Related: WHAT IS THE CANADIAN STORY?
How would you tell the story of Canada? Would you use a timeline? How else?
Copyright © 2013 · Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation · Follow us: 
Copyright © 2013 · Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation · Follow us:
Can you include Indigenous Creation stories, those tell us of how Turtle Island (North America) were made. Respectively, their are many creation stories across Canada, as our Indigenous peoples are so diverse, but an Elder once told me that all Creation stories are true.
I’d love to hear from those people who didn’t and don’t want to be part of Canada and how the Nation responds to people who see themselves as seperate.
I would like to see First Nations languages cultures be much more included, I would like to see them given a place of prominence throughout all time periods. First Nations languages must be included as well, not as relics – public valorization of these modern troves of knowledge must be made.
I would like to see has much as possible of First Nations Peoples history. As well as the actual living history and demands to better up the social, political and economic conditions of all them.
The history of Canada began when people first came to North America about 12,000 years ago. The 11,000 years of history prior to European arrival must be included in any history of Canada.
I recommend weaving in a telling of the history of the First Nations as a significant component of our national history. From pre-contact to present times.
I think a timeline can be an effective teaching tool, but it also accompanies great risk of telling a single story. This story is the archetypal one of colonization and the birth of nation as positive, when in fact they are complicated and resistance to imperial powers are the stories which need more light. This country has a very nuanced history, and this timeline only represents only one (very narrow) interpretation
Just threw a few events up there, which is more of a sample than anything exhaustive, and intentionally trying to avoid duplication … but I will assume that there will be links and connections to the excellent exhibits already available in the museum of civilization, including the great material in the first nations hall and the Canada Hall.
I am adding my voice to those who are appalled or at least confused at the notion that Canada’s history begins at 1600. To ignore or minimize Aboriginal experiences would be a travesty. Do NOT whitewash (literally, in this case) Canada’s history any further!
I’m flummoxed that the timeline starts at 1600. I would assume that most history books start with the first people to land and settle new lands, which would mean the timeline going back to – what? – the mid-1450s or so? Wow.
I’d like to see more on BC and it’s entry into Confederation. There should also be some emphasis on the initial exploration of the Pacific Northwest by the Spanish. So many names here are of Spanish origin etc like Quadra, Texada, Gabriola, San Juan and Juan de Fuca. A lot of Canadians are not even aware of this.
It is absolutely shameful and disgraceful that the timeline for Canadian history starts at 1600. Whoever contributed to this decision should be ashamed. I hope that this is rectified as soon as possible. This is a perfect example of repeating mistakes of the past – having a history that is Eurocentric and ultimately racist. Please learn from the past and correct this terrible timeline.
History is not made by the so-called rich and famous, it is made by the little people. There needs to be a focus on those who built this country and not on those who benefitted materially and politically from the hard work and energy of the ‘little guy and girl’. Generals don’t win wars, soldiers do, but who gets the credit? Feature the achievement of Canadians not politicians and men of power.
When the National Museum of Canada was established in 1927 it had a truly national mandate – we are now expected to peer down a colonial microscope that only captures 10% of what is the history of this country – but I guess myopic politicans are about the 10% correct most of the time.
Begin at the beginning, aboriginal arrival onward and not just European settlement, please!
Political history should be included ‘in context” with world events and influences. Studying early ACTS, in world context, go far to explain our current laws. Example: The Proclamation of 1763 & The Quebec Act of 1764. Without considering Britain’s victory over France, The Proclamation would make no sense. Without considering the coming American Revolution …It would be difficult to explain why The Quebec Act reversed most of the French legal and religious limitations imposed the year before.
I would start the timeline with our earliest information about people living in Canada, Not the earliest Europeans. Parallel timelines describing different perspectives of historical events would be helpful.
Shocking lack of detail for a Canadian museum to pitch to the public. There is nothing before Eurpoean contact, and nothing about Upper and Lower Canada in the 1830s? Crowdsourcing isn’t wrong, but this isn’t done well for our national museum.
I would like to see a greater consideration of precontact/colonial history preferably executed through a partnership/leadership arrangement with Indigenous nations told through a decolonial lens.
Unfortunately, these events encompass standard Canadian events – there is little new here. The emphasis is on eastern Canada, and Aboriginal topics are virtually absent after the first numbered treaty and the so-called NW Rebellion. There is much more to the Canadian story. Try thinking about how it looks to an Aboriginal person living in the north, for example, or a German immigrant in western Canada, or a Japanese laborer in Vancouver.