English Language Arts A30
Module 4
Lesson 14
“Every great empire has an emblem,” Henri Joly said
in 1865 during the debates about the Confederation
of Upper and Lower Canada. He proposed adopting the
rainbow: “By the endless variety of its tints, the
rainbow will give an excellent idea of the diversity
of races, religions, sentiments and interests of the
different parts of Confederation.”
Canada Year Book 1999
All Rights
Reserved
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Objectives
As a student of language arts and communication processes, in
Lesson Fourteen of the English Language Arts A30 course, you will
have the opportunity to:

practise the behaviours of an effective reader.

read a variety of written materials.

explore human experiences and values reflected in texts.

record responses in a response journal.

practise the behaviours of an effective listener.

listen to one short story.

respond to literature creatively and personally.

create a poster.

write a personal narrative.

revise text.

build vocabulary.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Resources
Articles
Canadian culture: A category?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071205.canterburysean12
04/BNStory/census2006/home
Canadian Top 10
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071205.canterburyseansid
ebar1204/BNStory/census2006
His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, Speech on the Occasion of the Opening
Ceremony of the National Art Matters Forum
http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?DocID=5352&lang=e
Ethnic diversity and immigration
http://www41.statcan.ca/2007/30000/ceb30000_000_e.htm
Population by Ethnic Origin by Province
http://www.asiapacific.ca/en/publications/statistical-reports/population-ethnic-originprovince
Multiculturalism Jean Burnet
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA
0005511
“Fight racism and have a bit of fun” Kevin O’Connor
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=17&did=254584121&SrchMode=3&sid=2&
Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1239987195&clien
tId=65247&aid=7
“My Canada” Tomson Highway
http://www.imperialoil.com/Canada
English/thisis/publications/2000q1/mycanada.htm
Short Stories
“David Goes to the Reserve” by Doug Cuthand (Sundog Highway)
Poems
“Put on my Mask for a change” by Annharte Baker (Sundog Highway)
“Improvised Song of Joy” an Igloolik Inuit song
http://books.google.ca/books?id=xpnn0aNIS4IC&pg=PA295&lpg=PA295&dq=%22Improvised+s
ong+of+Joy%22+Poems+of+the+Eskimo&source=bl&ots=n2PFfA8b_z&sig=b_2Se87cPguI8Cxj
3MxboNwgY4&hl=en&ei=HLnoSfSXIoiEtAO8kKHpAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=
1
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Lesson Fourteen – Diverse
Canadian Voices
Introduction
How does one find out about the multitude of cultures that exist within the borders
of Canada? Perhaps the most exciting way is to travel and visit with people whose
cultures are different from your own. Another way is to attend cultural activities
that abound in this nation: music festivals, dance recitals, multicultural events, pow
wows, chautauquas, fêtes, ceilidhs, film festivals, and so on. Eating foods from
different cultures is a delicious way to learn a bit about cultures other than your
own. Learning a language other than your native one will also teach you about a
culture of which the language is part and parcel. A fifth way to learn is to read
stories written by people whose culture is different from yours. Keep in mind,
however, that no single cultural event, no single learning experience, nor any single
form of literary representation can adequately reflect a culture’s complexity. In a
short story, for example, you will see only one small aspect of a culture and you will
need to understand that the individual sensibility of the author is reflected in that
story as well. In Lesson Fourteen you are invited to enjoy reading literature from
various cultures and as well listen to a short story on your listening tape. In this
lesson you are also given the opportunity to respond to the literature and to learn
more about the art of revision.
Reread the quotation on the front cover of this lesson. In your response journal
state why or why not a rainbow might have been an appropriate symbol for Canada.
Give one reason for your answer.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Multicultural Voices
Canada has always been a place of diversities – racial, ethnic, linguistic.
Smaro Kamboureli
What is Culture?
Scan the dictionary entry below. How many different definitions of culture are
there?
Nelson Canadian Dictionary of the English Language
Always keep in mind that in the English language a word may have more than one
meaning. A dictionary (there are many different kinds) is an invaluable resource
when doing any kind of writing or reading. Should you need help in using a
dictionary or other reference books and resources, see the “Reference Books and
Technological Resources” section of your English Language Arts Ready
Reference.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Cultures and Cultural Change
Simply defined 'culture' is the way of life of a group of people. Culture includes the
collective attitudes or values of people; the structures and institutions, including
patterns of behaviour and technology; and the symbols (including language) that
people use and hold.
Any culture is made up of numerous sub-cultures; these may be based on age, sex,
interest, values, symbols, institutions or patterns of behaviour. One kind of subculture is an ethnic sub-culture. Canadian culture is more than the sum of the parts,
the parts being all the sub-cultures in Canada.
Culture is dynamic. As we individually and collectively participate, collaborate, and
change so does Canadian culture. Whether it is the original people, the older
immigrant groups that came in numbers, or the recent ones, all groups in Canada
have changed culturally since they came here. At the same time, many groups have
maintained connections with antecedent countries or cultures or kindred people.
Community and Culture
For the purposes of the rest of this lesson we will use the first definition of culture:
the totality of socially transmitted behaviour patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and
all other products of human work and thought.” The term “culture” has more than
one meaning.
As you read the following essay, consider your own definition of Canadian culture.
What is Canadian Culture?
Read the following articles.
Canadian culture: A category?
The Grade 10 literary arts students at Canterbury High School in
Ottawa were asked to explore and reflect on subjects of their
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
choice around the issues of immigration and language. Sean tries
to get a handle on Canadian culture
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071205.canterburysean1204/BNStory/
census2006/home
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071205.canterburyseansidebar1204/B
NStory/census2006
His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond
Speech on the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the National Art
Matters Forum
http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?DocID=5352&lang=e
Multiculturalism – the Cultures of Many
http://www41.statcan.ca/2007/30000/ceb30000_000_e.htm
The tables in the web site below indicates the diversity of our Canadian population
http://www.asiapacific.ca/en/publications/statistical-reports/population-ethnic-originprovince
After surveying the above tables from the 2001 Census, state, in your response
journal, one fact you find to be interesting. Give one reason for your answer. What
do you think could have changed in our population since2001? State one idea and
your reason.
Canada has been described as a multicultural country. Read the following essay to
understand the Canadian process of defining multiculturalism.
What is Multiculturalism?
Jean Burnet
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005511
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Since the late 1970s most Canadians have accepted the term multiculturalism and
have come to embrace the concept and support it wholeheartedly.
In your response journal state whether you agree or disagree with the concept that
Canada values cultural diversity. Provide one reason for your statement.
March 21 – the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
March 21, 1960, the world was shocked by news of the Sharpeville Massacre in
South Africa: seventy anti-apartheid demonstrators conducting a peaceful
demonstration were shot and killed by police. In commemoration of this tragic
event, the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In 1989, the Government of Canada showed support for the United Nations’
declaration by launching its first national March 21 campaign. The focus of the
campaign is twofold and has remained the same year after year:


