Program Length: 1/2 hour
Produced: 1997

Introduction

This video, the second of three parts, presents snapshots of Canadian culture, constructing its impressions of Canadian heritage from trivia, stories, historical facts, cultural theories, personalities and music. It suggests that Canada has a unique culture to celebrate and to be proud of. Items such as Moose-ellaneous and Great Canadian Beaver Tales combine to build an interesting and significant presentation of Canadian culture.

This study guide suggests ways that students can process the information to better understand Canadian culture and the ideas presented. The guide's sections occur in the same chronological order as the items in the video. Some of the suggestions involve class discussion, some involve research, some involve creative activities.

Classes need not view the whole tape at one sitting, nor is it necessary to use all of the guide; in fact, it is recommended that only those of the guide's suggestions be followed that best suit the students and the curriculum. Select a section of the video that you particularly want to focus upon, cueing up that moment and omitting the rest until some other time.
Use the tape with a remote control, pausing and discussing particular statements and images as necessary. Replay sections that need repeated screenings. Many of the hosts' statements are included in the guide for teachers to become familiar with them and be prepared for them when they appear in the program.
The tape and guide might be used for an entire unit of study of Canadian culture, or it may be a one-class break from other studies. There are two other Heritage Day programs , numbers one and three, each with other useful aspects of Canadian culture to present and discuss.
This episode of Heritage Day focusses upon less mainstream aspects of Canadian culture: First Nations culture, the culture of social protest and Francophone culture. 

1. Opening Montage
The opening montage presents many Canadian artists, among them Bryan Adams, Geddy Lee, Neil Young, Alanis Morisette, Kim Mitchell, Stompin Tom Conners and Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO).
What impression of Canadian musical culture do these images give you?
Are there any messages of First Nations culture or protest in these images?
Do you associate First Nations culture or protest with being Canadian?

2. Robbie Robertson
What kind of music is associated with The Band?
What made The Band a Canadian band?
What influence has The Band had on music?
Robertson was the first to give the First Nations music award at the Juno ceremonies. How does establishing a First Nations music award influence Canadian culture?
Does creating a special category for First Nations musicians suggest that they cannot compete with other Canadian musicians, or is this category just like other Juno categories?
This category is based on race and culture rather than musical genre. Could a non-First Nations musician compete in this category?
Could a First Nations musician compete in the other Juno categories? Is this fair?
Is creating a separate category for a minority group a typically Canadian act?

3. Ghost Dance Robbie Robertson
Look at the images in this clip from the Ghost Dance video and listen to the words. What First Nations elements are in the video? [There are strong elements of spiritualism]
What impression of First Nations people do you get from the video?
How does this video represent an important part of Canadian culture?

4. 54-40 and Haida Culture
British Columbia's name originated from a compromise between two of its imperial owners: England and Spain. Even though the Haida culture was strong, there is no acknowledgment of it in the province's name. Which provinces names derive from their Native Canadian inhabitants? What do the names mean in their original languages?
The name Ontario is an Iroquoian word meaning 'beautiful water,' Saskatchewan is a Cree word meaning 'swift-flowing river,' and Manitoba is Cree for 'the place where the spirit speaks.' In Inuit, Nunavut means 'our land.'

5. Haida Longhouse
Take point form notes on the explanation of the Haida longhouse. Write a descriptive paragraph that explains the social organization and functions of the areas within the longhouse.

6. Potlatch
What is a potlatch?
What is its purpose in the Haida community?
Why was the potlatch outlawed by the British?
Research question: Why did it take so long after Confederation (1867 - 1951) for Canada to legalize potlatches?

7. Birds and Haida Culture
What is the effect of seeing two eagles fly overhead as the Haida culture is being explained?
Why is it important for the Haida museum to be run by Haida Canadians? [Haida are now able to control their cultural representation rather than having it controlled by an outside culture.] We learn about the Haida from two members of 54-40 rather than from a Haida Canadian. Is this a continuation of the control of culture that the Haida were trying to retrieve?

8. Greenpeace
Greenpeace started in Vancouver. What was its original name? [Don't make a wave committee]
How has Greenpeace used the Quaker concept of bearing witness in its strategies?
How has Greenpeace included the media in its campaign of bearing witness? What are Greenpeace's three principles?
     1. Non-violence
     2. No corporate or government funding
     3. No endorsement of any political party
How is Greenpeace both strengthened and weakened as a result of its three principles?
How do the images of the Greenpeace video influence the meaning of the line, 'it's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine?' During the 'Land' video we see documentary shots of citizens practising civil disobedience. What is civil disobedience? How did the protesters practice civil disobedience at Clayoquat Sound?
What was the government's reaction to the protesters?
Were the protesters successful?
What acts of civil disobedience can you identify in past or present Canadian history?
What were the causes? How successful were the protests?
Is civil disobedience part of the Canadian culture?

9. Neil Young
What is an 'iconoclast?'
How is Neil Young an iconoclast?
What does it mean to have a social conscience?
How does Neil Young's music reveal a social conscience?
We see images of homeless people and students in Beijing's Tienanmen Square in the 'Rockin' In The Free World' video. How do these images connect to the chorus 'keep on rockin the free world?' In the lyrics of 'Rockin' In The Free World,' look for evidence of iconoclasm and social conscience.
Is Neil Young a Canadian to be proud of? Why?
Is Neil Young's music part of a larger Canadian tradition?
Where else have you seen Canadians protesting human rights violations? [Land mine treaty]
Where else do we see Canadians helping those in need? [Bosnia]
Find the lyrics on the CD notes or on the internet.

10. Moist
Why has Moist moved to Montreal?
How do the musicians describe the culture of Montreal?
'This is where Canadian history will be decided in the next three or four years.' - What does this statement mean to you?
Why would someone want to live where history will take place?
How do you think that history will influence Moist's music?
Why do you think there are so many Montreal musicians that other Canadians have not heard?
Are you aware of many Montreal or Quebec musicians?
Do you watch MusiquePlus broadcasts? Why?
Do you think you are missing out on important Canadian culture?
Do you think there should be more Quebec music offered to Canadians? Why?
Who is Leonard Cohen?
What is his connection to Montreal?
Why do you think Moist aspires to be Leonard Cohen?
How is Leonard Cohen an important part of Canadian heritage?

11. Resurrection - Moist
How do you interpret the many walls that separate people in this video? How do the walls and the activities of the actors relate to Resurrection's lyrics?
Find the lyrics on the CD notes or on the internet.

12. Grimskunk
What is the origin of 'je me souviens?'? Why do YOU think Rene Levesque replaced 'la belle province' with 'je me souviens?'
What is the significance of no interviewee knowing the origin?
Is it important to know the origin for the phrase to have meaning?
What do you think Grimskunk's opinion is about 'je me souviens?' Why?

13. The Weird Little Guys
The Weird Little Guys describe a brawl which occurred over favourite brands of snowmobiles. They suggest that Canadians are weird to care so much about snowmobile brands.
Is there any product that you feel loyal to?
Think about the clothes you wear, the musicians you listen to, the sports teams you support. Could you get into a fight over any of these?
How important is Canadian culture to you?
Watch the NFB cartoon of Roche Carrier's The Sweater. What does that story help us realize about Canadian culture?

14. Tangerine - Moist
In this video, we see a man build the image of a man from a collage of body parts. The collage man becomes a real man. Then his creator pulls his apartment apart. What sense can you make of these images when you compare them to the lyrics of the song?
Find the lyrics on the CD notes or on the internet.

Written by: Neil Andersen
Neil Andersen is an award-winning Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Between the Lines CDs, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.