Module 11
Question: What is Canadian literature?
Question: What is Canadian literature?
Canadian literature reflects the diverse background of Canada's people and the geographical regions of the country. Previously, Canadian literature has been written in French or English - the nation's two official languages; however, there has been a surge in First Peoples authentic literature. Due to this and the changing of social/cultural aspects of the Canadian people, Canadian literature is starting to emerge with multicultural themes. This is a positive step as children need to see their own cultural groups represented in the books they read. Many Canadian books deal with themes of abandonment, survival and the wilderness. In regards to aboriginal literature, we are seeing a rise in telling cultural values, origin stories and impacts from residential schools. The significance of this is that if teachers do not consider cultural diversity in relation to text selection, an increasing number of students will not recognize themselves in the Western literary canon (Wiltse, p.23). However, educators must select authentic cultural stories from reputable publishers. As Singer (n.d.) indicates, children's books are written (and illustrated) not told orally, and their authors, with few exceptions, did not learn these stories as members of traditional communities and have never told these stories as part of those communities. Previously, when selecting aboriginal literature, I would ask my district's Aboriginal Resource Teacher for guidance. Now, I would read recommendations from the First Nations Education Steering Committee or from the website, StrongNations.com.
Canadian children's and young adult writers such as Sarah Ellis, Kenneth Oppel, Jean Little and Kit Pearson, Margaret Atwood, to name a few, aim in their fiction to capture the essence of what it is to be Canadian as they also explore the lives of children and teens (Canton, p.13). Similarly, Ted Harrison and Barbara Reid have illustrated children's books that can be suitable resources for teaching art in school. It's about showcasing the people and the natural landscapes. Though the world created by an author is fictional, many readers will visualize a reflective mirror - finding a similarity or connection with what is read. Canadian children can read about themes/issues from coast to coast. When reading Canadian content, children can imagine the northwest coast, Rocky Mountains, prairies, northern region, and east coast; they will learn more about Canada. Thus, this is the beginning blocks of establishing a Canadian identity rather than being submerged by American content.
Canadian children's and young adult writers such as Sarah Ellis, Kenneth Oppel, Jean Little and Kit Pearson, Margaret Atwood, to name a few, aim in their fiction to capture the essence of what it is to be Canadian as they also explore the lives of children and teens (Canton, p.13). Similarly, Ted Harrison and Barbara Reid have illustrated children's books that can be suitable resources for teaching art in school. It's about showcasing the people and the natural landscapes. Though the world created by an author is fictional, many readers will visualize a reflective mirror - finding a similarity or connection with what is read. Canadian children can read about themes/issues from coast to coast. When reading Canadian content, children can imagine the northwest coast, Rocky Mountains, prairies, northern region, and east coast; they will learn more about Canada. Thus, this is the beginning blocks of establishing a Canadian identity rather than being submerged by American content.
Note: book covers retrieved from Amazon.ca
References
Canton, J. (2001). What is canadian literature? In School Libraries in Canada. 21(1), 13.
Singer, E. (n.d.). Fakelore, multiculturalism, and the ethics of children's literature. Retrieved from
https://msu.edu/user/singere/fakelore.html
Wiltse, L. (2015). Mirrors and windows: teaching and research reflections on canadian aboriginal children's literature. In Language and Literacy. 17(2), 22-40.
Canton, J. (2001). What is canadian literature? In School Libraries in Canada. 21(1), 13.
Singer, E. (n.d.). Fakelore, multiculturalism, and the ethics of children's literature. Retrieved from
https://msu.edu/user/singere/fakelore.html
Wiltse, L. (2015). Mirrors and windows: teaching and research reflections on canadian aboriginal children's literature. In Language and Literacy. 17(2), 22-40.