The Peoples of British North America
This particular section of the text discusses cultural groups in BNA. Please be aware that this topic will require you to be sensitive and respectful to those around you. Some of you may be from cultural groups who were disempowered in the 1850s.
Read the introduction to this section on page 82. Enter diversity and immigrant into your glossary.
Read the Think it Through on page 89.
Now, read pages 82-89.
As you read, please complete the charton the backof the page. It is to take notes on this section (the first one is done for you). If you encounter a challenging passage:
-Read through the topic once to get a general understanding, then reread it to improve your understanding.
-In your second reading, pause frequently to think about the information and perhaps take notes.
-If you aren’t sure about something, write down your question. Discuss it with someone.
-Make a list of key words – this is one way of summarizing main ideas.
When you are done reading and completing the chart, answer the following questions:
1)What pattern do you notice in who was most empowered and most disempowered?
2)How did immigration change the balance of power?
3)Do you think it is usual in most societies that some people have more opportunities than others?
4)Why do you think it is most often minorities who are disempowered?
Group / Opportunities / Challenges / How was the group affected by immigration?The Elite / * had a lot of political and economic power – very secure economically / * finding ways to hold on to its power / Changes in society could affect its status.
English and Scottish settlers / A better life in BNA than in their homeland. / Finding work
Clearing land / They are the immigrants
Irish settlers / A better life in BNA than in their homeland. / Finding work
Clearing land
Faced discrimination / They are the immigrants
French in Canada East / - had the majority in Canada East (gave them political empowerment)
- good farms / - worried they would be in the minority
- difficult to keep their language and special rights /
Acadians / - strong communities
- allowed to build up their communities in BNA / - living in poverty because they lost their farmland
- faced discrimination / - Expulsion
- immigrants took their land
First Nations / - guaranteed some land by the British (though some still taken over) / - diseases
- loss of empowerment
- racism / - loss of lands
Inuit / Helped with fur trade
/ -Hudson’s Bay Company took over their land
-loss of population
Métis / -Racism
-Fewer opportunities for employment / The first Metis exist because of immigration (their dads are the immigrants)
Black Colonists / - they have more freedom
- have land/place to live / - discrimination
- poor land (no title) so could lose their land
- low paying jobs / - more discrimination
Now, turn back to the front of the page and answer the questions.