to inform Canadians about the nature of racism and its ugly presence in our
society; and
to encourage everyone to do something, however small, to eradicate racism
whenever it is recognized – at home, at work, or at play.
Does your school or community recognize March 21 in any special way?
In Regina this day is recognized and the people participating in the activities also try
to have fun in the process.
Read the following article written for the Regina Leader Post, by Kevin O’Connor.
Fight racism and have a bit of fun
Kevin O’Connor
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=17&did=254584121&SrchMode=3&sid=2&
Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1239987195&clien
tId=65247&aid=7
For those of you who wish to read more about multiculturalism in Canada the
following book may be of interest: Multiculturalism in Canada: The Challenge of
Diversity by Jean Leonard Elliott and Augie Fleras. This book was published by
Nelson Canada in 1992.
For those of you who wish to read literature written by Canadian writers who may
come from a culture different from your own, the following list of titles may be of
interest. This is not an exhaustive list; it is only a few suggestions.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Making a Difference: Canadian Multicultural Literature – Oxford University Press, 1996
An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English - Oxford University Press, 1998
Pens of Many Colours: A Canadian Reader – Harcourt Brace & Company, 1997
Who Speaks for Canada?: Words That Shape a Country – McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1998
For those of you who are interested in knowing more about multiculturalism, the
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the United
Nations, the following web sites may be of interest to you.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/sujct/divers-multi/index-eng.cfm
http://www.un.org/works/
Clifford Carrier states, “ We’re here on a journey. Everybody has to help everybody
along the way and we have to respect everybody.” Why do you think this does not
happen all the time? Do some people fear people whose cultures are different from
their own? Do some people just fear the unknown? Sheila Stevenson, a
Saskatchewan writer and teacher, feels that fear sometimes, “prevents us from
transcending borders of race and culture.”
As you read Stevenson’s short story, “David Goes to the Reserve,” which is found in
your anthology Sundog Highway, consider the following questions.





