This document provides an overview and introduction to Canada for American educators. It begins by discussing common stereotypes Americans have about Canada, such as hockey, polar bears, and maple leaves. It then explores what it means to be Canadian through a popular commercial. The rest of the document covers basic facts about Canadian geography, government, history, culture and symbols. It aims to help educators look beyond stereotypes and understand the similarities and differences between Canada and the United States. Resources for further teaching about Canada are also provided.

1. Canada 101Canada 101
Presented by
Paul Storer, Program Director
and
Tina Storer, Program Coordinator
STUDY CANADA Summer Institute for K-12 Educators
Presented in Ottawa, ON - June 26, 2014

2. What do students know about Canada?What do students know about Canada?
 NorthNorth
 HockeyHockey
 Polar bears/igloosPolar bears/igloos
 Long cold wintersLong cold winters
 Maple LeafMaple Leaf
 Anne of Green GablesAnne of Green Gables
 TotemsTotems
What does it mean to be Canadian?What does it mean to be Canadian?
“I am Canadian” Commercial“I am Canadian” Commercial
httphttp://://vimeo.com/26274869vimeo.com/26274869

3. LookingLooking
beyondbeyond
stereotypes isstereotypes is
important…important…
NB: The infographic above was created byNB: The infographic above was created by
Vancouver-area resident Kirstin Hallett, aVancouver-area resident Kirstin Hallett, a
marketing professional/graphic designermarketing professional/graphic designer
(and former public relations rep), originally(and former public relations rep), originally
from Johannesburg, South Africa.from Johannesburg, South Africa.

4. You may recognize cultural impactYou may recognize cultural impact
sometimessometimes

5. and sometimes not…and sometimes not…

6. And folks don’t always get it right….And folks don’t always get it right….
Made in the U.S.A.: The Kroger Company, Cincinnati, OH

7. The Basics: National SymbolsThe Basics: National Symbols
 National Animal?National Animal?
 National Anthem?National Anthem?
 National Sport?National Sport?
 National Flag?National Flag?
 National Crest?National Crest?
 National Language(s)?National Language(s)?
Oh Canada!
Hello! / Bonjour!Hello! / Bonjour!

8. The Basics: GeographyThe Basics: Geography
22ndnd
largest countrylargest country (after Russia)(after Russia)

Canada is larger than the US by the size of TexasCanada is larger than the US by the size of Texas
Total population approx. 33.5 millionTotal population approx. 33.5 million

Canada has 1/10Canada has 1/10thth
the US population–approx. 300 million)the US population–approx. 300 million)
10 Provinces, 3 Territories10 Provinces, 3 Territories
National Capital: OttawaNational Capital: Ottawa
Like US states, each province/territory has its ownLike US states, each province/territory has its own
capital as well.capital as well.

9. JustJust howhow big is Canada?big is Canada?
World map
Victoria to St. John’s = St. John’s to Moscow
Toronto to Ellesmere Is. = Toronto to Bogotá, Colombia

10. Canada has 10 Provinces and 3 TerritoriesCanada has 10 Provinces and 3 Territories

11. and six time zones.and six time zones.

13. The Basics:The Basics:
We Share the PastWe Share the Past
 First PeoplesFirst Peoples
 European Exploration and SettlementEuropean Exploration and Settlement
 Colonial PastColonial Past
 Modern Nations of ImmigrantsModern Nations of Immigrants
 Long-standing and Strong Economic TiesLong-standing and Strong Economic Ties
 Social Connections – Similar Values and CulturesSocial Connections – Similar Values and Cultures
 Nations shaped by WarNations shaped by War (American Revolution, War of 1812 and(American Revolution, War of 1812 and
American Civil War)American Civil War)
 Defense PartnersDefense Partners (NORAD, NATO, WW I & II, Korea, Afghanistan)(NORAD, NATO, WW I & II, Korea, Afghanistan)
 Unique border security cooperation & joint law enforcementUnique border security cooperation & joint law enforcement

14. and the Presentand the Present

15. The Basics: GovernmentThe Basics: Government
BothBoth Canada and the US…Canada and the US…
 are democracies;are democracies;
 have a written Constitution;have a written Constitution;
 have a Senate; and…have a Senate; and…
Canadian Parliament
US Congress

16.  have a Head of Government whohave a Head of Government who
appoints members to his Cabinetappoints members to his Cabinet
(Secretary of Defense / Minister of Defense)(Secretary of Defense / Minister of Defense)
President Prime Minister
Barack Obama Stephen Harper
BUTBUT……

17. Canada is also very different because it...Canada is also very different because it...
is a Constitutional Monarchy;is a Constitutional Monarchy;
is a member of the British Commonwealth;is a member of the British Commonwealth;
has a Parliamentary form of government;has a Parliamentary form of government;
has the Queen as Head of Statehas the Queen as Head of State ((notnot Prime Minister)Prime Minister)
has a Governor General who represents the Queen.has a Governor General who represents the Queen.
Her Majesty, the Queen, Elizabeth II His Excellency, the Right Honourable
David Johnston

18. Also, Canadians vote for political parties inAlso, Canadians vote for political parties in
elections, not for the Prime Minister (“PM”).elections, not for the Prime Minister (“PM”).

19. Support for Teaching/Learning MoreSupport for Teaching/Learning More
Two US Department of Education-designatedTwo US Department of Education-designated
National Resource Centers on Canada in the USNational Resource Centers on Canada in the US
offer K-12 education outreach support:offer K-12 education outreach support:
1) Pacific Northwest NRC (WWU and U Washington)1) Pacific Northwest NRC (WWU and U Washington)
2) Northeast NRC (U Maine and SUNY Plattsburgh)2) Northeast NRC (U Maine and SUNY Plattsburgh)
Note: Western Washington University and University of Washington jointly
offer the “STUDY CANADA” program annually and appreciates 2014 support
from the Université du Québec à Montréal as sponsor of the farewell dinner.

20. As do Consulates of Canada across the US….As do Consulates of Canada across the US….

21. Tom Brokaw explains why Canada isTom Brokaw explains why Canada is
(or should be)(or should be) important to Americansimportant to Americans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg

22. There isThere is soso much more you will learn this weekmuch more you will learn this week..
Feel free to add to this PowerPoint, as needed,Feel free to add to this PowerPoint, as needed,
for your own classroom use.for your own classroom use.
Please let us know your questions/concernsPlease let us know your questions/concerns
as your knowledge of Canada grows.as your knowledge of Canada grows.
Thank you for your interest in teaching Canada.Thank you for your interest in teaching Canada. Merci!Merci!