Essay On Quebec National Identity

As we will see, Quebec's national identity has emerged out of political struggles; cultural, historical, and institutional differences; and the French language. The First Nations people, too, have encountered a great deal of conflict and hardship in the formation of their identity. The following paper will identify similarities and differences between the formation of Quebec's national identity with that of First Nations peoples. Demographically until about 1830, the French Canadians were in the majority. However, around the 1840's, elites began to realize a gap had developed between standard French and the language of their compatriots, due, along others things, to the interference of English. French Canadians were often forced to learn English, as the French language was degraded and frowned upon(specifically using the term Joul). Anxieties about the assimilation affecting certain groups began to be heard, which led to a turning point for Quebec's national identity in 1960-1970. After identifying and assessing the forces that were detrimental to Francophones and assessing those that existed in order to construct a positive image of the collective, they no longer saw themselves as small introverted and dominated people. They demanded the right to …show more content…
Both nations were seen as minorities who were forced to learn english, follow rules and norms. However, the First Nations people and French Canadians were determined to break free from the control of the dominant society. Quebec successfully regained the right to their own culture and language. However, the First Nations people's self-determination claims have encountered much resistance, as they continue to battle for self government, which would allow them to freely define the rules, norms and institutions governing their lands, communities and their relationship with the dominant