Activity 1.2 | Cultural Spaces

History of our Land

In this activity, you will be thinking about the diversity of our population and the many different cultures, languages and environmental experiences of the families we work with.

Let’s begin by looking back at the history of our land. The First Peoples existed in six large geographical areas across the continent when the Settlers first arrived. There were the peoples on the eastern coast, the central southern peoples, the prairies, peoples of the plateau or northeast, the Pacific coast peoples and the northern First Nations and the Inuit people. There were nine major language groups, six of them in British Columbia with many different languages within each of those groups. In Canada today there are over 630 First Nations across the country with 199 First Nations being in British Columbia. There are also several Métis nations, mainly in western Canada. The Inuit peoples live in northern Canada. These are the three groups of Indigenous peoples recognized by the government of Canada.

The first settlers were mostly from Europe. They brought their own languages, cultures, spirituality, values and beliefs. Later, other settlers arrived from Asia and Africa, often single men joining the labour force. Many did not bring their families so there were fewer children of colour in the early years of the country. Some married Indigenous women as discrimination prevented relationships with women of European ancestry.

The country’s population slowly began to diversify about a hundred years ago and became more multicultural after the Second World War (WWII). Even fifty years ago there were many Canadian communities with populations that were predominantly European ancestry. Geographical names reflected the dominant English-speaking culture. 

Small communities formed where people with common ethnic backgrounds felt comfortable and safe, able to continue the language and cultural traditions of their homeland. One example was the village of Paldi on Vancouver Island where many Indians settled in the early 20th century. Another example were people from Japan who arrived in the early 20th century and settled on the west coast. During WWII they were removed to internment camps and lost their democratic rights until 1948. Chinese immigrants have also had a sad history within Canada, having to leave their families behind and pay special taxes to live and work here. Many families in our communities have suffered discriminatory actions in their family’s history in this country.

Now, in the 21st century there are citizens whose ancestry come from all across the globe as Canada continues to welcome newcomers. Newcomer families make up a large part of the child population, especially in larger urban centres. As a leader in the childcare sector there is great responsibility in learning about other cultures and supporting newcomer families. It is not unusual for centres to welcome young children whose first language is not English or French.

Visit the Native Land Digital website to learn more about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations through educational resources such as an interactive map of Indigenous Territories and Nations, and a Territory Acknowledgement Guide.

Reference

Native Land Digital (n.d.). https://native-land.ca/

Other Helpful Resources

Belshaw, J. D. (2020). Canadian history: Pre-Confederation (2nd ed.). BCcampus. https://collection.bccampus.ca/textbooks/canadian-history-pre-confederation-2nd-edition-bccampus-68/

Geography Open Textbook Collective. (2014). British Columbia in a global context. BCcampus. https://collection.bccampus.ca/textbooks/british-columbia-in-a-global-context-bccampus-54/

Family Diversity

In your journal, write about some of your experiences with newcomer families. 

Consider as you reflect on these experiences:

• What did you learn?
• What resources have you found to support children from different cultures? 
• Do you have a collection of storybooks? 

Family Diversity

No two families are alike. A few families may be like the 1950s stereotype of a mother, father, two children, grandparents and other relatives who visit on the weekend, a single-family home with a yard to play in, maybe Mom even stays home. But generally, we know that is not today’s reality.

A family may be a father and daughter living in a small apartment. It may be two moms who both work full-time. It may be blended with five children with several parents. It may be multi-generational with grandparents who live in another part of the house or a young mom receiving support from her own mother. Children in our care will have different ideas about the meaning of family. 

Take some time to return to your journal entry and draw, sketch or describe a few versions of families that you work with. 

What commonalities do you see in your drawings?

Personal Culture

• Does your family celebrate any holidays different from the ones on the Canadian calendar?
• What languages are or were spoken by members of your family?
• Were there any interracial relationships?
  

Document your thoughts in your journal.