Acculturation Versus Assimilation: Engaging with Cultural Diversity

How is cultural diversity perceived in a settler state like Canada? In this chapter I trace the evolution of Canadian policies of nation and identity building with regard to its diverse cultural make-up. The approaches of assimilation and acculturation are examined and defined as approaches to dealing with diversity. The role of education in inculcating the vision of what it means to be Canadian is discussed. As Canada has moved from being a British colony expected to reflect and practice British values of citizenship to an independent nation peopled by immigrants from all over the world, its understanding of what it means to be Canadian has changed. Despite a commitment to honour Canada’s multicultural heritage, Canadian policy has not always considered all groups as part of the multicultural mosaic that makes up Canada. Only recently have steps been taken to include the indigenous heritage as an essential part of the whole. In addition to discussing Canadian educational policy addressing issues of cultural diversity, I provide examples from other countries such as the US, France, UK, Switzerland, Germany and Latin America.