1. Related Issue #1 Should our identity be based on our nation?
KEY ISSUE: To what extent should we embrace nationalism

2. What is a nation?

3. Elements of a nation Ethnicity Language
Shared characteristics (racial, culture, linguistic) because of shared ancestry
Language
Sharing language helps people see the world in similar ways
People who speak a language fluently can understand each other deeply
Collective language (us, our, we)

4. Culture Religion Geography
The way of life that people share bring them together
Religion
Priests, elders. Mullahs, imams, ministers and other religious leaders pass on traditions that help people share religious beliefs
Geography
Mountains, oceans and deserts are physical barriers that isolate people and they develop their own ways

5. Spirituality Politics Relationship to land
Spiritual connections unite people
Politics
Any group of people who have sovereignty or even the desire for sovereignty have a sense of belonging
Relationship to land
Different land provides different resources and different resources influence the way people live

6. Is Canada a “nation”? Test Canada’s nation status against the criteria
Element of a nation
Relevance to Canada
There is a common racial and/or ethnic background of the people
There is a common territory (land)
There is a common history, common traditions, and a common religion
The people have common interests and goals politically
The people speak a common language

7. A new Canada

8. Canada as a civic nation?
Civic nation means that a nation exists, made up of people who share certain political beliefs but are different in ethnicity, language, culture, religion etc

9. Aspects of a Civic nation
Support for social programs
Freedom of Press
Equal opportunity for all
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Active citizenship
A government that reflects the will of the people
Free and Fair elections
Constitution
Outlines the basic rules that society is based on
Canada’s first 34 sections are Charter of Rights and Freedoms

10. Identity and Nation Human desire to belong is strong
Idea of a nation sparks powerful feelings of belonging
People make conscious and unconscious decisions to include national symbols/identity as part of their individual identity

11. How is nation part of who you are?
Aspects of your identity
Connection to a nation

12. What is nationalism?

13. Expressions of Nationalism
Currency
Borders
Official languages
Wars
Politics
Territory
Flag
Anthem
Propaganda
Religion

14. Setting the stage for Change: Factors that influence the Development of Nationalism
Historical Factors
Ancestry
Language
Common past experiences
Political Factors
Representative government vs dictatorship vs monarch
Geographic Factors
Large vs small territory
Island vs land locked

15. Economic Factors Social Factors Debt Developing Rich vs poor
Changes in thoughts and philosophies (shift in ideology)
Rights
Quality of life
Population
Religion
Structure
Language

16. Results of Nationalism
War
Countries forming/splitting
Industrialization
Imperialism

17. Loyalty firmly committed or faithful to someone or something
Syn. allegiance, devotion, attachment, patriotism
loyal to an idea, a value, a cause, or a nation or to other people no matter what it is very personal and significant in different situations

18. Show your loyalty
show it publicly (at a protest or celebration) or privately (ceremony or an agreement)
RAMS t-shirt
Sing national anthem
Wave an oilers flag at a game
Maple leaf pin on your backpack
Reclaiming your heritage name (tribal, inuit etc)

19. Nationalist Loyalties
when you are committed or faithful to a nation
patriotism=love for ones nation/country
many groups affirm their nationalist loyalties through a variety of ways (i.e. parades, celebrations, protests, reclaiming, place names)
can create conflict if you are loyal to more than one nation or if two groups loyal to different nations different things (conflicts over territory, language rights, human rights and natural resources)

20. Canada and Nationalist Loyalties
Canada is a pluralistic society which encourages and promotes people form various cultures to affirm and promote unique cultural identities (aka multiculturalism)
Reasonable accommodations are made in Canada to help people feel that they can express themselves.

21. Reasonable Accommodations
Lots of NEW Canadians find comfort in the freedom to express non Canadian loyalties
1990 Sikh RCMP allowed to wear turban instead of Stetson
2007 Quebec had issues with allowing accommodations and refused to let an 11yr old girls play soccer in her hijab

22. Non Nationalist Loyalties
Loyalty that is not related to the idea of a nation
Religious
loyal to the beliefs and values of a religion and community that shares those beliefs
e.g. Irish Catholics vs Protestants
Regional
loyal to promoting economic, social and political interested of a specific region
e.g. Oil tax on Western Canada and none on Eastern (1980s)
Cultural
loyal to values and ways of life of a group
e.g. Oil Sands development and first nations
Class
loyal to your social status based on wealth, level of education, ancestry, heritage etc
e.g. Protesting and demonstrating for workers rights
Ethnic
Loyal to people that share same cultures and ethnic background
e.g.

23. Contending Loyalties when there is a struggle between two loyalties
can cause conflicts within a person or within a larger population
loyalties can change based on time, money, emotions, situations every day

24. Examples of Contending Loyalties
Canada Day celebrations and Day of mourning in NFLD
Israelis and Palestinians want to control say territory
Quebec sovereignty vote came down to 50.52% NO and 49.42% YES
Winnipeg General Strike in 1919
Ireland’s long history of conflict between Catholics and Protestants
Alberta oil and gas industry vs government (1970s, 80s)
Alberta development of oil sands

25. Reconciling Loyalties
There are three options
Live with it!
Choose one loyalty over the other
Accommodate by bringing change to a nation

26. Live with it!
Reasons people might choose to live with their loyalties in conflict
Too hard to choose
Occupied by other issues
Easier than taking action
Believe they cannot make a difference

27. Choose one over the other
When people are forced to choose one loyalty over the other they typically are forced to sacrifice an important part of their identity which leads to the feelings of alienation
e.g. Michaelle Jean (Gov Gen) gave up her French citizenship so Canadians knew she was truly Canadian

28. Bring about change in society
2003 Alberta
Hutterite colony
Fought to be exempt from putting their pictures on their license for religious reasons
1957 American South
Little Rock Arkansas
Brown Trickey

29. Should nation be the foundation for identity
Are they related
How is nationalism shaped
Contending loyalties
Reconciling loyalties