Reflective Essay On Canadian Identity

Introduction Hockey, Tim Hortons, maple leaves, maple syrup, Mounties, ‘oot and aboot’, oh and I’m sorry eh? These 'Canadianisms' are what stereotypically makes up the fantasy of the ‘Canadian identify’ and the one that gets broadcasted to the world. Aforementioned is all false pretences and sugar-coating the vast dark history of the land now known as Canada. In truth, the idea of a ‘Canadian Identity’ and it is different for every individual person based on their background and the way they label themselves, for example, people of indigenous heritage, non-aboriginal people of colour, and white people will all have different views on the ‘Canadian Identity. Having this in mind is why I ask; where do I fit in the Canadian matrix? My answer to that is when looked at critically, though my grandparents I am a trespasser, while also seen by the ‘society’ and the government as a ‘true Canadian.’ While I have indigenous heritage, and relatives who are aboriginal, I would not declare myself aboriginal. Simply because I was not brought up with the rest of my family that was brought up with the Mi'kmaq traditions and culture. Furthermore, I look white and primarily come from a European background, three of my
I believe that this is hypocritical because of the history of voting rights in this country. For example, while suffrage was extended to Aboriginal people in Canada in 1960 up until that point they “could only gain the vote by giving up their status.” (Henderson and Ground 202). While this tends to be deemed an astonishing thing, at least in Canadian high school textbooks, the reality is this ‘inclusion’ is theft. Before 1960, the government stole a piece of individual identities, and post-1960 is can still be seen as theft because it is like the government said Congratulations you may now vote in a country that was stolen from