Canadian history made boring...

I had reason to go looking for a Canadian web site similar to Legends Of America, an excellent history resource with some real ‘meat’ to it—meaning, it is history made interesting. It also features some Canadian characters who have played a significant role in American history, i.e. Pearl Hart, Bat Masterson, etc., for which there is hardly a mention in Canadian-based histories.

A veritable wasteland

What I found was a depressing collection of thumbnail sketches, afterthoughts  to American frontier history, a roll call of stodgy Canadian/British statesmen (John A. Macdonald, etc.), and lesson plans so dry you could strike a match on them.

For example, here is one lesson directed toward grade 3 students:

The earliest settlers who made their homes in the wilderness were known as pioneers.

Many pioneers of Upper Canada came from France, England, Scotland, Italy, Germany and other countries in Europe.  Some settlers went to other parts of North America and later moved into Upper Canada. 

They came to Upper Canada for many reasons.  Some came so they could freely practice their religion.  Some did not like the way their home countries were being run.  Some just hoped they could have a better life in a new country.

Interesting Facts about the Early Settlers

	in 1800, only 10% of the population lived in towns or cities - most lived on farms
	in 1800, the population of Upper Canada was 35 000
	before 1800, most immigrants came from America
	after 1815, large numbers of  immigrants started to come from the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland)
	between 1825 and the 1830's more people came from the British Isles than from America

(see the full lesson plan at: Pioneer Life in Upper Canada)

Is it any wonder kids find history “boring” and “irrelevant?”—That is if they study any Canadian history at all.

There is better (more interesting) history available

Admittedly, it wouldn’t be hard to find a more interesting perspective, but even here there is very little effort to promote it. With very few exceptions the major Canadian media are more interested in politics and scandal—oh, and Kate’s pregnancy—than promoting  Canadian heritage. Mind you, if they got their history from the above lesson, it is perhaps understandable.

There are interesting examples of Canadian history

On my own blog, Gerry B’s Book Reviews, I have reviewed several excellent histories that are in-depth as well as interesting. Some of these include:

Sam Steele: The Wild Adventures of Canada’s Most Famous Mountie, by Holly Quan

Real Justice: Guilty of Being Weird: The story of Guy Paul Morin, by Cynthia J. Faryon

The Dieppe Raid: The Story of the Disastrous 1942 Expedition (Twentieth-Century Battles), by  Robin Neillands

To Wawa With Love, by Tom Douglas
Wild Canadian West, by E.C. (Ted) Meyers
Tecumseh: Diplomat and Warrior in the War of 1812, by Irene Gordon
Klondike Cattle Drive – Normal Lee
Blazing the Old Cattle Trail, by Grant MacEwan

In the near future, I will be launching a web site dedicated to finding interesting examples of Canadian history. Until then, I leave you with this vignette:

John A. Macdonald, first prime minister of Canada, trained all the Parliamentary Pages to serve him gin in the House of Commons, because it looked more like water than whiskey.