A History of Multiculturalism in Canada

Note on Language and Terminology T eachers may wish to take this opportunity to engage in a broader conversation with their students about the concepts and language around race and racism. Pay attention to grammar, including the use of tenses, articles, and capitalization. This guide uses primarily contemporary language when referring to Canada, provinces, and cities. When it is appropriate, please discuss the historical language connected to the time frame you are examining. Multiculturalism: According to the Government of Canada, multiculturalism is about “ensuring that all citizens keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging.” Multiculturalism vs. diversity: Diversity is about individual differences, such as differences in religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomics, ability, age, or ethnicity, while multiculturalism is about societal characteristics and the interactions between different societies (cultures). Put simply, multiculturalism is the diversity of culture. Time immemorial: A period of the distant past, out of memory, not defined by specific historical dates.

First Nations peoples in Canada were initially called “Indians” by colonial Europeans, who at first believed they had landed in India. While “Indian” is no longer considered an appropriate term to describe Indigenous peoples, it is still a legal definition, primarily in reference to the Indian Act . “Aboriginal,” meanwhile, is a political and legal umbrella term that includes status and non-status First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit. “Aboriginal” and “Indigenous” are often used interchangeably, but as the current preferred term is Indigenous, it is used throughout this guide. Ceded territory: Lands granted to a party, whether as a result of a treaty, through purchase, or through other means. Lands were often ceded as a result of military or political pressure, and were the principal means that Europeans used to acquire control over territory. In Canada, Indigenous peoples and Europeans frequently had different understandings of the land ownership provisions included in treaties. Colonialism can be defined as the practices and policies of establishing control by one people or place over other people or places, or by nations and institutions over distant lands and peoples. A key element of colonialism is taking control and getting rid of anything already in place. This includes not only land, but people and their culture. Colonialism is an active and purposeful process, not an accidental one.

1998 stamp series depicting types of housing in Canada (Dreamstime.com/ Meisterphotos/ID 182401423).

All worksheets mentioned in this guide can be downloaded from the Historica Canada Education Portal at: education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/695 Other relevant guides can be found at: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/educators#education-guides Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports: nctr.ca/records/reports Map of Territories, Languages, and Treaties: native-land.ca

Online Resources

Videos, podcasts, and articles from The Canadian Encyclopedia (TCE) mentioned in this guide can be found at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca . Search for relevant videos and articles by their titles, and find more activities and resources on multiculturalism.

Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada: indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca

3