Canada is a big country filled with history, culture and people. Anyone who lives in Canada is lucky to live there. Are you Canadian?

Canadian AboriginalsThe Natives first came to canada about 30,000 yearsago. They settled in different parts of Canada and weredivided into many tribes such as Inuit, Cree and Blackfoot. They survived on fishing and hunting.

The Inuit were the first people to arrive in Canada. They came from Asia to the western arctic then spread to the eastern arcticand Labrador. They lived in igloos and lived off seals,whalesand caribou. Today the Inuitdo not follow all the traditionalways of life.

Natives used art to tell stories.The Inuit carved from soapstone and animal bone.Natives used natural dyes from fruit and minerals to paint patterns on animal hide.They also did bead and quill work on clothes and moccasins.

The Vikings came to Canada from Greenland about 500 years before Christopher Columbus discoveredAmerica. They settled in L’Anse aux Meadows in northernNewfoundland.You can visit the ruinsof their homes today.

Canadian ExplorersSome of Canada’s greatest explorers were Jacques Cartier, Samuel De Champlaigne and Henry Hudson.The explorers traveled all over Canada learning about theland and people so that settlers could come to Canada.

The Canadian Flag was chosen in 1964.The House Of Commons asked the public of Canada to send in their ideas for an officialCanadian Flag.It was taken down to threeentries. They eventually decided on the one leafFlag that we have today. It became official onFeb.15 1965.

One of the best things about Canada is that there are so many people from different countries working together as one. Canada has an estimated population of 30 million. Lots of people come to Canada for a better life.

The Canadian Government meets and makes decisions in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.The leader of thegovernment is the Prime Minister. Thegovernment is elected every four or fiveyears by the people of Canada.

Sarah McLachlan - O Canada.mp3

Sarah McLachlan - O Canada.mp3

Contemporary Culture In Canada

Canada has great artists and performers.There are singerslike Avril Lavigne, and Alanis Morrisette. There are musicians like Natalie MacMaster, and Remy Shand. There are dancers like Karen Kain and actors like Carrie AnnMoss and Mike Myers. Halifax has lots of theaters whereyou can go to see live performances like Neptune, RebeccaCohn and The Metro Center.

Canada is well known for winter sports like hockey, Skiing and snowboarding. I enjoy snowboarding because it is really fun. Lacrosse, hockey and basketball are allsports invented by Canadians and played all over the world

Canadian inventors have made discoveries that have an effect on the whole world, such as the Canadarm. For many years Canada will continue to use new technology to learn and do new things.

I live in Nova Scotia, which is inAtlantic Canada. The capital of NovaScotia is Halifax, which is where ILive. Nova Scotia is a great place to goTo learn about the history of Canada, Because it has so many great museums.

Being Canadian means a lot more then living in Canada.To be Canadian means to not have to endure wars, gettingan education, having a home and food to eat. It means to live in a society with no racism. It means to be able todo and say what you want. Being Canadian means havingthe opportunity to be who you want to be and making yourown decisions.