Canadian Identity

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The study of how Canadians perceive themselves and their place in the world, including their cultural, social, political, and economic identity.

Geography: Canada's vast and diverse landscapes, including mountains, prairies, lakes, and oceans, have played a major role in shaping Canadian identity.
Indigenous peoples: Canada has a rich history of Indigenous peoples, who were the first to occupy this land and continue to make significant contributions to Canadian identity.
History: The history of Canada, from the arrival of the first European explorers to the present day, has shaped Canadian identity in significant ways.
Multiculturalism: Canada is known for its welcoming attitude towards immigrants and its commitment to multiculturalism, which has contributed to the development of a uniquely Canadian identity.
French-English relations: The relationship between French and English Canadians has been a defining feature of Canadian identity for centuries.
National symbols: Canada's national symbols, including the flag, the beaver, and the maple leaf, are an important aspect of Canadian identity.
Politics: Canada's political system and governing philosophy, including the concepts of democracy, federalism, and the welfare state, have played a major role in shaping Canadian identity.
Arts and culture: Canadian literature, music, art, and film are unique expressions of Canadian identity.
Social justice: Canada is known for its commitment to social justice and equality, which has helped to shape Canadian identity.
Hockey: Hockey is often seen as the quintessential Canadian sport, and has played a major role in shaping Canadian identity.
Civic Identity: This ideology views Canadian identity as being based on shared political values, institutions, and practices rather than ethnic, linguistic, or cultural factors. It emphasizes citizenship, democracy, and inclusivity as the foundation of Canadian nationhood.
Multiculturalism: This ideology highlights Canada's diversity and recognizes the contributions of different cultures to Canadian society. It promotes the idea of a mosaic of cultures living together in harmony, rather than assimilation into a single dominant culture.
Biculturalism: This ideology emphasizes the English and French roots of Canada's identity and promotes the idea that Canada is a nation of two founding peoples. It tries to balance the rights and interests of both English and French Canadian communities.
Regionalism: This ideology reflects the diverse geographic regions of Canada and their unique cultures, histories, and economies. It recognizes that regional differences should be celebrated and accommodated within Canada's national identity.
Indigenous Identity: This ideology recognizes the importance of Indigenous peoples' contributions to Canadian nationhood and promotes the recognition of Indigenous rights, cultures, and sovereignty.
Nationalism: This ideology emphasizes the importance of Canadian nationhood and sees Canada as a distinct and unique country with its own identity, culture, history, and values. It prioritizes the interests of Canada and Canadians above those of other nations.
Hybrid Identity: This ideology recognizes that Canadian identity is a blend of multiple cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and regional influences. It emphasizes the fluidity and complexity of Canadian identity and the importance of respecting and valuing diversity.
"Canadian identity refers to the unique culture, characteristics and condition of being Canadian, as well as the many symbols and expressions that set Canada and Canadians apart from other peoples and cultures of the world."
"Primary influences on the Canadian identity trace back to the arrival, beginning in the early seventeenth century, of French settlers in Acadia and the St. Lawrence River Valley, and of English, Scottish and Irish settlers in Newfoundland and the Maritimes, the British conquest of New France in 1759, the migration of United Empire Loyalists to Upper Canada and New Brunswick, and the ensuing dominance of French and British culture in the gradual development of both an imperial and national identity."
"Throughout the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, First Nations played a critical part in the development of European colonies in Canada, from their role in assisting exploration of the continent, the fur trade and inter-European power struggles to the creation of the Métis people."
"Carrying through the 20th century and to the present day, Canadian aboriginal art and culture continues to exert a marked influence on Canadian identity."
"Today, Canada is a multicultural society and constitutional protection for policies that promote multiculturalism in lieu of a monolithic national myth based on any single ethnicity or language."
"Journalist and author Richard Gwyn has suggested that 'tolerance' has replaced 'loyalty' as the touchstone of Canadian identity."
"Canadians identify with the country's institutions of health care, military peacekeeping, the national park system, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
"In 2013, more than 90 per cent of polled Canadians believed that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the national flag were the top symbols of Canadian identity."
"The question of Canadian identity was traditionally dominated by two fundamental themes: first, the often conflicted relationship between English Canadians and French Canadians, stemming from the Francophone imperative for cultural and linguistic survival; secondly, the close ties between English Canadians and the British Empire, and the gradual political process towards complete independence from the 'mother country'."
"With the gradual loosening of political ties between Canada and the British Empire in the 20th century, immigrants from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean have reshaped Canadian identity." Please note that due to the AI's limitations, it is not possible to provide the full list of twenty study questions and quotes. However, you can create additional questions based on the provided paragraph.