My Canadian Identity
When walking down Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, I experience many different aspects of the unique Canadian multicultural lifestyle. From fresh Japanese sushi to frozen African plantain, the range of different ethnicities found on Robson Street, alone, is inspiring. Today, multiculturalism in Canada has become a glory and success. In a country of racial and ethnic acceptance, Canadians have gained an identity; one that is composed of many different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and values.
My family immigrated to Canada in the winter of 2000. It was a cold, rainy February day. After arriving at the Vancouver International Airport from Beijing, China, and seeing the Canadian First Nations sculptures that were stationed in the airport for the first time, I was immediately full of curiosity and excitement. Yet, having grown up in a traditional Beijing family and living there for nine years, I also missed my friends and family back home. After settling down, my first experiences with the Canadian educational system were welcoming. The staff and students at my first Canadian elementary school were exceptionally warm and supportive. There were specific English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers whom assisted me in every way possible to overcome the language barriers. Government-funded services such as the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.) had also provided new immigrants like my family, free of charge, with job opportunities and ESL training.
Some argue that Canadians have struggled to define their true identity, while concurrently defending and separating themselves from the Americans and British. According to Helen Gordon McPherson, we “Canadians haven’t had time to become Canadians.” The fact that “Canadians have been so busy explaining” to the rest of the world what we are not, indicates that from an outside point of view, little is know about what really makes up the Canadian identity; thus often misleading to degrading stereotypes. Only by taking time to re-educate ourselves first, can we then stop explaining what we are not, but what we really are. To quote Julia Luttrell, while “Canadians have shaped out of the North American wilderness [as] one of the most privileged societies on the face of the earth… [and] have long been known as one of the most tolerant, progressive, innovative, caring and peaceful societies in existence”, we need to realize that as Canadians, we must sustain the international image of Canada as a caring and peaceful nation. Due to a series of recent diplomatic decisions influenced by the American dominance on the global stage, the current Canadian government is beginning to change our positive image. What strongly differs the Canadian identity from that of our American neighbour, is that Canada was established relatively peacefully and had learned earlier on to tolerate and accept the “diversity and character of our people”.
Canada, as a nation, does have its own unique identity. It is the only country in the world to have adopted multiculturalism as an official policy (the 1971 Multiculturalism Policy of Canada). Canada would not be the country it is today if it were not for all the immigrants from all over the world that built and influenced our country’s foundation. The Canadian identity is unique in many ways in that people of all cultures and backgrounds are free to contribute and share their part of the Canadian experience. No matter what one’s ethnicity, beliefs, or values are, he/she is always accepted and added to this rich diversity of cultures.
Without ignorance, rarely comes hate. Without acknowledgment, seldom comes acceptance. With a share in all different cultures, comes knowledge and an identity. Only through knowledge, through learning, can we truly appreciate the diverse cultures that engulf us. United as one, multiculturalism brings together people of countless backgrounds, and identifies us all as Canadians. I am lucky to be in Canada, and proud of being a Canadian.
Reader's Comments
Several years ago, in London, I met some chinese guys bound to move to Canada. Althoug, they were Hong Kong upper class kids, already British educated.
I wonder how an Beijing kid like you managed to become Canadian without becoming gettotized…
Alex
that’s an interesting word you use, “ghettoized”. it reminds me of Jews be “ghettoized” during the holocaust. That’s exact why I wrote this essay. Canada proves herself once and again to be a multi-cultural nation.
I now really want to come to canada. I was interested in visiting before for the beauty of the country as shown in the travel brochures but now I want to come meet some people.
I live in Australia. Once upon a time we were a multicultural nation. Now we are stuggling with hatred and racism. I wish Australia could tackle immigration the way Canada has. Thank You for sharing your story.
Everyone from Canada I’ve ever met has been wonderful and genuine. I would love to visit there.
i have relatives and close friends living in canada. in fact, quite a lot of filipinos have moved there. it’s nice to know that they have found a welcoming community.
really nice post. i experienced some culture shock when i visited Vancouver. it was much more British, Chinese, and native than i expected. my eyes got wide like yours, when i saw all the carvings in the airport. after that initial feeling, i really enjoyed visiting Bc. it’s a fantastic place and i’m surprised BC doesn’t get more attention.
as Canada grows more tolerant of cultures, i’m not sure that the US is following your lead. Canada does indeed seem more minority-friendly than the US.
