Get creative
In Canada, Indigenous People refers to the three Aboriginal groups which are First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. There are over 630 First Nations communities in Canada, with more than half of them located in British Columbia and Ontario. Throughout these communities, more than 50 distinct languages are spoken. Historically, each community was self-governed and had its own culture and customs. Celebrate these unique cultures by coloring some Indigenous art, reading this interview on connecting cultures, and exploring work from Aboriginal artists at the National Gallery of Canada.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Canada include:
- One Week (2008)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
- The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
- The Shipping News (2001)
- Anne of Green Gables (1985)
Study some history
Canada became a country on July 1st, 1867, but various Indigenous people inhabited Canada for thousands of years before European colonization. Listen to some interesting Canadian history with the Cool Canadian History podcast, where you will hear about nuns on the frontier, a Canadian Pirate Queen, the Canadian experience during D-Day, and more.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- The Call of the Wild by Jack London
- Canada by Mike Myers
- Secret Path by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire
- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
- Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock
- The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence
Fill up your plate
While Canadian food is a true melting pot of international flavors, there are some classic Canadian gems like butter tarts, Saskatoon Berry pie, Beaver Tails, and poutine!
For a truly Canadian meal, why not create your own sugar shack experience? Start your meal off with a bowl of yellow pea soup, followed by dishes like baked ham, scrambled eggs, sausages, tourtiere (Quebec’s famous meat pie), baked beans, cretons (a pork-based pâté), and deep-fried pork rinds known as oreilles de crises (which translates literally to “Christ’s ears”). At a traditional sugar shack, these dishes are either cooked with maple or dowsed in the stuff–it’s an absolute must to drizzle syrup on everything, even your bread and butter!
Learn the language
Canada has two official languages: English and French. Learn some helpful Canadian phrases and speak like a local by using these Canadianisms.
Did you know?
Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world at 243,977 kilometers (or 151,600 miles)!