Transcript Notes - Unit 1 – Expressions of Canadian Identity

Notes - Unit 1 – Expressions of
Canadian Identity
An Intro to Canadian Identity
• The following are aspects of Canadian identity :
Landscape
Climate
History
People and Culture
Citizenship
Challenges and Opportunities
• These aspects are represented through the works of many
Canadian artists, musicians, and authors.
• When creating our own personal identity web we find that we are
influenced by these same aspects. Where we live, our culture, and
the opportunities we have, all have an impact on creating who we
are.
Art
• By analyzing images we can understand the meaning. If we divide
the image into parts, look for details and then ask questions, we are
able to have a greater appreciation for the artist’s message.
• From a historical point of view, First Nations and Inuit artists were
the first to represent their culture and beliefs through art.
• Priests from the colony of New France, who were professional
painters, produced mostly religious works for the churches in the
1500s and 1600s. At the time there were also self-taught painters
creating “folk art”, as well as young wood carvers too. The themes
were usually religious.
• In the 1700 wealthy British North Americans had portraits painted.
Also, the military trained artists to create topographic drawings.
These artists also produced documentary paintings which now give
us a look at what they saw in their everyday life.
• In the 1800, with immigrants arriving, Canadian art was increasingly
more diverse. Canada’s natural beauty, as well as the people
became the main theme. This, along with the advancements in
photography, gives us a glimpse into daily life.
• The twentieth century brought a change in Canadian art with the
works of the famed Group of Seven. Their “new” style of painting
showed a greater sense of pride for Canada as they included their
personal feelings about the Canadian landscape.
Music
• Like art, music can reflect a sense of Canadian identity. Throughout
the history of Canadian music, there have been artists within each of
the various genres demonstrating their own thoughts about Canada
and what it means to be Canadian.
• It is sometimes questioned if Canadian music is overshadowed by
the U.S.
• The CRTC (Canadian Radio – television and Telecommunications
Commission) was created by the Canadian government in 1929 to
ensure that there would be Canadian content and character on
television and radio.
• Canadian identity is influenced by the diversity of the country and its
people. A sense of loyalty to community, province, or region is part
of identity for many Canadians. Some Canadian musicians
demonstrate this loyalty by the music they produce.
Literature
• There are many Canadian authors and writers from the various
assortments of literary genres that depict a sense of Canadian
identity in their works.
• Children, from an early age, can be entertained and educated with
stories that illustrate the various ideas about Canadian identity.
• Canadian ballads, as well as modern storytellers, tell us of ordinary
and extraordinary events from our past. They provide insight into
our identity.