Truly interesting read. I came from Britain in 1968 and initially my husband and I did experience a hard time finding work because we were English. In those days there was some hard feeling towards immigrants. My husband was physically attacked because he was able to do a particular job and was promoted over a Canadian. However we are still here and thankful to live here and would not want to be anywhere else. When we first arrived we lived just off Robson Street. Vancouver was still quite a small place then, compared to what you see now.
awesome writing*
i think we live in a different world now too*
i actually feel our Canadian Troops are doing some good over in Afghanistan*
& i don’t blame the Americans for going after Bin Laden*
interestingly they uncovered that plot by Muslim fundamentalists to Blow Up major Canadian spots like the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa + the CN Tower + lord only knows what else in Toronto*
there was a great article in the Toronto Star called a Surfeit of Martyrs - basically about the rise of Ethnic + Religious extremism + hatred around the World*
We’re not immune here in Canada or the US either*
we have our own Christian fundamentalists in our own backyard + the Whitehouse aka Bush + co. who are every bit as scary as the Taliban*
Peace*
;))
“we have our own Christian fundamentalists in our own backyard + the Whitehouse aka Bush + co. who are every bit as scary as the Taliban*
Peace*”
I like that… especially with the “peace” in the end
[b]Canada fine China fine [pun intended][/b]
Hi[gh] EastWood
I read each word of ‘My Canadian Identity’.
The acronym SUCESS goes well.
If I were to choose among all nations I would choose Canada, not US, not UK.
Before I forget in the flow of writing, I wish to express a disturbing feeling I had after reading ‘My Canadian Identity’. I would have admired if you felt and said with great pride that I am Chinese or born in China. It appears that you lost China and China lost you.
Identity is no problem for Asians. We are ‘family’ oriented
and you would be knowing your grandfather’s name too.
In Canada, I am not sure about a white person, whether her/his son is of the same father or an earlier father. Identity search, family tree, gives a sense of belonging to such a Canadian. Asians already have it.
It is a welcome and delighting news for me that in 1971 Canada officially adopted a Multiculturalism Policy.
In summary I think you could bring in Oriental wisdom to enrich Canada. For that you will have to search for it and you can do it better from Canada than you could have done it staying in China.
Today the living conditions (socio economic + political) are painful to majority in Asia. No wonder you feel Canada gratifying, cool and pleasant. Bring your Canadian richness; attitudinal, cultural, social, financial, to China.
Love you my dear,
Good day,
dr.ashok
Super entry. I have many similar feelings for my “adopted” country Sweden, though the Swedes could use some lessons from the Canucks on integration. Cheers!
“Canada was established relatively peacefully and had learned earlier on to tolerate and accept the diversity and character of our people???” — dam right, semi-utopia-land-with-no-history all the way :P. Proud to be Canadian
What an amazing post! It makes me even prouder to be a Canadian! I truly love the multiculturalism of Canada, at my daughter’s school the annual Christmas concert has turned into a celebration of all cultures. It’s awesome to see all of the different people come together like they do here. I love it!
Great post! I’m originally from Britian, however living in Australia at present. I must admit i know very little about Canada, it sounds wonderful!
In the UK we have lots of immigrants moving into the country, however there is a general feeling that our government will allow anyone into the country, without proper screening. The result of this is that we now have many terrorists living in the UK. Makes me wonder why Canada has been successful in opening up to all cultures, yet do not experience the same problems? Maybe we could learn from you!
Eastwood!
Incredible post. I had no idea there was a Mullticulturalism Policy!
Thanks for the powerful insights. As an American, our country is still young and still evolving, so there is hope for our cultural maturation. I state this as a Black female, who has traveled the world, and embraces the uniqueness and scars of my country.
Excellent post, Eastwood. Seriously. I live in Detroit, which unfortunately has the distinction of being the most segregation metropolitan area in the county. We have a lot of lessons to learn in a very short period of time, and if we don’t rise to the challenge, I’m a little afraid of where that could leave us.
I’ve been to Toronto a number of times, and of course Windsor. Went to Vancouver years ago for the Expo. Everywhere I’ve been in that country has been a wonderful experience, but Toronto, for me, is my hands-down favorite. Absolutely love the place. Some great memories.
Take care, and keep the great posts coming!
[...] In Canada, a society of acceptance and tolerance, a society known and looked up onto for its unique Canadian Identity and its well-preserved image as a welfare society, must maintain its image and stay strong to its [...]
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