Does the outward appearance of people affect your judgement of them?
How do people learn about cultures other than their own?
Does fear play a big part in racist attitudes?
What is David afraid of in this story?
What is the tone of the narrator in this story?
In your response journal explain what David is afraid of in this story. Give one
reason for your answer.
There is an old adage that says the only true way to understand others is to walk a
mile in their shoes. Empathy is the theme of a poem written by Annharte (Marie
Annharte Baker). Instead of asking people to walk a mile in another’s shoes, she
asks people in this poem to feel empathy for others in a different manner.
As you read “Put on My Mask for a Change” by Marie Annharte Baker which is found
in your anthology Sundog Highway, think about how cultures other than your own
teach children to have empathy for others. Think, also, about how your culture
teaches children to have empathy for others.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Be sure to read the biographical entries and authors’ statements of the two writers
whose works you have just read. These entries and statements are to be found in
the back pages of the anthology.
Clifford Carrier tells us that his parents told him as a child to, “respect everybody
because we’re all human beings.” In a short statement in your response journal tell
what advice your parents, guardians, or teachers gave you as a child about getting
along with others.
Voices from the North
Improvised Song of Joy
Igloolik Inuit song
http://books.google.ca/books?id=xpnn0aNIS4IC&pg=PA295&lpg=PA295&dq=%22Improvised+s
ong+of+Joy%22+Poems+of+the+Eskimo&source=bl&ots=n2PFfA8b_z&sig=b_2Se87cPguI8Cxj
3MxboNwgY4&hl=en&ei=HLnoSfSXIoiEtAO8kKHpAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=
1
For those of you who wish to know more about Iqaluit, Nunavut, and other
regions and cultures of Canada, the following web sites may be of interest to you.
http://www.gov.nu.ca/
http://www.tapirisat.ca/
http://www.asian.ca
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/
http://www.iceland2000.org/
http://ukrhistory.tripod.com/doc-042.html
http://auuc.org/Index2.html
http://www.najc.ca/
http://www.beamccowan.com/fiarsand.htm
http://members.tripod.com/~gail25dobbs.htm
Canada – How do I Love Thee?
According to most pundits, the majority of Canadians do not announce openly that
Canada is the greatest country in the world as do our fellow North Americans just to
the south of us. Apparently, we do not have their patriotic fervour. Do you
remember Josh Freed’s essay “All Quiet on the Northern Front” in Lesson Two? Most
of us, however, do have a great love for this land albeit for different reasons. Why
do you love this country? Tomson Highway loves this country because of its cultural
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
diversity. As you read the following short essay by Highway, ask yourself why you
love Canada.
Thomson Highway
“My Canada”
Tomson Highway
http://www.imperialoil.com/CanadaEnglish/thisis/publications/2000q1/mycanada.htm
Revision as Part of the Writing Process
Finding something worth writing about may seem more crucial than writing it clearly
and correctly. Both, however, are of equal importance. Poor mastery of syntax and
grammar can ruin a potentially good piece of writing. On the other hand, it is also
possible to compose an essay that is totally lacking in voice but is written in
grammatically flawless, perfectly correct word order, or syntax. Voice is that
element in written words that carries with it the sense that someone has actually
written these words: not a committee, not a computer but a single human being.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
For help in sentence structure, subjects and verbs see the "Grammar" section of
your English Language Arts Ready Reference.
For help with problems in creating effective sentences see 'Writing Problems" in
the "Communication Strategies" section of your English Language
Arts Ready Reference.
For help in using verbs in your writing see the "Special Forms of
Writing" section of your English Language Arts Ready Reference.
Subject – Verb Agreement
Apply your knowledge of subject/verb agreement in the following sentences by
circling or highlighting the correct verb form. Check your answers against those
provided later in the lesson.
1.
Only one of the girls with stacks of books (is, are) studying for the test.
2.
The queen, surrounded by many attendants and ladies-in-waiting, all looking
splendid, (is, are) entering the ballroom.
3.
(There is, There are) many reasons for everyone to help improve our
environment.
4.
A series of hockey games between a travelling Swedish team and several NHL
teams (is, are) planned.
5.
When (was, were) Jenna and Marisa supposed to go shopping together?
6.
Either Jason or Donavon (seem, seems) to have placed all the oranges in one
box.
7.
Here (is, are) some studies, for example, with evidence that pet owners
suffer from lower-than-average stress levels.
8.
Two dollars (is, are) the price of admission to the gardens.
9.
Gwen receives good grades in chemistry, but mathematics (is, are) her best
subject in school.
10.
Every student who finishes this exercise correctly (has, have) a better
understanding of grammar.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Answers to Subject – Verb Agreement
1. Only one of the girls with stacks of books is studying for the test.
2. The queen, surrounded by many attendants and ladies-in-waiting, all looking splendid, is
entering the ballroom.
3. There are many reasons for everyone to help improve our environment.
4. A series of hockey games between a travelling Swedish team and several NHL teams is
planned.
5. When were Jenna and Marisa supposed to go shopping together?
6. Either Jason or Donavon seems to have placed all the oranges in one box.
7. Here are some studies, for example, with evidence that pet owners suffer from lower-thanaverage stress levels.
8. Two dollars is the price of admission to the gardens.
9. Gwen receives good grades in chemistry, but mathematics is her best subject in school.
10. Every student who finishes this exercise correctly has a better understanding of grammar.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
Response Journal
Rainbow Symbol
The rainbow symbol might/might not have made a good symbol for Canada
because____________________________________________________________
(one reason)
Ethnic Categories
One interesting fact I find in the ethnic categories table is _____________________
____________________________________________________________________
because_____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(one reason)
Something that could have changed in Canada's population since the 2001 Census is
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
because _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Multiculturalism
I agree/disagree that Canada values cultural diversity.
(one reason)
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
“David Goes to the Reserve”
David is afraid of ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
because______________________________________________________________
(one reason)
Advice
In a short statement tell what advice your parents, guardians, or teachers gave you
as a child about getting along with others.
Note: These response journal pages will be submitted with Assignment
Fifteen.
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144
English Language Arts A30
Lesson 144