Canada Cultural Identity

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Canadian history has had a rich tradition of witnessing emigrates arriving to Canada to explore a new way of life and to maintain their cultural identity. Currently the mass emigration of Syrian Muslims continues this legacy that was started in the late 18th century. One of the great mass migrations that Canada witnessed was during the late 18th century, when Catholic Scottish Highlanders emigrated to Prince Edward Island. These Scottish Highlanders left their ancestral highland homes out of desperation, fear of cultural elimination by the English and for new opportunities to maintain their cultural identity. But why did the Scots believe emigrating could solve the elimination of their heritage? Were there any trails, difficulties or

Charles’ army was numbered at 4,000 and the Royal English army, led by Prince William, Duke Cumberland, was estimated at 9,000 men. The highlanders attempted to use the Highland Charge. This tactic was used to imitated and rush the enemy by firing one shot from their muskets and proceed that by a claymore (sword) charged directly into the enemy. In the early stages of the rebellion, this tactic was used to great effect. However Duke Cumberland had studied this tactic and prepared his men for the ensuing charge. Cumberland ordered his men to thrust their bayonets to their left side, into the vulnerable and unprotected side of the Scottish HIghlanders. The Jacobite army, tired and hungry were exhausted from the failed charged and as the casualties amounted, the lines broke and the army began to

Poetry from the migration period illustrated the geographical description, story of emigration and cultural transition to maritimes islanders. In the poem, The MacDonald Heritage the tale of the MacDonald Clan was used to describe the political and economical situation in SCotland, the Atlantic passage and PEI. The poem praised the island for it’s ‘beauty without guile’. The poem is unique because it indicates the position the Scots had towards their new home. The peom emcompasses the full transition the Highland Scots had and illustrated their new identity as Scottish islanders, ready to protect their new home;

“In seventy-three the Revolution began and John was called to defend his new land. This led to halifax, far from his home. And ‘twas there Captain John he became...His love for his homeland was demonstrated when, at his call, his clansmen celebrated the Birth of St.Andrew, to all so dear. That in their hearts they would always revere”

In conclusion the emigration of Highland Scots protected their unique culture, traditions and way of life. But in emigrating to Prince Edward Island, the Highland Scots contributed to the establishment of an island culture, identity and regional separation that distinguishes the inhabitants of the island when compared to the other Maritime