Lesson 2 — Activity 1: What Is a Nation?
Lesson 2 — Activity 1: What Is a Nation?
Warm Up
You learned that nation is the root word of nationalism. Let's take a look now at this word. What is a nation? Nation means different things to different people. Some may think of nation as a country, while others may think of nation as people who share a sense of belonging together. Still others may have different ideas of what nation is.
In this activity, you will learn more about nation and about the elements that are important to the identity of a nation.
Is there a difference between a nation and a country? This can be hard to answer because people often use the two words to mean the same thing. And many related words and
phrases seem to suggest that their meaning is the same.
Here are some examples:
• "International" means "something carried on between countries or nations."
• "Nationalism" means, among other things, "feelings for a country."
• Only countries can be members of the United Nations.
On the other hand, many people believe that a country is different from a nation. Think about the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. They see themselves as a nation because they are a people with a clear sense of belonging, and they have a desire to control their own destiny. But they are not a country.
Now think about Canada:
We think of Canada as a country that stretches from sea to sea to sea. It has a single federal government and physical borders. The government makes the laws and conducts other business on behalf of all the citizens of Canada.
We can also think of Canada as a nation. The Canadian people share many values and beliefs, such as freedom, respect for cultural differences, and the right of all citizens to vote in elections. Canadians feel that they belong together.
Do you think of Canada as just your country — the place where you live? Or do you think of Canada as your nation — people who share your values and beliefs? Is being Canadian part
of your identity?
And can you belong to more than one nation?
Figuring out when a country is a country is quite easy. Looking at an atlas can usually confirm this for you. But it is harder to figure out when a nation is a nation because of the fact that there are many ideas about what a nation is. For a long period of time, people who study history have tried to understand these ideas. They have tried to write a definition that everyone can agree on. Below are some views about nation.
What Others have Said ...
"The nation is a shared identity." (Johann Gottlieb Fichte)
"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." (Mahatma Gandhi)
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, an 18th-century German philosopher was one of the first people to think about what makes a nation.
Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent Indian political leader who campaigned for Indian independence.
For our purposes in this course, we can say that:
-
a nation is a group of people organized under a single, independent
government AND
-
a nation is people who share common customs, origins, history, and
language
Looking at the second definition, let's see how the following elements can be important to the identity of a nation.
Land
Land can influence nations in many ways. Different geographic areas across Canada provide different resources, and these resources influence the way people live.
As well, particular places often inspire a sense of wonder and awe in people. The hoodoos of southern Alberta, for example, have inspired people for many centuries.
The phrase "spirit of place" has been used to describe the spiritual connection between human beings and particular places.
People’s relationship with the land can be linked to the connections that unite them. A place can be deeply important to people. It might be "home" — a place where they feel they belong. A place may provide a connection to ancestors. It may be the place where something important in the family happened, and all family members feel a connection to it.
In an excerpt from In Not Just a Platform For My Dance, see what Marilyn Dumont, a Metis poet, wrote about her connection to the land:
this land is
my tongue my eyes my mouth
this headstrong grass and relenting willow
these flat-footed fields and applauding leaves
these frank winds and electric sky lines
are my prayer
they are my medicine
and they become my song
this land is not
just a platform for my dance
Spirituality
People may develop spiritual bonds within their nation. Some Aboriginal peoples, for example, use spirit bundles; they burn sage,
sweetgrass, and cedar; and they take part in ceremonies such as powwows
or the annual Sun Dance. These traditions are very powerful connections
to their spirituality.
People today may use many strategies to stay in touch with their
spiritual identity. Many attend religious services. Some practise
meditation, others listen to music, watch the sun set, or go hiking in
favourite outdoor places.
Culture
The ways of life that people share can also inspire a sense of nation. In Canada, First Nations have distinct cultures. These cultures help them understand themselves as being nations.
The west coast of Canada is the traditional territory of the Haida. As a result, Haida culture is different from that of Plains First Nations, such as the Blackfoot, Cree, and Ojibwa. Both the Haida and Plains First Nations are Aboriginal peoples, but their cultures are very different.
Canadians of Chinese origin make up the largest non-European ethnic origin in Canada. In fact, the Chinese community is the fifth largest of any ethnic origin in Canada other than English or French. Chinese Canadians share characteristics that come from their common heritage.
Language
Did you know that English is the first language of approximately 480 million people around the world? This is true, but few people would say that the world's English speakers make up a single nation. Still, when a single language, whether it is English or another language, is spoken by a great many people, it can create a sense of nation.
A journalist who lives in France has expressed the importance of language to the people of his country:
"Language is our mother. We
absorb language with our mother’s milk. Language is our oxygen. Language
is inside us. It's in our heads, our hands . . . our bodies. Ripping our language from us is like ripping out half a pound of flesh." (Bernard Pivot)
Thinking
of Canada, in Québec, French is the first language of more than 80 per
cent of the people living there. Many Québecois are descended from
people who arrived from France in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Over the centuries, the French spoken by Québecois has become different from the French spoken in France. This unique language helps give them a
strong feeling of belonging together.
Self-check!
Try This!
Answer the following questions about nation.
1. What is a nation?
2. What are some ways people might develop spiritual bonds within their nation?
3. What is one thing that helps give many Québecois a strong feeling of belonging together?