The Road to Equality

At first Canada accepted immigrants through an immigrant act that judged their physicality- decided by skin tone, language, culture expression, etc. But as time progressed, Canada created a point based system yo determine who immigrated to Canada. It was a more fair system because it judged people by their occupational skills, and not their appearance. It was out of 10-15 and points were based on if they knew English/French, were at a good age to do labor, had family in Canada, how educated they were, and if they were immigrating to a region of high employment.

Once that was implemented into the immigration act, more amendments were made to the act. Canada’s immigration act gradually converted into a non-bias system.

To reach a point of peace took a very long time. For many years after all races were welcome to Canada, they lived in great poverty. White people being the majority, segregated others and left them to live poorly (although they complained that they had no worth). When the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was established in 1982, rights of all citizens were protected and Canada finally reached equality.

The CPR and a Dispute of Equality

Canada was not always the happy-go-lucky country it is perceived to be today. Before multiculturalism was implemented into Canadian law, the Canadian government believed in a “White Canada”. Canada was to be basically the complete opposite that it is today. There were to be no evident diversity in culture, region, and skin color. Therefore, the only immigrants that were accepted into Canada were from countries like Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, etc. These races of people (if permitted) would maintain Canada’s image of a white Canada.

Soon enough Canada had no choice but to make exceptions the idea of a white Canada. Due to lack of labor force and a large opening for employment (the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)) in 1881, Canada decided to open up their immigration policy to those of other skin color. These people were mainly from China who had many push factors to leave their country. Their desperation to make a living prompted Canada to take advantage of their immigration. China men were paid less than Canadian men when working on the CPR and were also given the most dangerous tasks. Many died, and was a very common occurrence that went almost unnoticed, almost similar to Aboriginals and how they were treated.

Canada recognized their success in retaining extra money while maintaining its economy and so they implemented a head tax onto any china man who wished to immigrate to Canada. Each applied immigrant would have to pay $50 before entering Canada. $50 was worth a lot more back then, and so it was a struggle for many. What it did was force Chinese families to send 1-2 men to Canada (men because only they would be able to make a living considering the types of jobs that were available).

White Canadians began to despise the Chinese. The Chinese were more efficient because they dared not to upset their employer and get sent back to China. Canadian men believed that they should be paid much more than China men because they did not immigrate- Canada was their home country. And so they believed that there should be nothing close to equality between these 2 races. In the end, the English being the majority and the Chinese being the minority, the government was still in favor of a “white Canada”. There was evident dominance over Chinese immigrants, and the Chinese took it. They could not risk being deported from Canada when there were so many push factors to accommodate.

The construction of the CPR had to purpose to unite Canada as a country. As a result, it failed to do so. China men did most of the work, were paid very low wages, accounted for majority of the deaths on site, and did not complain. Following the construction of the CPR, Chinese were still not recognized as at least equals. Their living conditions remained poor.

A Tour of Chinatown

May 2014, my Socials Studies class went on a tour of Historic Chinatown, Vancouver, B.C. Since it is close to home, we decided to tour around and sight see historic artifacts/buildings/memorials to give us an even deeper understanding of both Chinese culture and Canadian history. Here are some pictures I took on the tour:

Immigration to Canada

Immigration to Canada is very popular. Approximately 250,000 people immigrate to Canada per year due to prominent push and pull factors they are effected by. What are push and pull factors?

Push Factors

As shown and explained in the above 2 pictures, push factors are basically what drives a person out of a country. Factors like a drought, poor harvests/housing, poverty, lack of employment, a change of government, lack of safety/expression/rights, war etc, are common push factors.

 

Pull Factors

Also shown in the above 2 pictures, pull factors are what attracts a person into a country. Common pull factors to Canada are employment, family, 1st world economy, a second chance at life/clean slate, attractive governing, fertile land, safety, no war, etc.

 

Although not all factors have been accounted for, I think it’s safe to say that all of these factors come together to make specific conclusions: push and pull factors work together to show that a person is unhappy with where they are in life and they seek for a better future. That is the reason for immigration, not only to Canada, but to anywhere in the world. Immigrants are not content with their present state/seek for more than what they have. They are driven to immigrate in hope that they can fulfill their needs and desires.

