According to the very informative website,
The Ties that Bind : Chinese labour was used to build the railroad, and later to maintain it. Over 17,000 Chinese came to Canada from 1881 through 1884. Several thousand came from the coastal areas of the United States where they helped build the American transcontinental railroad, but the majority arrived directly from southern China. While most of these arrivals worked as labourers on the railroad, exact numbers are unknown. They encountered a hostile reception in British Columbia. The province already had a sizeable Chinese population following the gold rush in the late 1850s, and racism towards the Chinese was widespread. Newspaper articles and editorial illustrations of the time repeatedly portrayed the Chinese in a degrading way. Many feared that Chinese workers, who were willing to accept lower wages, would take jobs away from white workers. Also, the Chinese culture was abhorrent to white Canadians who did not understand Chinese cultural practices in areas such as dress, living conditions and even funeral rites. |
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All the Spikes But the Last
a poem by Scott, Francis Reginald (1899 - 1985) 1 Where are the coolies in your poem, Ned? 2 Where are the thousands from China who swung 3 their picks with bare hands at forty below? 4 Between the first and the million other spikes 5 they drove, and the dressed-up act of 6 Donald Smith, who has sung their story? 7 Did they fare so well in the land they helped to 8 unite? Did they get one of the 25,000,000 CPR acres? 9 Is all Canada has to say to them written in the Chinese 10 Immigration Act? |
What is that?: Monument pays tribute to nameless Chinese railway workers
BY DIANA PEREIRA The Memorial to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada stands in the railway corridor at Blue Jays Way and Navy Wharf Court. The monument is dedicated to the 17,000 railway workers who came from China to build the Canadian Pacific Railway between Alberta and British Columbia between 1880 and 1885. More than 4,000 of those workers died while building that railway. The Chinese Canadian community paid for the monument, built in 1989, and commissioned artist Eldon Garnet to create it and Francis Le Bouthillier to sculpt it. |
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A Few Facts about Residential Schools
WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN THESE SCHOOLS?
It is very possibly that you will meet someone in Canada who has been directly influenced by these schools. It is still a fresh wound in Canada that needs time and help to heal. |
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The Voices I Gained (song lyrics)
I lost my talk, the talk you took away Two ways I talk, both ways I stay A prayer demanded, which I say An order I’m forced, to obey I’m not who I am, Or who I used to be I wish I was free, free to be me Made to feel at fault, I lost my way Fear and dread, here I stay I’m so tired, of feeling unknown Wondering if I can, ever go home My spirit is drifting, slowly away Hoping for the day, It’ll all be okay Sometimes I cry, I don’t want to be here To even be around, or anywhere near Whenever I think about it, I shed a tear Isn’t it clear, I don’t want to be here I have changed, I don’t know who I am these days Spent so much time here, I can’t remember my ways The days go by, nights a different place If this is the past, then give me the space Placed into somewhere, I shouldn’t be To a place where I was, scared to be me Not all things are, what they seem Sometimes I wish, it was all a dream |
This song was one of many written in response to a famous poem by Rita Joe, called I Lost My Talk. This Poem tells the reader about Rita Joe's experience in a RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL. Click the link to check out the Rita Joe National Song Project home page. https://nac-cna.ca/en/ritajoesong
CREDITS: Norway House Cree/Métis Northern Manitoba Teacher Lead: Ryan D’Aoust Guest Artist: Ted Longbottom Video and Audio Production: David Wowchuk Photo Credit: Dave Wowchuk |
WHAT IS CANADA IN A DAY?
Canada In A Day is a CTV television event special made entirely from videos made by Canadians over the course of one day. On September 10th, 2016 Canadians grabbed their cameras and filmed their lives. Over 16,000 videos – from special occasions to simple moments – were collected from people from coast to coast to coast. People like you. Premiering Sunday, June 25th, as Canada gets set to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, Canada In A Day is a unique snapshot of one 24-hour period. From these individual stories comes a film that shows us who we are as a country at this moment in time. A time capsule for Canada. The people were asked to answer the following questions:
You can watch the video by going to this website: https://canadainaday.ca/ |
Learn about Residential Schools and the Effects they had on Many Indigenous Canadians by Watching Indian Horse"Indian Horse follows the life of Canadian First Nations boy, Saul Indian Horse, as he survives residential school and life amongst the racism of the 1970s. A talented hockey player, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism." (IMDB)
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2017 marks a significant moment in the History of Canada. 150 years ago, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia – united to create the Canadian Confederation, called the Dominion of Canada. On account of the British North America Act that became law July 1st,1867, these British colonies would be recognized as an independent nation. In the years that followed, the other provinces and territories joined the Dominion, making today's Canada a mari usque ad mare ("from sea to sea").
The 150th anniversary of Confederation gives Canadians the opportunity to get involved in their communities and to celebrate together our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our country’s place in the world. The major themes of the 150th anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, environment and youth. Memorable events will be held throughout the year in Canada and throughout the world. Come join us in our celebration of Canada! The official 150th Website The Canada 150th On Social Media: Twitter: @canada150th Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canada150th Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canada150/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cdnheritage http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/france/150Canada150.aspx?lang=eng |
Top 10 Facts About Canada |
To learn more about foods that come from Canada click the following link: https://haligonia.ca/150-canadian-foods-for-canada-150-197824/
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O Canada, Canada's National Anthem"When the first familiar chords of "O Canada" play at schools, hockey games and other events, Canadians stand with pride in honour of their country. Proclaimed to be Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, "O Canada" was first sung in French 100 years earlier." (Anthems of Canada)
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