Although being relatively young, Canada is a country rich in history that shapes its identity in a multitude of ways. Given its geographical location, it shares some similarities with other Nordic and Baltic countries. Moreover, challenges pertaining to Indigenous populations and migration can be juxtaposed and explored in a nuanced perspective. In their book  Nordic and Baltic Perspectives in Canadian Studies, Sara Bédard-Goulet, Assistant Professor of French and General Literature at Utrecht University and Christophe Premat, Professor in French at Stockholm University, explore this idea, which I will engage with by discussing different ways in which we can construct Canadian identity, notably through bilingualism and migration issues.

Due to their different histories and social backgrounds, Nordic and Baltic countries experience these concepts differently. Yet there is value in comparing the two regions and using this outside perspective as a tool to assess and question the way Canada has dealt with identity concerns and how it has shaped the current state of the country, as well as a future path for diversity and reconciliation.

The Manifestation of Bilingualism in Canada and the Baltics

Similar to other Baltic countries, the culmination of Canada's history leads to cultural clashes that challenge the Canadian identity. A major manifestation of them is bilingualism and its importance in education and day-to-day life. Chapter 6 of the book features Tatjana Bicjutko exploring the matter by comparing the Canadian stance on bilingualism to that of Estonia and Latvia regarding Russian. Both cases display a “situation of asymmetric bilingualism” (Bédard-Goulet & Premat, 2023, p. 208) tackled in interestingly differing ways.

The dynamics between French and English differ depending on whether we locate ourselves within or outside of Quebec. In a way, we could argue that Estonia's bilingualism policies are more akin to Canada's French immersion programs in the English-speaking part, and Latvia's submerging transitional bilingualism relates more to Quebec's language policies. The issue of Canadian identity becomes interesting to consider beyond a national understanding of it, as there seems to be a regional aspect resulting from the historical upbringing of Quebec that marginalizes it from the rest of Canada. Just as “Latvia's emphasis has always been on protecting national identity,” (Bédard-Goulet & Premat, 2023, p. 210), Quebec faces a similar situation where securing its identity is partly reliant on uniformizing policies such as Bill 101 (Bédard-Goulet & Premat, 2023, p. 198). Policies such as Bill 101 also influence Canada's relationship to migration and integration.

Migration has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian identity. Canada's Multiculturalism Act was officially adopted in 1998 and has been both celebrated and critiqued (Bédard-Goulet & Premat, 2023, p. 205). As much as it has allowed for the flourishing of diverse cultures within Canada, it has also raised questions about integration, social cohesion, and the potential for cultural enclaves. One of the major reasons for this skepticism is that because of the delicate history of Canada regarding Indigenous people, the integration of migrants into Canadian society involves navigating a landscape that is already rich with Native cultures and histories. A challenge therefore arises to create a cohesive national identity that respects and acknowledges Indigenous rights while embracing new cultural influences. In places where migrant and Indigenous communities meet, this may spark tensions.

Indigenous Recognition

The recognition of Indigenous rights and cultures is consequently a critical aspect of Canadian identity, which can be compared in a way to the situation of the Sami people in the Nordics, who have been oppressed. In June 2008, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized on behalf of the country and created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of residential schools and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians (Cochrane, Blidook, & Dyck, 2017, p. 85). The TRC's calls to action have spurred a national conversation about the rights of Indigenous peoples, land claims, and the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.

The Sami people's experiences in the Nordics provide a point of comparison as these topics are largely relevant to the challenges they face. Nordic countries have implemented various policies and legal frameworks to protect Sami rights and cultures, although challenges remain. The Sami Parliament in Norway, for example, represents a major step towards self-determination, something that many Indigenous groups in Canada are still striving for.

From a Nordic and Baltic perspective, the challenges faced by Canada in recognizing Indigenous rights may appear both familiar and distinct. Familiar, because the Sami and other Indigenous groups have similar struggles for recognition and rights. Distinct, because the historical, legal, and political contexts differ significantly, influencing how these issues are addressed.

The Baltic Experience in Canada

The work of Estonian-Canadian author K.Linda Kivi encompasses a large part of what makes up the struggle of various communities within Canada. On one hand, Kivi successfully depicts the concept of generational trauma in If Home is a Place (Rein, 2024). In the novel, we are left with the perspective of a protagonist effectively living on the memory of the atrocities her parents experienced. This idea of living memory is directly comparable to the experience of Indigenous communities in Canada. Bédard-Goulet & Premat refer to the particular case of the Beothuk people described in the Beothuk Saga by Bernard Assiniwi.

The young people did not remember this lesson, and so the Living Memories of each clan were charged with reminding them of this sorrowful incident, as well as telling them of all the dangers experienced by their ancestor Anin during his voyage around the land of the Beothuk (Assiniwi, 2000, p. 144, in Bédard-Goulet & Premat, 2023, p. 34).

Further analyzing Assiniwi’s novel, we understand that the primary remedy for generational trauma is resilience, which begins with understanding one’s own identity: this can, however, be challenging as an immigrant, and it is a struggle that is presented in If Home is a Place. In fact, Kivi also puts forward the experiences of migrants and the challenges of integration and belonging in a foreign culture. Migration could be seen as an additional burden to pre-existing tensions with indigenous communities. Canada's identity is often framed by its multicultural policy and the notion of a mosaic rather than a melting pot. This framing, while inclusive, can sometimes obscure the ongoing colonial dynamics and power imbalances that persist in the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. However, Kivi’s Estonian perspective allows us to see that there is value in the fact that both may share, although on different scales, experiences that taint people’s appropriation of Canadian identity.

Conclusion

Bédard-Goulet and Premat shed light on a broader view of Canadian identity and its difficulties in integrating newcomers while respecting indigenous populations, without denying its sub-national and national dimensions. Drawing parallels with Nordic and Baltic countries’ situations could give us better insights into the intricacies involved in building an inclusive, respectful and united country. It highlights the significance of conversation between diverse cultural and national contexts to learn from one another’s experiences and approaches.

Works Cited

Bédard-Goulet, S., & Premat, C. (2023). Nordic and Baltic Perspectives in Canadian Studies. Stockholm: Stockholm University Press. doi:https://doi.org/10.16993/bci

Cochrane, C., Blidook, K., & Dyck, R. (2017). Canadian Politics Critical Approaches. Toronto: Nelson Education.

Rein, E. (2024, June 14). The Estonian-Canadian Writer K.Linda Kivi in the Context of Canadian Multicultural Writing. Récupéré sur https://athena.itslearning.com/ContentArea/ContentArea.aspx?LocationID=24971&LocationType=1&ElementID=2943316