A Multicultural Reputation

Today Canada is known for being one of the most multicultural countries in the world. It is known for the gracious acceptance of a person of any race into it’s country. Canada is known for not discriminating by race because everyone is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, therefore no applied immigrant can be racially profiled and denied due to their race. Canada deserves a pat on the back for that. It’s amazing to imagine a place where you are accepted for who you are, what you are proud of, and what you can’t change. It is also nice that Canada will allow you to keep practicing your religions and cultures as you please. It is a land of freedom and equality.

However, many people have come to the conclusion that Canada is failing in their pursuit to create a truly multicultural and non-discriminatory country. Current events in the news reveal to us that the Canadian government isn’t as honest as they should be. Many people believe that Canada says them to be a fair country, but behind the scenes are governing in a way that contradicts their alleged intents. Things like accepting immigrants into Canada for economic reasons lead to the conclusion that the Canadian government needs some explaining to do. What are they hiding? Are we truly a multicultural country? What is the government’s intents? Does Canada deserve it’s glorifying reputation?

Here is a 5 minute video that introduces several perspectives on the matter. Be aware of potential bias.

Video courtesy of Youtube, Xtranormal, and bubblyjigglypuff!

 

Further Thinking

After watching this video, what are your thoughts? What were your preconceived ideas on Canada? Have they changed? There is no implication that Canada is a terrible country here, but it is always interesting to see that there is always a second side to every story. Eye openers like this spark further thinking. Does the information in the video effect you? And if so, how?

 

Disappearing Moon Cafe

My novel study is on the book “Disappearing Moon Cafe” by Sky Lee. Disappearing Moon Cafe is a novel based on real events that happened in Canada’s own Vancouver, B.C. For a complete chapter by chapter book summary, open this link to a new website:  http://canadianhistoryformartians.wordpress.com/novel-study/disappearing-moon-cafe-chapter-summaries/

However, if you don’t have as much time, I am able to give a quick overview of the book.

 

Overview

Disappearing Moon Cafe dates back to early immigration times in Canada, when head tax was implemented and there was racial discrimination. It is based in Historic Chinatown, Vancouver, B.C where incest, secrets, and racial marginalization was abundant. The novel’s main characters are Chinese whom inhabit the segregated and small Chinatown. As we are we introduced to these characters, we are also introduced to their lives and their hardships. Social standards soon become difficult to meet due to uncontrollable reasons. These standards being what determines a person’s value call for drastic measures as these main characters strive for a better life. As a reader you are pulled through their secrets, suicide, incest, surprises, and the strategic arrangement of the novel to reveal the complicated life of a Chinese immigrant in Canada during those times.

 

Purpose of Study

I studied this book to get a glimpse of Canada during a time that was a polar opposite of today. After reading Disappearing Moon Cafe, I now have more insight on early Canada- how people were treated, the social standards that were set for the Chinese, government issues, and family complications. It is also very important considering that it was based on a true story in Vancouver, B.C. The fact that it’s based on a true story makes this not only a engulfing drama episode but something everyone in Vancouver can envision and relate to in some way.

To be able to envision and relate to this story is important because it gives a deeper understanding to Canada’s history. Sometimes things in history are heard but not felt. It’s easy to hear of things that happened in the past but due to a contrast of coincidences and factors, a person of the 21st century may only have the basic understanding of historic events. After reading this book, I (being from Vancouver myself) can clue information and places together, and really take it to the heart.

 

Further Thinking

Have you read Disappearing Moon Cafe or any other novel that gives you a deeper understanding of Canada’s history? Have you ever been to Historic Chinatown in Vancouver, B.C? What does it make you think about, and why is that important? How has your perspective on history changed since then?

 

 

The Aboriginal Community

The aboriginal culture is very diverse depending on the region being inhabited. Before Canada was created, the land was divided differently from our typical 10 Provinces and 3 Territories. Here are 2 pictures of the Canadian map.

The first map is Canada today, and the second map is Canada before it was inhabited by Europeans. The differences in the two maps are quite drastic.

Aboriginal culture depended on the resources available in the region and on the weather and topography in the region. You may be thinking, why is weather and topography important? To answer you question, it’s important because the environment influences the people (due to adaption). For example, eating seal would be most common in the Arctic region rather than the Plains etc.

