Who We Are Flashcards
What is the significance of the phrase ‘Peace, Order and Good Government’ in Canada?
It is a key phrase in Canada’s original constitutional document, the British North America Act of 1867.
This phrase reflects the foundational principles of Canadian governance.
What are the three founding peoples of Canada?
Aboriginal, French, and British.
These groups have significantly influenced Canadian culture and identity.
What does the term ‘Aboriginal peoples’ encompass in Canada?
It refers to three distinct groups: Indian, Inuit, and Métis.
Each group has unique cultural and historical backgrounds.
When were Aboriginal and treaty rights first guaranteed in Canada?
Through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III.
This proclamation established the basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers.
What was the purpose of residential schools for Aboriginal children?
To educate and assimilate them into mainstream Canadian culture.
These schools were poorly funded and often inflicted hardship on students.
What term began to be used in the 1970s to refer to Aboriginal peoples?
First Nations.
This term is now widely accepted and used in Canada.
What achievements have Aboriginal peoples made in contemporary Canada?
Significant achievements in agriculture, the environment, business, and the arts.
This reflects a renewed pride and confidence among Aboriginal communities.
True or False: Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America.
True.
This distinguishes Canada’s political system from others in the continent.
Fill in the blank: The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from _______.
Asia.
This migration occurred thousands of years ago.
What has been a historical issue regarding treaties with Aboriginal peoples in Canada?
Treaties were not always fully respected.
This has led to ongoing disputes and challenges in Aboriginal rights.
What is the geographical range of Canada, from its Atlantic shores to the _______.
Pacific Ocean and to the Arctic Circle.
This highlights the vastness and diversity of the Canadian landscape.
Who was John Buchan?
1st Baron Tweedsmuir, popular Governor General of Canada (1935-40)
Buchan emphasized the importance of immigrant groups retaining their individuality while contributing to the national character.
What does ‘Inuit’ mean?
‘The people’ in Inuktitut language
Inuit communities are small and scattered across the Arctic.
What is the heritage of the Métis people? Where do they live and whats their language?
Mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry
The majority live in the Prairie provinces and speak their own dialect, Michit.
What percentage of Aboriginal people are First Nations?
65%
The remaining percentages are 30% Métis and 4% Inuit.
What are Canada’s official languages?
English and French
These languages reflect the English-speaking and French-speaking Christian civilizations brought by settlers.
How many Anglophones live in Canada?
18 million
Anglophones speak English as their first language.
How many Francophones are there in Canada?
7 million
Francophones speak French as their first language, with the majority in Quebec.
Which province is the only officially bilingual province in Canada?
New Brunswick
New Brunswick has a significant population of both Anglophones and Francophones.
Who are the Acadians?
Descendants of French colonists in the Maritime provinces
The Acadians began settling in 1604 and faced deportation during the Great Upheaval (1755-1763).
What was the ‘Great Upheaval’?
Deportation of more than two-thirds of Acadians from 1755 to 1763
This event occurred during the war between Britain and France.
What is the identity of Quebecers?
French-speaking majority with unique culture and language
Quebecers are primarily descendants of 8,500 French settlers from the 1600s and 1700s.
What recognition did the House of Commons give to Quebecers in 2006?
That Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada
This acknowledgment highlights the distinct identity of Quebecers.
How long is the heritage of Anglo-Quebecers?
250 years
Anglo-Quebecers are a vibrant part of the Quebec fabric.
What is expected of newcomers in becoming Canadian?
Newcomers are expected to embrace democratic principles such as the rule of law
This includes rejecting violent, extreme, or hateful prejudices.
Who were the foundational settlers in English-speaking areas of Canada?
English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish settlers, soldiers, and migrants from the 1600s to the 20th century
These groups laid the foundations of Canadian society.
What term is generally used to refer to English speakers in Canada?
English Canadians
This term reflects the British origins of many Anglophones.
What has been true about the majority of Canadians since the 1800s?
The majority of Canadians were born in Canada
This contrasts with the perception of Canada as a land of immigrants.
Why is Canada referred to as a land of immigrants?
Millions of newcomers have helped to build and defend Canadian life over the past 200 years
Immigrants have significantly contributed to the nation’s development.
What are some of the largest ethnic groups in Canada?
- English
- French
- Scottish
- Irish
- German
- Italian
- Chinese
- Aboriginal
- Ukrainian
- Dutch
- South Asian
- Scandinavian
These groups coexist and contribute to Canada’s diversity.
From which regions have most immigrants come to Canada since the 1970s?
Asian countries
This shift reflects changing global migration patterns.
What is the second most-spoken non-official language in Canadian homes?
Chinese languages
Chinese languages are the second most-spoken at home, after English, in Vancouver and Toronto.
What percentage of the population in Vancouver speaks Chinese languages at home?
13%
This figure represents the proportion of the population in Vancouver that speaks Chinese languages at home.
What percentage of the population in Toronto speaks Chinese languages at home?
7%
This figure represents the proportion of the population in Toronto that speaks Chinese languages at home.
What is the largest religious affiliation in Canada?
Catholic
The majority of Canadians identify as Christians, with Catholic being the largest group.
What religious groups are growing in Canada besides Christianity?
Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and members of other religions
The number of people stating ‘no religion’ is also increasing.
What role has the state traditionally played in relation to faith communities in Canada?
Partnered to promote social welfare, harmony and mutual respect
This includes providing schools and health care, resettling refugees, and upholding religious freedom.
True or False: Gay and lesbian Canadians do not have equal treatment under the law in Canada.
False
Gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy full protection and equal treatment under the law.
What is the common identity shared by diverse groups in Canada?
Canadian identity
This identity contributes to Canada’s multicultural society.
Who is Olympian Marjorie Turner-Bailey?
A descendant of black Loyalists, escaped Slaves and freed men and women of African origin
She is from Nova Scotia and her ancestors fled to Canada in the 1780s.
In what year did slavery remain legal in America until?
1863
This year marks the end of legal slavery in America.
