Expressing Who We Are in Canada

Transcription

1 Page1 Expressing Who We Are in Canada Cultural Industries Publishing, music, film, and broadcasting

2 Page2 Strong Cultural Industry = Strong Identity Question Does Canada have a strong cultural industry?

3 Page3 United States Influences Canada with Mass Media (TV movies, Etc) What kind of influence does mass media have on people?

4 Page4 We have the most sophisticated transmission hardware in the world What happens when we choose American Media over Canadian? Lost Revenue = $500 million = Less money available for new programs

5 Page5 How can we protect Canadian Media? SUPPORT CANADIAN MEDIA!!! What does CRTC stand for? Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

6 Page6 What is CRTC? CRTC is a government agency that supervises broadcasting in Canada Issues licenses to broadcasting companies and sets rules for Canadian Content. There is a societal fear we will adopt too much American Identity

7 Page7 Should we try to Protect Canadian Cultural Industries? Some Canadians believe we should try to protect and promote Canadian Media Other Canadians believe that such steps are a waste of time What do you think?

8 Page1 Expressing Who We Are in Canada Canadian Media Answer the following questions using the Assignment 1 Notes and the chart below 1.)What are some of Canada s Cultural Industries 2.)What does a Strong Cultural Identity mean for Canada? 3.)How does the US influence Canada? 4.)What kind of transmission hardware does Canada have? 5.) What happens when we choose American Mass Media over Canadian? 6.)How can we protect Canadian Media? 7.)What does CRTC stand for? 8.)What is the CRTC?

9 Page2 9.)What is the big FEAR about watching too much American Media? 10.)Should we try to protect Canadian Cultural Industries? What do you think?

10 Page1 How much TV do people watch? (Use chart on following page) 1.)In which province do teenagers watch the most television? The least television? Where do Manitoban teenagers fit within this range? 2.) Who watches more television, children under twelve years of age or teenagers? Why do you think this is? 3.) Which age category watches the least amount of television in Manitoba? Why? 4.) What general correlation do you see between age and amount of television watching? In other words, do people watch more or less television as they get older? Why do you think this is?

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13 Page1 MAJOR ISSUES AFFECTING CANADIAN IDENTITY 1. R E G I O N A L I S M The way we think of ourselves as Canadians depends on where we live. Each region has a characteristic identity shaped by its geography, what people can do for a living, its history end the cultural groups which developed it. Canada's vest size makes it difficult for people to relate to others In different regions - people Identify more with their region than the nation. Canada also has an uneven population distribution and economic development: industry and commerce are centered in Ontario and Quebec. The outlying provinces who provide resources often feel left out of decision-making, much of which happens in the corporate centers of Toronto and Montreal. Federal elections are often decided by the votes from Ontario and Quebec before the other provinces have finished voting. Regional identities and differences can be divisive factors in Canadian identity. 2. FRENCH/ENGLISH RELATIONS In most countries, a common 'language contributes to national identity. Canada's two languages make it difficult to define a common identity. French and English Canada have different views of our history - for example, Louis Riel was historically viewed as a traitor in English Canada, but to the Metis and French Canada. he is regarded as a martyr. In French-Canada, it is not Canada Day, but St Jean Baptiste Day which celebrates national pride, ' Jean-Pierre: "Two cultures In the one country Is not possible It Is important to keep the French culture 'alive.'' J, J, Crashbang; "One misconception people have when they think French-Canada, they think 'Quebec, and don't think for example of French- Canadians living in Manitoba for ten generations." The question is - how can we have a national Identity with such separate societies? 1 k 3. MULTICULTURALISM With the exception of the First Nations, Canada is a nation of immigrants. For some people, multiculturalism is in conflict with a national identity. For example, when the RCMP allowed Sikh officers to wear turbans as part of their uniform, critics argued this would destroy one of Canada's most cherished symbols for other people, multiculturalism is part of our identity - and a source of pride because it promotes values of tolerance, understanding, freedom and compassion: The question is - do we all have to conform to some idea, of what is-'canadian' to have a. national identity. Pat Chou says ' "Being a Canadian citizen doesn't mean, you have. to change your culture or background Being Canadian is: being yourself and being free." Eduardo Aragon: "Who are we anyway? If you ask a Canadian from a Chinese background who was born here, he or she will say "A Canadian Is someone who looks like me''. So who is a Canadian?" 4. NATIVE ISSUES. Native people hold a special place in Canadian society as the original Inhabitants of this land. Their culture is unique and contributes much to our society. Since the arrival of Europeans, Native people have had to struggle to keep their culture alive, Many feel alienated from the rest of Canada. Rick Harry, sculptor: "At high s chool I went through a stage like that -I didn't feel very good about myself I wanted to be white; I cried. I felt like! was dirty But when an elder came in and told me, he looked around the classroom and said I can't see any of you wearing anything native. So now I wear this bear necklace to symbolize what I must remember - to be who lam. I need my mind, my body, my spirituality all intact. I can be a whole human being." Gail Stands with a Gun: ''For us it's been a lot of Injustices. It's really hard for me To say I'm Canadian., We do have a different status - the, status of First Nations, of knowing who we are." Noella Little Moustache: "Identity is very important to me, because there's been a lot of changes for First Nations people in Canada. Being a member of the Peigan band, part of the Blackfoot Nation of Alberta, I feel my whole identity - its part of me, It's who! am. Ethel Blondin, MP for Western Arctic: "Why should you have to prove who you are? You are who you are, you believe what you believe What makes it more acceptable to be of European extraction and to

14 Page2 have all these laws and this government system attached to you when you land on the shores of this country? Does that make you better?... We should have married the two ways together and we could have a better country" 8. INFLUENCE OF THE UNITED STATES Minute- Counter: 21'00-24'00 Historically, the presence of the USA has been a powerful catalyst for Canadian identity; Fear of US domination was one of the main reasons for Confederation. With America's rise in military, industrial and technological strength, Canada's challenge has been to distinguish itself from America. Nearly 76% of Canadians live within 160 kilometers of the border. Vast majority of Canada's visitors come from the US. Canadians prefer watching American television. Only one-third of our, English TV programming is made in Canada. Only 3% of films screened in Canadian cinemas are made in Canada. Most of our popular music, books and magazines come from America. Influence of American culture blends Canadian values with American. Free trade agreement raises question of how much protection Canada should have for its own local industries. Some people define their identity in terms of how they are different from Americans Eg), welfare and health systems, lower crime rates, and the existence of French-Canada. Different viewpoints: some say American culture is overwhelming ours - others say there's no real difference between them - others say it s inevitable that the cultures will interact.

15 Self-Directed Courses

16 Page1 *Answer the following questions using Assignment 2 - Article Major Issues Affecting Canadian Identity - QUESTIONS 1. What are the 5 major issues affecting Canadian Identity? a) b) c) d) e) 2. What is Regionalism? 3. What is the problem with uneven population distribution in Canada? 4. What is the main problem with language identity in Canada? 5. What is an example scenario of how French and English Canadians see history? 6. Do they celebrate Canada Day in Quebec?

17 Page2 7. Who are the only people in Canada that are not immigrants? 8. What is a controversy the RCMP has faced with immigrant officers? 9. How can one see multiculturalism in a positive way? 10. What does Pat Chou say about being a Canadian Citizen?