Each region had their own language, type of clothing, and food. Canada was split up into 6 regions: The Arctic, The Subarctic, The Eastern Woodlands, The Plains, The Plateau, and the Northwest Coast. Each region possessed their own unique way of living.

The Arctic

• Long daylight hours, moderate temperatures in summer
• Long, cold winters often spent in near total darkness
• Absence of trees
• Inhabited by Inuit peoples (descendants of Thule culture 1000CE)
• Eskimo Aleut (Inuktitut) language group
• Universal early adulthood marriage
• Technology- bone, horn, antler, ivory, stone, animal skins, baleen for basketry
• Inuit inventions considered “technological masterpieces” given available materials
• Economy based on sea mammal hunting- particularly seal
• Significant ceremonies beginning at birth (naming, betrothal)

The Subarctic

• Area is 5 million square meters, 3/4 of which is on the Canadian Shield
• Has extremes of temperature (-40 Degrees Celsius Winter to 30 Degrees Celsius+ in Summer)
• Dene, Carrier, and Cree peoples as well as Inland Tlingit
• Algonquin (East) and Athpaskan (West) language groups
• Most sparsely populated region of Canada
• Estimated population across entire region is 60,000
• Few material possessions due to need to follow food supply
• Myths and legends focused on the idea of animals taking human form

The Eastern Woodlands

• 2 unrelated language groups- Algonquin and Iroquoian
• Algonquin occupied land from Lake Superior to the Atlantic
• Lived in villages south of the Great Lakes and the St.Lawrence
• Iroquoian speakers- warring tradition- men hunted and fished- women cultivated beans, maise, squash, and tobacco- when soil depleted in 1 place they moved to new sites
• Algonquin speakers- lives were governed by seasons- hunted in Fall/Winter- harvested roots in summer
• European people wanted their beaver fur, & Aboriginals wanted their guns- had business trade together for many years

The Plains

• Encompasses nomadic Blackfoot, Saulteaux
• Buffalo culture- buffalo meets all their needs
• Buffalo meat was eaten at every meal
• Plains woman played important roles in religious rituals
• Athapascan, Algonquin, and Siouan speakers
• Hollywood “indians”- the stereotypical Indian from long ago
• Region stretches as far south as Mississippi in the US

The Plateau

• Inhabit a small region
• Arrived from South some 10,000 years ago as glaciers northwards
• Great diversity of dress, religious beliefs, and language
• Main language groups are Athapaskan, Salishian, and Ktunaxa
• Fishing and foraging were mainstays of bands living in this region
• Semi-underground dwellings (shelter) in winter
• Built bulrush covered wooden lodges in summer
• Traded copper, jadeite, and herbs to the coast Indians for otter pelts, oolichan oil and decorative baskets

The Northwest Coast

• Continuously inhabited 10,000+ years
• Fished and hunted all year due to moderate temperatures
• As many as 70 distinct inhabit the region
• Home to Halda, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Salisham
• Food is varied and abundant
• Live in longhouses- made from big trees
• Renowned carvers of totem, masks, bowls, and helmets
• Revered shamans for their links to the spirit world
• Pot latch, storytelling, dancing, and gift giving etc was all very important to culture

Though each region had their differences, they also had their similarities. For instance, it is a fact that all First Nations people hold a high seat for their elders. In their culture, elders are most respected and come to great importance for certain rituals, storytelling, and governing the community overall. As well as that, all First Nations value spirituality with animals.

“Anne-Marie Roy decries ‘rape culture’ at University of Ottawa after she was target of student leaders’ sexually graphic chat.”

(Picture Courtesy of the original article on nationalpost.com)

 

Anne-Marie, a student union leader at the University of Ottawa comes forward about being victimized in sexually graphic banter. Being it on a Facebook group chat, Anne-Marie was threatened by the 4 male students whom where implementing the ‘rape culture’ to not go public. If she were to do so, she would face legal action. Despite the threats, Anne-Marie proceeded to speak of her experience to spread awareness that ‘rape culture’ is present in her school. She spoke at a May Day rally on March 1st, 2014.

Let’s look at the big picture.

