Cultural Areas
The 6 different cultural areas of Canada are:
- Arctic
- Subarctic- Western and Eastern
- Northwest Coast
- Plateau
- Great Plains/Prairies
- Woodlands
The geography of each region greatly influenced the way way people in that area lived. It effected things such as clothing, food sources and housing. The people who lived within similar regions shared the ways they would take care of each of these elements, and these methods varied from region to region.
Language
Before European explorers came to Canada, there were approximately 50 major languages with 12 distinct language families and a countless amount of dialects. These languages play a very key role in culture, in that:- complex thoughts cannot exist without language
- verbal communications help to create and maintain bonds between living things
- without language it would be very difficult to portray opinions/ideas
"Language is the expression of our culture and our land. We cannot have one without the others. We cannot describe our culture and our land if we do not have language."
Even though language plays such a key role in our culture, sadly 94% of Canadian indigenous languages are at risk of becoming extinct.
"If you want to learn your Language, you have to use it!"
Manitoba Specific
The different cultural areas that cover Manitoba are:
- Subarctic- East and West
- Great Plains/Prairies
- Woodlands
The different language groups that are within Manitoba are:
- Dene
- Cree
- Dakota
- Oji-Cree
- Ojibwe/Ojibway
References
First quote:
Importance of Indigenous Languages.(2006). Uploaded by,Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee. Available online at: http://ourlanguages.org.au/importance-of-indigenous-languages-quotes/
Second Quote:
Plains Cree Elders Quotes.(unknown). Uploaded by, Freda Ahenakew, Muskeg Lake First Nations. Available online at:http://www.sicc.sk.ca/plains-cree-elders-quotes.html
