1. What is a Nation
SS 20-2

2. What do you think when you see these symbols?

3. What does this lead us to?
What do those symbols share?
Some are symbols of a country, but all of them represent a group of people.

4. Nations ...
What does it mean when someone says nation? What do you think a nation is?
I would like you to come up with a definition. Talk to your friends, people around you, but you must come up with a definition, which we will be sharing in the classroom in 5 minutes.

5. Definition
A nation is a form of self-defined cultural and social community.
The origins of “nations” come from Europe. Europeans were the first to divide groups of people based on cultural and social distinctions.

6. Nation
People who feel a sense of belonging together (they may share the same history, geography, language, customs and sometimes religion)
People who, as a group, want to control own destiny

7. Nation
Based on this information, choose two of the following “nations” and decide whether it is a nation or not.

8. Your nations Wm. E. Hay football team The Metis in Canada Blackfoot
Tibetans in China

9. Let’s put two definitions together
Nation - a group of people who share the same history, geography, language, customs and sometimes religion.
State - A state is a self-governing political entity. The term state can be used interchangeably with county.

10. What is an independent state? (I)
Has space or territory which has internationally recognized boundaries (boundary disputes are okay)
Has people who live there on an ongoing basis
Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign trade and domestic trade and issues money.

11. What is an independent state? (II)
Has a transportation system for moving goods or services.
Has a government which provided public services and police power.
Has sovereignty. No other state should have power over the country’s territory.
Has external recognition. A country has been “voted into the club” by other countries.

12. Discussion Time
Here are a list of questions that we are going to look at as a class. You are expected to give an answer. You will have about one minute to talk to the people beside you to come up with an answer. You never know, I might just pick you.

13. Question 1
Do all Canadians share a common identity? If so what is it?

14. Question 2
Given your understanding of the definition of a nation, should “Canadian” be considered a nationality?

15. Question 3
Canada could be considered to be founded by three separate nations. Who are they?

16. Question 4
Many Quebecois consider themselves a separate nation from Canada. Do you agree with this interpretation? What about First Nation people?

17. Question 5
In a multi-national state such as Canada, what are some of the biggest hurdles that our government must overcome to accommodate all of its citizens?