This article is important because it demonstrates what goes on in our social media and how things that are needed to be reported may be hidden due to threats. I think that is safe to say that if something like Anne-Marie’s case happens in one part of the world, it is not rare. Rape and sexual harassment is not a scarce occurrence. In fact, rape and sexual harassment is a ubiquitous concern and has been so for a very long time. However, with social networks/media being a prevalent component to a daily lifestyle, it is much easier for cases like this to stay off the front page of a newspaper. Instead, it would be kept in a chat box where no one else could find it.

Anne-Marie was brave to come out about her experience especially considering the fact that she was threatened. This transitions to the concern that there may be many other people in the world who are dealing with what she dealt with, but who feel that they are in a place where they can’t speak up. The social media world has advanced greatly and though it is a convenience, has it become too big of a burden as well?

What do you think?

For more information, visit the original article :http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/03/02/anne-marie-roy-decries-rape-culture-at-university-of-ottawa-after-she-was-target-of-student-leaders-sexually-graphic-chat/

Vocabulary Check

These are some words that you may need to be familiar with to proceed in this section on Aboriginal People in Canada.

1. Aboriginal– Refers to the original inhabitants of Canada and includes: Inuit, Métis, and First Nations.
2. Inuit– Culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada.
3. Métis– Aboriginal people of Canada who trace their lineage to mixed European and First Nation parentage in early Canada. European heritage is typically French or Scottish and while once thought of as separate groups, this is not true is current Métis society.
4. First Nation– Communities of Aboriginal people who identify themselves as distinct cultural groups, who are the descendants of the original inhabitants of Canada and are neither Inuit nor Métis. Each First Nation has its own name e.g Musqueam Nation.
5. Indian– 1. A misnomer referring to the Aboriginal peoples of North and South America. -2. A derogatory term used to refer to Aboriginal peoples of North America. -3. The legally correct term describing First Nations people in Canada (status or non-status people). -4. The culturally accepted term for Aboriginal people in US.
6. Band– A group of people living together on an Indian Reserve. Similar to “tribes” in the US.
7. Clan– Groups within bands and/or nations.
8. Indian Reserve– Specified by the Indian Act as a “tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band.”
9. Indian Act 1876– The Act of Parliament which governs First Nations people in Canada- both status and indirectly non-status.
10. Assimilation– The process by which one distinct group of people in a society gradually become culturally indistinguishable from the majority.
11. Colonization– The act or process of establishing control over a country or area by a more powerful and often distant country.
12. Appropriation– Culturally, this is the adoption of specific elements of one culture by a different, and often dominant, cultural group.
13. Matrilineal– Lineage which is traced through the mother’s side of the family.
14. Patrilineal– Lineage or kinship traced through the father’s side of the family.
15. Oral Tradition– Cultural material, tradition and law transmitted orally from one generation to the next.
16. Agency– The capacity of an individual to act in the world. The opposite might be victimization.

Introduction: A National Controversy

To many, Aboriginal people are simply a race of people- just like anyone else. However in Canada, not only are Aboriginal people the native race of the country, but they are also a national controversy. It’s hard to come to a point where a race becomes a controversial topic, but in Canada Aboriginals are because of the vast amount of history of quarrels between European settlers in Canada.

Here in Canada there are many stereotypes of Aboriginal people. For this section, it would be ideal to identify those stereotypes before hand so that they can be addressed with reasoning later on in this section. So what are some stereotypes of Aboriginal people? (And please keep in mind these are just stereotypes and like majority, are very false.)

• Alcohol abuse
• Low rates of high school graduation
• Drug abuse
• Early pregnancy
• Broken homes
• Welfare
• Extra government support
• Don’t have to pay taxes

I do realize that these points are quite harsh to be stereotypes, but in reality these points are true in many people’s minds. But why? Think of any stereotypes you may have of Aboriginal people (if you have any) and ask yourself why do you have them? These stereotypes are quite racist and over half they time Canadians don’t even realize that they are being racist. As ignorant as that sounds, it is because being racist of Aboriginal people has been so deeply embedded into our society that it’s seemed as a social norm. Aboriginal racism is sadly systemic and isn’t something to be proud of, which is why it is vital for people everywhere to be aware of the history of Aboriginal people and their culture.