From Yankee to Canuck
Many of you checked out and shared our first instalment of the Being Canadian series featuring Canadian celebrity; actor, writer and director Zaib Shaikh. This week we bring you an entirely different perspective on being Canadian; that of a former American.
Jennell Dukovac, wife and mother of four, shares her thoughts on what it means to be Canadian.
What does it mean to me to be a Canadian? By Jennell Dukovac
When I was asked this question, I laughed. Me being an immigrant from the far away land of the United States.
Growing up I didn’t know much about Canada. I knew it was north and it was connected to Alaska. The only images that I conjured up from childhood is Dudley Do-right, from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, (Saturday Mornings were so much fun), and a lumber jack with the red plaid shirt and matching hat, which I now know as a toque. I didn’t think that Canadians lived in igloos and rode dogsleds to go fur trading, like my Canadian husband likes to say Americans believe.
I left the United States for my husband, for no other reason. He was not happy living in Florida and I didn’t like it either. So when we received a job offer in Montreal we took it. Why not, right? We had 2 children at the time, (we now have 4), we loaded up the moving truck and made our way to Canada. We came and here we will stay.
That’s my story. Now from my perspective…what does it mean to be Canadian?
I find that Canadians have a great national pride, however they are very concerned about what Americans do. They like to judge Americans as in all Americans as a whole but then are offended when someone does it to Canada (It goes both ways, I know). I find myself defending America to Canadians and defending Canada to Americans.
I find unlike the United States, where assimilation is very important, Canada is very good about balancing between assimilation and ethnic identity. Especially here in the Montreal area where it is very diverse. I love walking around and seeing all the different kinds of people. I am from South Dakota, where there might have been 5 families that where not of the Caucasian persuasion. I am from a very small town.
To be Canadian means that everyone has the right to basic healthcare, that shows me a love of one’s fellow man. I find it amazing! Does the system need some revamping? Of course but what system is ever perfect?
Canadians talk funny…or maybe do you think it is me, eh? Yes, it is difficult to spell words now that I live here like favorite and check. I say eh all the time… My family makes fun of me now. It is probably payback for making fun of my husband for saying it when we lived in the US.
To be a Canadian is having the opportunity to be bi- or even tri-lingual. I think it is silly not to take advantage of that. My 5 year old fluently speaks two languages, it amazes me. She laughs and corrects me when I attempt to speak French.
To be honest Canada doesn’t feel that much different from living in the United States, for me at least. People are people whereever you go. I have always tried to be a good person so I seek out good people. We are happy here and have no plans for ever leaving. You’ll find me singing both National Anthems when I go to a hockey game.
What does being Canadian mean to you? If you would like to share your story of what being Canadian means to you, or that of what it means to someone you know, send us an email at editor@fariha.happilyhafsawebsite.com I’d love to hear from you. If your story is selected, it will be featured right here on our Being Canadian panel.
I thought it was a nice perspective from south of the border in Yankey Land. Welcome to the Great White North’
Interesting perspective, I live in the Toronto area and don’t run into folks who bash Americans….other than their health care system
As someone who has never lived in the US, I would think living in Canada would be a LOT different than the USA. Maybe not in a place like New York, but I could never see myself fitting in or liking Texas very much.
I will never understand the love affair that (some) Americans have with guns.
Excellent point and while it is a rampant problem with our neighbours to the south, I do not believe all Americans believe in the right to own a gun.
I agree with Katie: I will never understand defending the right to own a gun. It makes no sense to me. To me Canada is health care and freedom of speech and no guns and safe sprawling countrysides and occasionally getting caught saying eh. It’s also Tim Horton’s and ice skating and hockey and being able to take advantage of education and languages is key too. I agree it is a privilege being able to have my child learn in 2 or 3 languages. They are lucky kids.
Paula, our children are exceptionally privileged to live here. There is no better place to live in my opinion.
Great post, I love seeing and reading about other Americans who came here to Canada to live, I’m one of them! I love everything about this country and also love the diversity you get here along with getting to experience their cultures as well. All of my American family/friends always ask me if I’m moving back, I can’t see that in my future. Although there are things here that remind me of where I grew up in California, there’s no other place I’d like to raise my kiddos but here!
My husband is a recent immigrant so it was interesting to hear this perspective. Yes, I think that many Canadians judge Americans and vice versa. It seems like we are always in a competition to be different than America!