New Islanders and the Retention of Unique Culture -- Notes

New Islanders and the Retention of Unique Culture

—  In 1901, PEI was the most ethnically homogenous Canadian province

—  Ethnic- pertaining to or characteristic of a people sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

—  Homogenous- composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind

Three Small non-European Ethnic Groups

—  141 Black settlers in 1901 (fell to 81 in 1911)

—  Lebanese settlers began to arrive in the 1880s

—  The first Chinese settlers arrived in July, 1891

Lebanese Settlers

—  The Syrian/Lebanese immigrants found their way to Prince Edward Island in the 1880s.

—  This was a result of border changes in Lebanon due to numerous military occupations (leading to persecution and overcrowding).

—  The family is the central force for Lebanese people and extended families and entire villages came to Canada between the 1880s and World War One.

Joseph Ghiz

—  Joseph Ghiz was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to Atallah Joseph Ghiz, a Lebanese corner store owner, and Marguerite F. (McKarris)

—  He studied law and went on to become PEI’s Premier (the first Canadian Premier to be of non-European descent)

Robert Ghiz

—  Son of Joseph

—  Grew up in a political environment

—  Earned a Bachelor of Political Studies from Bishop’s University.

—   Robert, was sworn in as the 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island on June 12, 2007

Chinese Settlers

—  The Chinese who came to Canada in the early days were discriminated against in a manner that no other ethnic group experienced.

—  From 1858 to 1885 they were allowed free entry into the country because they provided cheap, disposable labour for the building of the national railway. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87MgkGAqeU)

—  From 1885 to 1923 the Federal government imposed a heavy head tax (see p. 32) on the Chinese that greatly reduced the numbers. The first Chinese arrived in 1891 and by 20 years later the Chinese population grew to six young, single men.

—  Due to the head tax, most could not afford to bring their families

—  Chinese settlers all tended to work in the laundry business (encountering much prejudice)

Recent Immigration

—  In recent years, immigrants from various ethnic backgrounds have found their way to PEI, bringing diverse languages, customs and skills

—  The aging Island population is being offset by the new immigrants (many of whom are young families)