Related Issue #1 Should our identity be based on our nation?

 

KEY ISSUE: To what extent should we embrace nationalism

What is a nation?

Elements of a nation

EthnicityShared characteristics (racial, culture, linguistic) because

of shared ancestryLanguage

Sharing language helps people see the world in similar ways

People who speak a language fluently can understand each other deeply

Collective language (us, our, we)

CultureThe way of life that people share bring them together

ReligionPriests, elders. Mullahs, imams, ministers and other

religious leaders pass on traditions that help people share religious beliefs

GeographyMountains, oceans and deserts are physical barriers

that isolate people and they develop their own ways

SpiritualitySpiritual connections unite people

PoliticsAny group of people who have sovereignty or even the

desire for sovereignty have a sense of belonging Relationship to land

Different land provides different resources and different resources influence the way people live

Is Canada a “nation”?

Test Canada’s nation status against the criteria

Element of a nation Relevance to Canada

There is a common racial and/or ethnic background of the people There is a common territory (land)  There is a common history, common traditions, and a common religion The people have common interests and goals politically The people speak a common language

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A new Canada

Canada as a civic nation?

Civic nation means that a nation exists, made up of people who share certain political beliefs but are different in ethnicity, language, culture, religion etc

Aspects of a Civic nation

Support for social programsFreedom of PressEqual opportunity for allFreedom of peaceful assemblyActive citizenshipA government that reflects the will of the peopleFree and Fair electionsConstitution

Outlines the basic rules that society is based onCanada’s first 34 sections are Charter of Rights and

Freedoms

Identity and Nation

Human desire to belong is strongIdea of a nation sparks powerful feelings of

belongingPeople make conscious and unconscious

decisions to include national symbols/identity as part of their individual identity

How is nation part of who you are?

Aspects of your identity Connection to a nation

What is nationalism?

Expressions of Nationalism

CurrencyBordersOfficial languagesWarsPoliticsTerritoryFlagAnthemPropagandaReligion

Setting the stage for Change:Factors that influence the Development of Nationalism

Historical FactorsAncestry LanguageCommon past experiences

Political FactorsRepresentative government vs dictatorship vs monarch

Geographic FactorsLarge vs small territoryIsland vs land locked

Economic FactorsDebtDevelopingRich vs poor

Social FactorsChanges in thoughts and philosophies (shift in ideology) RightsQuality of lifePopulationReligionStructureLanguage

Results of Nationalism

WarCountries forming/splittingIndustrializationImperialism

Loyalty

firmly committed or faithful to someone or something

Syn. allegiance, devotion, attachment, patriotismloyal to an idea, a value, a cause, or a nation or to

other people no matter what it is very personal and significant in different situations

Show your loyalty

show it publicly (at a protest or celebration) or privately (ceremony or an agreement)RAMS t-shirtSing national anthemWave an oilers flag at a gameMaple leaf pin on your backpackReclaiming your heritage name (tribal, inuit etc)

Nationalist Loyalties

when you are committed or faithful to a nationpatriotism=love for ones nation/countrymany groups affirm their nationalist loyalties

through a variety of ways (i.e. parades, celebrations, protests, reclaiming, place names)

can create conflict if you are loyal to more than one nation or if two groups loyal to different nations different things (conflicts over territory, language rights, human rights and natural resources)

Canada and Nationalist Loyalties

Canada is a pluralistic society which encourages and promotes people form various cultures to affirm and promote unique cultural identities (aka multiculturalism)

Reasonable accommodations are made in Canada to help people feel that they can express themselves.

Reasonable Accommodations

Lots of NEW Canadians find comfort in the freedom to express non Canadian loyalties

1990 Sikh RCMP allowed to wear turban instead of Stetson

2007 Quebec had issues with allowing accommodations and refused to let an 11yr old girls play soccer in her hijab

Non Nationalist Loyalties

Loyalty that is not related to the idea of a nation Religious

loyal to the beliefs and values of a religion and community that shares those beliefs• e.g. Irish Catholics vs Protestants

Regional loyal to promoting economic, social and political interested of a specific region

• e.g. Oil tax on Western Canada and none on Eastern (1980s)

Cultural loyal to values and ways of life of a group

• e.g. Oil Sands development and first nations

Class loyal to your social status based on wealth, level of education, ancestry, heritage etc

• e.g. Protesting and demonstrating for workers rights

Ethnic Loyal to people that share same cultures and ethnic background

• e.g.

Contending Loyalties

when there is a struggle between two loyaltiescan cause conflicts within a person or within a

larger populationloyalties can change based on time, money,

emotions, situations every day

Examples of Contending Loyalties

Canada Day celebrations and Day of mourning in NFLD

Israelis and Palestinians want to control say territoryQuebec sovereignty vote came down to 50.52% NO

and 49.42% YESWinnipeg General Strike in 1919Ireland’s long history of conflict between Catholics and

ProtestantsAlberta oil and gas industry vs government (1970s,

80s)Alberta development of oil sands

Reconciling Loyalties

There are three options

1. Live with it!

2. Choose one loyalty over the other

3. Accommodate by bringing change to a nation

Live with it!

Reasons people might choose to live with their loyalties in conflictToo hard to chooseOccupied by other issuesEasier than taking actionBelieve they cannot make a difference

Choose one over the other

When people are forced to choose one loyalty over the other they typically are forced to sacrifice an important part of their identity which leads to the feelings of alienation

e.g. Michaelle Jean (Gov Gen) gave up her French citizenship so Canadians knew she was truly Canadian

Bring about change in society

2003 AlbertaHutterite colony

• Fought to be exempt from putting their pictures on their license for religious reasons

1957 American SouthLittle Rock Arkansas

• Brown Trickey

Should nation be the foundation for identity

Are they related How is nationalism shapedContending loyaltiesReconciling loyalties