We Are Canada

by Rikia Saddy

We Are Canada is a short story of Canada that begins at the end of the last ice age and carries through to the present day. It is an eighty-page telling of our history that challenges three Canadian myths: that the French were a conquered people, that our First Nations were innocent bystanders in the formation of our country, and that Canada only had two founding peoples. According to Rikia Saddy, we've been multicultural from the start. An informative, easy read, We Are Canada will change the way you see your country. We can't be divided, and we can't be conquered. We are Canada.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, History

80 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an essay about Canada. It shows the ugly side as well as the good side. I am always surprised when people are surprised when bs things happen here. Our past isn't golden and we are still coming to terms with a lot of the wrong we have done. Overall, people are not as civilized as we would like to believe we are. We have been very accommodating but not very good at fixing things.

[Emily Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this little book was a simple yet powerful summary of some key points of Canadian history. It is in no way a book to use to learn the history of Canada, as it lacks some major events in this country's past, but it was a nice reminder of who we are as Canadians and what we stand for as a country. Some points seemed vague or random if you don't have knowledge of Canadian history, such as when Saddy notes, "The French and the English had more in common than you'd ever know from the stories that were later told to divide and conquer." I think that using an example or two would enhance this part of the novel.

From a historical point of view, the novel briefly describes some pivotal points in Canada's history. When I say briefly, I mean it. For example, Saddy summarizes residential schools in one simple sentence: "We created residential schools to eliminate aboriginal culture." These examples aren't meant to teach the reader about these events, but rather to remind us of what people have endured in order for Canada to become what it is today; "If we, the people of the world, are going to survive, we're going to have to work together. And who knows how to do that? Canada."

To conclude, I did enjoy this book as it highlighted both the good and bad parts of Canadian history, and demonstrated how our past shapes us into the diverse, accepting country that we are today.

[Sionainn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7*

[Ishta Mercurio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of the Forest of Reading, which is wonderful in a way, because I'm glad I read it, but also a shame in a way, because I would never have heard of it otherwise.

We Are Canada is to the Canadian identity what Myth-Busters is to urban legend. It takes all of the various bits of propagandizing (every country has its own brand - even Canada) and peels them apart, examining what it really is that unifies Canadian people. At one point, the book states, "We grumble, then we get along." I couldn't have said it better myself.

As an outsider who chooses to live here, I can relate to the need to hear and share this alternative (and more honest) version of Canada's history. This book was both enlightening, and a much needed breath of fresh air. As a mother, though, I can see that my son doesn't quite "get it", so I rate this well-thought-out, well-written, well-presented book at a solid four stars.

[Julian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a history of Canada, but a collection of isolated snippets and thoughts on certain historical events. There is no background, consistent timeline or connection among these ideas. As an example, the author talks about how the French and British had more in common than what they thought, but never says how or why. Then she might jump and offer a line on residential schools, but the reader will not be offered any background on them. At the end, the author even dedicates some pages to her own personal background, which is completely irrelevant to the history of Canada.

If you're familiar with Canadian history, you can spend 10 minutes at your library on this, but do not spend a dime on this book or approach it thinking you might learn anything new.

This book is an average middle school paper. Nothing more.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Canada told from a new perspective of negotiation, compromise, trade and accommodation. This is the story of Canada that the textbooks do not always include.

I picked this book up because it is a Red Maple non-fiction nominee.

I finished it because it is very short, but the brevity is deceptive as the book requires much thought. I enjoyed the new perspective that the book provided.

I would recommend this to Aiyana. I think she would like the new perspective this book throws on our Canadian history. It makes it much more relevant than much of what we read in the texts we use.

[Zoë Birss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short book, with one phrase per page, containing lovely minimalist illustrations, attractively hard bound as a tourist gift or side table sort of book. Easily read in one sitting, it presents a feel-good version of Canada's experience of multiculturalism that is sure to warm the heart of the mainstream, mildly culturally progressive Canadian. Upon any closer inspection, it is a little too light on the horrible graphic details of attempted genocide and other racial-hatred-inspired horrors in our history, to a degree that may be even found offensive by anyone who isn't a nice, polite, white, educated Canadian type. But it's nice.

[Hong · Rating 2 out of 5]

this isn't really a history, it's a long prose poem/manifesto on multiculturalism with strong and at times lovely ideas about the True North. however, it's lacking a focus and, it seems to me, a willingness to take itself and it's reader seriously. although deceptively attractive with a great deal of potential, I would NOT recommend this book...though if you'd like to take fifteen minutes to consider it yourself, you might not regret it...just prepare to find yourself unaffected and unchanged by a "history" lacking in focus, depth, and nuance.

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very, very skimpy history. I picked it up hoping to get a refresher on my Canadian history, but it really offered little. It read like a Molson Canadian "I am Canadian" commercial, without the inspiration. I suppose my biggest complaint was it cost fifteen dollars. My advice: take fifteen to twenty minutes while you're at the bookstore to read it and save the money.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very short... sometimes shorter is better but in this case I think the author could have made this book longer because to be honest this book left me with modre questions about Canada than I started with. Being a non fiction book I think that this book could have answerd a few common questions.

[Alyssa Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely is a very very short history of Canada. It fit almost every detail, but was really boring in my opinion. It stated facts, but also made it into a story. It was about history, my least favourite subject. It was very boring for me...

[Susan Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is indeed a very, very short history of Canada. It is also refreshingly honest, frank and in the end positive. Well done Rikia.

[Emily King · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book that much. It was really boring in my opinion and I wouldn't recommend it. It gave history of canada but also put it into a story which I didn't really like.

[Janice]

Quick history of Canada with lovely line drawings. Half hour read. Worth it.