Canada's Patriotism: The Inuit Culture

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Pages: 5

In 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke at Resolute Bay, addressing the Northwest Passage conflict in relations to the Arctic, and Arctic sovereignty. He explains Canada’s patriotism and sovereignty with the Arctic. Even though patriotism is a big component of nationalism, Canada has not been concerned about the Arctic sector of our country until mass amounts of oil was found under the surface, something that could benefit them. Canada’s nationalism is strong within its borders, however, until the finding of oil underneath the Arctic, Canada and the government has started to care about the land. Also the Canadian government, throughout history, has ignored the importance of land to indigenous people. The Inuit culture is strongly intertwined …show more content…
The relation between source one and source two show how patriotism is intertwined within a country's nationalism. Pride and love for one’s country can help protect those living in the country from external forces, impeding on the way of life of those living on the land. The concerns Prime Minister Harper explains for the Arctic would forever change the way of life of people living in Canada and standing up for the sovereignty over the land that other countries would impede upon. The citizens of East Timor fought for their own sovereignty and partition from colonizers that had imposed on their land and culture. By regaining sovereignty over their land the patriotism that the Timorese displayed strengthened their nationalism as they reclaimed their land and became a sovereign state. The relationship between source one and source two is how patriotism is different from ultranationalism. In source one, Harper explains how the Arctic is part of Canadian history and culture. In order to promote patriotism and nationalism in Canada, the sovereignty of the Canadian Arctic should be protected and preserved from external forces, whereas Hitler used ultranationalism to create a racist and fear based false patriotism within Germany’s borders. He believed that his form of nationalism would protect Germany from internal forces, such as the Jewish population in Europe, from harming the culture of the Aryan race. Harper based his patriotism and nationalism off of pride and well-being for those living within Canada’s borders, whereas Hitler, used ultranationalism to stay in power by having his country fear him and eradicating those who disagreed with his beliefs, only protecting