The Original Inhabitants

Before the French and the English came to Canada there were groups of Native Indians in every region. Distinct nations of Indians lived on the East Coast, in the Central area, on the Plains and on the West Coast. The Inuit lived in the North. The First Peoples in Canada developed unique cultures based on where and how each group lived. In the central plains, where groups of families cooperated in hunting buffalo, they would follow the animals and resettle often. The Indians of the Pacific Coast fished from the sea and were able to develop permanent villages. In the North, the Inuit lived by the sea in the winter and traveled inland in the summer.

Over the years, the First Peoples have worked to raise awareness of their identity among Canadian governments and the general public. They have also worked to apply their distinctive rights to lands and resources and to govern themselves within Canadian society.

The Beginnings of Multiculturalism

European explorers first came to North America in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, the area that is now Canada was not settled until the 17th century. The British and the French were the first two European groups to move here in large numbers. Each group brought its own language, system of government, laws and culture.

Canada was created in 1867 when Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick joined together. This act is celebrated each year on July 1 as Canada’s official birthday. The name Canada may have come from the word "Kanata" in the language of the Huron-Iroquois Indians, which means a village or settlement.

The first Canadian Immigration Act was passed in 1869. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advertising brought immigrants from Europe. Some settled in towns and cities, and others provided labour for factories, mines and lumber camps. Many were farmers who turned the western prairie into wheat fields. The building of our national railways by immigrants joined the East and West coasts and opened the interior for settlement.

Immigration from Around the World

Not all immigrants came to Canada from Europe. Blacks came from Africa as slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. When slavery ended in Canada, Blacks came here to escape from slavery in the United States. Asians also immigrated to Canada. Many of the Chinese and Japanese immigrants settled in British Columbia and other parts of western Canada. After both World Wars, people came as refugees from Europe. More immigrants also came to Canada from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific Rim. All of these newcomers helped to build Canada’s peacetime economy. Canada’s experience during and after World War II raised awareness of the needs of refugees and the need of families to be together. All of this has been reflected in Canada’s immigration policies. Many people fleeing civil war, political unrest and natural disasters have come to Canada. Today, Canada is home to immigrants from every part of the world. In 1992, people from more than 200 different countries came to Canada. The majority were Asians, Africans, South Americans and Central Americans. One out of every four people in Canada comes from an ethnic background other than English or French.

Canadian Values

Canada is a distinctive country. Our values and way of life influence every person who comes here to live. At the same time, newcomers influence Canada and our collective identity. We may have differences, but we share many important qualities that strengthen our society. Optimism. Canada is a dynamic and democratic country. Canadians work to improve their lives and society. Some people face greater hardship than others, but most Canadians have faith and hope for the future. Compromise and Cooperation. Most Canadians understand the value of compromise. In a country as large and diverse as Canada, people must be able to ignore small conflicts in order to live happily and peacefully.