What does integration mean and why is it important?

To integrate is to put two or more things together to make something new. It also means the things that are put together often keep many of their individual characteristics or features. When we talk about integrating cultures we usually refer to several cultures coming together to form a new, multicultural society. Each culture keeps its character and many of its features and values. 

The important thing about integration is that the individual cultures, and members of cultural communities, are welcomed and accepted for what they are. There is respect for the practices, beliefs and values of that culture.  

Valuing integration tends to be the Canadian view. Most people in Canada welcome new cultures that make up our shared Canadian identity. They see this mosaic as vibrant, interesting and exciting. The alternative is that new cultures are blended or assimilated into the main culture and often are expected to take on the characteristics of the dominant culture. This is sometimes referred to as the melting pot where everything is melted down and blended to create something that tends to look the same. 

As a country, Canada started out as a combination of two cultures, the English and the French. In the beginning they competed for dominance. Eventually, they agreed to share this new country and through the Canadian Constitution the English and French were granted the right to maintain their separate cultures and guaranteed their language and religious rights. That is why Canada is a bilingual country with parallel school systems.

Indigenous peoples existed in Canada for many years before the French and English arrived. These were the various First Nations in the south and the Inuit in the north. Unfortunately, the history of Canada is clouded by attempts to assimilate these cultures into the dominant cultures. In recent years, apologies have been offered to Indigenous peoples by the Government of Canada for the many injustices that were committed and not previously acknowledged. The rights of Canada's Indigenous peoples are now more fully recognized and protected. For more information, please visit the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website.  

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island are the First Nation to the east of Durham Region. Each July, a Pow Wow is held on Scugog Island and is open to everyone to come together and celebrate First Nations culture. For more information about the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, please visit their website.

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