in Canada to a drastic degree over the last 150 years. – Originally Canada only wanted White people– like Ukrainians, Scandinavians, Americans... – Eventually they let 15,000 Chinese in, but only to work on the Railroads (they were not allowed citizenship) – Only 400 Japanese were allowed in per year! – A head tax needed to be paid on every Chinese person who entered – 50$ a person

Until 1947 there was no such thing as “citizenship”. You were considered “subjects of the British Empire living in Canada”. By 1960 immigration policy began to change– prejudice was slowly fading so that people were judged less on just the colour of their skin or ethnicity. The “Points System” is developed in 1976 where you are allowed in based on your understanding of our Languages, level of education, and job skills Recently, as a result, the primary sources of immigration have changed from Europe to Africa and Asia – In 1960 only 3.2% of our immigrants came from Asia. Today over 58% are! How could this change the character of our nation? We also are one of the world’s largest refugee- receiving nations

Citizenship and Multiculturalism Canada is the first nation in the world to adopt Multiculturalism as an official policy – This allows immigrants to keep their own language, heritage, and identity when they move here (keeps them from being assimilated) This policy helps us the value diversity as a people instead of just accepting it – Human Rights Day – National Aboriginal Day – Black History Month – Asian Heritage Month

For Journal Entry Review the “Immigration: Open Borders or Lockdown?” article on page 42 Read and critically examine questions 1-3 Answer questions 1-3 Be sure that you have at least 1 paragraph (4-5 sentences at least) to make your points Be sure that your paragraphs are organized properly (topic sentence, example, explain, concluding sentence) Review the “Immigration: Open Borders or Lockdown?” article on page 42 Read and critically examine questions 1-3 Answer questions 1-3 Be sure that you have at least 1 paragraph (4-5 sentences at least) to make your points Be sure that your paragraphs are organized properly (topic sentence, example, explain, concluding sentence)