Canadian identity
Northern national character
Canadian identity is the collective sense of what distinguishes Canadians as a people—their shared values, symbols, and cultural touchstones.
It often defines itself in contrast to American identity: universal healthcare, multiculturalism, hockey, politeness, and a certain self-deprecating reserve.
The concept is frequently debated, with some arguing Canadian identity is precisely this ongoing uncertainty about what it means to be Canadian: The search for Canadian identity is itself part of Canadian identity.
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
- RockiesNorth American mountain chain
- lakesLarge inland water bodies
- forestsDensely treed land areas
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
taiga · canoeing · camping · provincial parks · national parks · Banff · Algonquin · wildlife
Status as state member
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
democracy · Commonwealth · province · territory · confederation · Mounties · beaver · national anthem
Canada's non-Inuit indigenous peoples
- InuitArctic indigenous people
- MétisCanadian mixed-ancestry Indigenous nation
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- residential schoolsInstitutions for Indigenous assimilation
land acknowledgment · treaties · elders · powwow · totem poles · Haida · Cree · Ojibwe
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- diversityState of varied elements
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
cultural mosaic · multiculturalism policy · heritage · Chinatown · Little Italy · integration · coexistence · tolerance
Distinctive lobed tree foliage
- flagCloth symbol or signal
- syrupThick sugar liquid
- sugar shackMaple syrup production building
- autumn leavesDeciduous trees' seasonal shedding
sap · maple taffy · amber · harvest · fall colors · pancakes · Quebec · sweetness
Expressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
holding doors · considerate · respectful · nice · passive · non-confrontational · modest · self-deprecating
Pro hockey's top prize
- NHLPro hockey organization
- shinnyClimb using arms and legs
- ZamboniRink-smoothing vehicle
- rinkEnclosed skating surface
puck · Tim Hortons · pond hockey · playoffs · hat trick · slapshot · faceoff · penalty box
Of or from Paris's nation
- EnglishBritain's native tongue
- francophoneNative speaker of French
- anglophoneNative speaker of English
- immersionState of being submerged
dual-language · Quebec · New Brunswick · translation · language barrier · bilingual education · Acadia · Montreal
backcountry
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
tundra · taiga · canoeing · camping · provincial parks · national parks · Banff · Algonquin · wildlife · moose
citizenship
Status as state member
- passportGovernment-issued travel credential
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
constitution · democracy · Commonwealth · province · territory · confederation · Mounties · beaver · national anthem · patriotism
First Nations
Canada's non-Inuit indigenous peoples
- InuitArctic indigenous people
- MétisCanadian mixed-ancestry Indigenous nation
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
residential schools · land acknowledgment · treaties · elders · powwow · totem poles · Haida · Cree · Ojibwe · throat singing
mosaic
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- diversityState of varied elements
- immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
inclusivity · cultural mosaic · multiculturalism policy · heritage · Chinatown · Little Italy · integration · coexistence · tolerance · intercultural
maple leaf
Distinctive lobed tree foliage
- flagCloth symbol or signal
- syrupThick sugar liquid
- sugar shackMaple syrup production building
autumn leaves · sap · maple taffy · amber · harvest · fall colors · pancakes · Quebec · sweetness · national symbol
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- friendlyShowing kindness, warmth
politeness · holding doors · considerate · respectful · nice · passive · non-confrontational · modest · self-deprecating · understated
Stanley Cup
Pro hockey's top prize
rink · puck · Tim Hortons · pond hockey · playoffs · hat trick · slapshot · faceoff · penalty box · powerplay
French
Of or from Paris's nation
- EnglishBritain's native tongue
- francophoneNative speaker of French
- anglophoneNative speaker of English
immersion · dual-language · Quebec · New Brunswick · translation · language barrier · bilingual education · Acadia · Montreal · Ottawa
Canadian identityAmerican identity
Collective self-understanding of citizens
American exceptionalism · American nationalism · American individualism · British identity · manifest destiny
identity, Canada, Canadian, Canadians, Canadiana, Canadianism