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An update from Evaneos
Canada

When the French discovered the stunning country of Canada

in the beginning, there were tribes of Indians and Inuit...

The discovery of Canada by the French

The first inhabitants of Canada were tribes of American Indians and Inuit people. Jean Cabot, followed by Jacques Cartier, discovered Canada from the fifteenth century onwards. In 1608, Champlain founded the city of Quebec (which you can visit during your trip to Canada). Richelieu then created the Company of One Hundred Associates, whose task was to colonise the country. In 1663, Louis XIV incorporated Canada into the royal domain and granted it a new colonial administration. French rule of the country would soon give way to English colonialism.

From English rule to independence

The English, who at that time had established colonies on the Atlantic coast, felt threatened and attacked the French during the Seven Years' War, from 1756 to 1763. Following the war, the French gave up the entirety of Canada to Great Britain. Subsequently, the arrival of American loyalists after the independence of the United States from Britain was the origin of the division of the province of Quebec into French-speaking Lower Canada and English-speaking Upper Canada. These regions would become modern-day Quebec and Ontario. In 1837, rebellion broke out, but the two provinces were forced into unification in 1841. Canada experienced significant agricultural and industrial growth. The country therefore became increasingly autonomous in its dealings with the British, obtaining its independence with the Statute of Westminster in 1931.

Canadian history

Canada, a dynamic, prosperous and attractive country

Canada signed a free trade agreement with the United States in 1988 and today forms part of NAFTA. Successive governments have developed a welfare state in a constantly expanding, free market economy. The country is today famous for its dynamic economy and its multiculturalism, and continues to attract increasing numbers of tourists and workers.

The history of Canada - from the point of view of the Indians

The American Indians are not often talked about nowadays in the context of Canada, but they suffered greatly as a result of policies that aimed to wipe out their culture. In fact, multiple policies to encourage cultural assimilation were put in place under the colonial administration. Subsequently, the Canadian government, after achieving independence, would carry out a policy of forced integration Indian children were sent to schools off the reservations, staying in institutions where they would be punished for speaking their own languages. Only European values were taught and, as the country was racist (with the teachers considering themselves to be of the 'superior' race), children were frequently physically, sexually and emotionally abused. Only in the 1980s did the ideal of multiculturalism win out over the policy of forced assimilation. Don't miss the Vancouver Anthropology Museum, where you can discover this extremely rich culture.

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