Ethnicity and Race Overview

A social concept invented in the 18th century to categorize populations brought together in colonial America, such as English settlers, indigenous peoples, and enslaved people from Africa. Physical variations in humans have no inherent social meaning.

A term used to specify a group of people who share a common cultural heritage. Examples include Chinese, Italian, Haitian, and Ukrainian.

A government-run system of schools in Canada that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream Canadian society. This system resulted in significant cultural disruption and abuse.

The practice of removing Indigenous children from their families and placing them with other families, sometimes based on misinterpretations of cultural practices.

A theoretical model used to understand the factors that influence individual and family development. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of different social systems.

The social context that provides the broader framework for individual and family life. It includes cultural norms, social policies, and historical events.

Simplified perceptions or generalizations about an entire group of people, often based on inaccurate or incomplete information.

The unfair treatment of people based on their social characteristics rather than merit.

Occurs when an individual is denied a right or freedom because of an ascribed characteristic, such as race or ethnicity. For example, a landlord refusing to rent to a family because they are a visible minority.

Occurs when social policies or practices produce an uneven effect on people with certain characteristics, even if the policy itself does not discriminate. For example, a private school charging tuition that most immigrant families cannot afford, indirectly excluding them.

The process of adapting to a new culture when living in a different society.

An acculturation strategy that involves accepting both the heritage culture and the new culture, leading to a blend of cultural identities.

An acculturation strategy that involves rejecting the heritage culture and fully embracing the dominant culture, often used to describe the United States' approach to immigrants.

An acculturation strategy that involves rejecting the dominant culture and maintaining the heritage culture, often seen in ethnic enclaves or communities with strong cultural ties.

An acculturation strategy that involves minimal engagement with both the heritage culture and the dominant culture, leading to marginalization and potential loss of cultural identity.

The practice of trying to hide one's minority group membership to avoid discrimination.

An acculturation policy that embraces and includes all ethnic and cultural groups within a society. Canada adopted this policy in 1971.

An acculturation policy that encourages individuals to assimilate into the dominant culture.

An acculturation policy that involves separating the minority group from the dominant group, as seen in the reserve system in Canada.

An acculturation policy that aims to exclude minority groups from society's social privileges.

Refers to people who are considered to be descendants of the original inhabitants of the land now known as Canada. This term is often used synonymously with "Aboriginal."

A person who is First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), or Métis.

A person who is not considered white in color.

Any group that holds less power than the dominant group.

The group that has the greatest power, but not necessarily the greatest numbers.

A measure of how much a person or group can use their cultural resources to achieve their goals. It's valuable in supporting academic and economic success.

Trying to hide one's minority group membership to avoid discrimination.

Strong belief in heritage and belonging to a specific culture.

A group of people who come from the same geographic region but are not necessarily related,

The ability to communicate effectively in a language, particularly in the context of academic or professional settings.

The ability to understand and navigate the rules and norms of a particular culture.