Hi, and welcome to the culture section. Here you will find information on the different cultures that the class of grade 8, Mrs.Legault's class learned. We did this project called KA-NA-TA where we learned about the different cultures. So read on to find out about the different cultures we have!
The Mi'kmaq of eastern Canada and the northeastern corner of the United States first appeared in their homeland approximately ten thousand years ago. They relied on hunting and fishing as a way of living. The first inhabitants who arrived from the west started out as hunters and gatherers. As more people settled in their lands, they were given different grants, which were given to them in return for them to be able to live on their pieces of land. Between 1725 to 1761, the Mi'kmac people of Nova Scotia signed variations of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship. From that, the Micmacs (known as the Mi'kmaqs) were guaranteed to continue hunting and fishing in their territory.
The main thing they came up with which were agreed by both sides were that the Micmacs would be able to continue fishing and hunting in their territory. For many years now, Native people have tried to use these rights but they could not. Finally, a person named Donald Marshall Jr. was convicted of catching eels out of season. He argued that the Mi'kmaqs have the rights to fish and hunt out of season and in season. He then went to lower court where his argument was not taken into consideration.
At the end, on September 18th, of 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada supported the treaty of 1760 and announced that the Mi'kmaq people can keep their right to hunt, fish and sell those products as agreed to in 1760.
East Indians created religious classes that taught how to communicate in East Indian.
East Indians also brought many different foods that are very popular such as samosas, curry, and roti. These ancestors had helped to increase the population of Canada. Many of the people who came were very educated and smart. They were professionals. They influenced the clothing of India. They also influenced the music of India. There are also festivals like 'Diwali', 'Eid', 'Srilankan New Year', etc. As a hand designer a special liquid is put on your hand and you can make very nice designs on it, called "mehndi". This is how East Indians have changed Canada's culture.
The Chinese Canadians are known for building the CPR known as the Canadian Pacific Railway. A lot of the Chinese went to help build the railway because they needed money for their families in their back homes such as China mostly. They had no choice in making money except for coming to Canada where they were looking for people to help build the CPR.
They were given the hard jobs because they were being discriminated. During the time they were in the process of building the CPR, many people died because of diseases or because of exhaustion. Later on, the Chinese also helped Canada fight World War II. Again, there were many people who risked their lives to build a better life for future generations.
There are famous Chinese Canadians in Canada for example Paul Yee, a famous writer and Jean Lumb, recipient of the Order of Canada.
There are various things that we have learned about the West Indian culture. The West Indians brought many spices such as achar into Canada. In addition, they also brought a Caribbean festival known as Caribana. To celebrate this festival people dress up in colorful costumes and dance on the street. The West Indians have also brought to Canada, Soca and Calypso music, as well as reggae.