Out With the Thatch and In With the Shingles: An Examination of Assimilation into Canadian Society, as Demonstrated by the Homes of the First Ukrainian Settlers

Abstract

The concept of ‘the Canadian identity’ is a topic which has received much attention in recent decades, stimulating discussions on the topic of what makes a Canadian a Canadian? Today, being Canadian might suggest a love of hockey and poutine. However, a century ago, being “Canadian” was an emphasis on adapting or conforming to British norms. This paper will focus on one important theme in debates around ‘Canadianization’, specifically its reflection over time in the domestic structure of the  early Ukrainian settlers. Canadian identity studies can especially benefit from this trace of identity formation, by its application to a broader, multi-ethnical context.