Expressions of Nationalism A Sense of Nation Among

Expressions of Nationalism A Sense of Nation Among Ukrainians, Métis, Acadians and Canadians…

What are expressions of nationalism? • Nationalism: the collective, shared sense of belonging of people who identify themselves as a nation.

Expressions of Nationalism • When individuals or groups of people communicate or act on this shared sense of belonging, these communications and actions are expressions of nationalism.

How do nations express their nationalism? • People can choose to express their nationalism in a variety of ways… – – – – Celebrations of identity Political actions Writing and telling of history Artwork Literature Multimedia Magazines, newspapers, songs, music, speeches

Expressions of Nationalism • Nationalism can also be expressed in how people live as a nation, in their daily lives and ways of life.

Expressions of Nationalism • …are motivated by the desire to reinforce feelings of belonging in the people of a nation. • This can lead to the unification of the individuals of the nation, to the confirmation of the nation’s identity.

Ukrainian Canadians • Many ethnic Ukrainians who either live in Canada or in the Ukraine share a collective sense of nationality based on – Food – Clothing styles – Celebrations (Orange Revolution) – Shared experiences (history of oppression from the former USSR) – Cultural symbols (pysanky)

Expressions Among the Métis • Descendents of Aboriginal women and French/British/Scottish explorers. • Settled mainly in the Red River area of Southern Manitoba. • Sense of nation is largely based on their shared history of discrimination and displacement by John A. Macdonald’s government during confederation.

The Métis • Louis Riel was executed by order of the Canadian government in 1885 after he led a rebellion against the government over land disputes and unanswered letters of petition to the government. • Riel was both Métis and French Canadian, and both nations include Riel in their telling of their histories.

The Acadians • 1713 – the Treaty of Utrecht stated that the French colony of Acadia (the British called it Nova Scotia) was to become a British colony. • 1755 – the Acadians were able to negotiate neutrality with the British that had taken control of their colony.

The Acadians • This neutrality allowed them to continue to live in Acadia (Nova Scotia) but to exclude them from the ongoing conflicts between the British and the French. • However, later in 1755, the British broke this neutrality agreement and demanded that the Acadians pledge allegiance to the British. • They refused, and were deported out of Acadia.

Le grand dérangement • A shared, common history has connected Acadians from all over the world. • The Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) is held every five years to celebrate the Acadian shared heritage and identity. • The mission of the CMA is to develop closer connections among Acadians around the world.

Canadians • Canadians express their sense of nationalism through – The Arts (literature, songs, poems, paintings) – The Flag, Coat of Arms, National Anthem – Shared culture (sports, travel, recreation) – Politics (international ventures, peacekeeping missions, supporting our troops, etc. ) – Official Multiculturalism laws