Discover How Families Are Different: Language, Food, and Dress

Every family is special. You and your family have your own language, food, and clothes. These things are part of your culture. You can learn about Family Relationships to understand more about the people in your family.

Families in Canada come from many places. Some families have always lived here. Other families moved here from other countries. This makes Canada a very special place!

Your family has an origin. That means where your family comes from. Some families come from places like India, China, or Mexico. Some families have always lived in Canada.

Many families moved to Canada and brought their food, language, and clothes with them. You can learn more about Family Origins to find out where families come from.

Canada's First Peoples First Nations, Métis, and Inuit have lived here for thousands of years. Their families have very special traditions and stories. You can explore First Peoples Oral Histories to learn more.

Your family may speak one or more languages. Canada has two official languages: English and French. Many families speak French, especially in Quebec.

Indigenous families speak their own special languages. In British Columbia, languages like Halkomelem, Squamish, Haida, and Tlingit have been spoken for thousands of years. Cree is another Indigenous language spoken across Canada.

Some families speak languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Somali, Punjabi, or Tagalog at home. You can discover more about Languages and Communication.

Families eat different foods. The food your family eats is part of your culture. Poutine is a famous Canadian food made with fries, cheese, and gravy.

Bannock is a traditional bread made by many Indigenous families. Salmon is a very important food for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia. Families have caught and eaten salmon for thousands of years.

Other families eat foods like dumplings, sushi, samosas, rice rolls, and tacos. You can learn more about Cultural Foods and Dress.

Families wear different kinds of clothes. Some clothes are worn every day. Some special clothes are worn for celebrations.

Regalia is special traditional clothing worn by Indigenous families during ceremonies. It often has beadwork and feathers. A Métis sash called a ceinture fléchée is a colourful woven belt worn by Métis people.

A parka is a thick warm coat worn by Inuit peoples in cold Arctic weather. A turban is a head covering worn by Sikh families. A sari is worn by some families from South Asia. A tuque is a warm knit hat worn in Canada. A beaded vest and a hide robe are traditional Indigenous garments.

Families share their culture at celebrations. They share food, songs, and dances. You can learn about Family Celebrations and Cultural Festivals to see how families celebrate.

Totem poles are carved by First Nations artists. They tell stories about families and history. They are an important part of First Nations culture.

Culture: Your culture is the special way your family lives, eats, talks, and celebrates.

Origin: Your origin is where your family comes from.

Regalia: Regalia is special traditional clothing worn by Indigenous families at ceremonies. It has beadwork and feathers.

Métis sash (ceinture fléchée): A colourful woven belt worn by Métis people at celebrations.

Parka: A parka is a thick warm coat worn by Inuit peoples to stay warm in cold weather.

Turban: A turban is a head covering worn by Sikh families as part of their culture.

Sari: A sari is a type of clothing worn by some families from South Asia.

Tuque: A tuque is a warm knit hat worn in Canada, especially in winter.

Bannock: Bannock is a traditional bread made by many Indigenous families in Canada.

Poutine: Poutine is a famous Canadian food made with fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

Salmon: Salmon is a fish that is a very important traditional food for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.

Totem pole: A totem pole is a carved pole made by First Nations artists that tells stories about families and history.

Beaded vest: A beaded vest is a traditional piece of clothing worn by some Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Hide robe: A hide robe is a traditional garment worn by some Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Cree: Cree is an Indigenous language spoken by First Nations people across Canada.

Halkomelem: Halkomelem is an Indigenous language spoken in British Columbia.

You can draw a picture of a food your family loves. You can share what language your family speaks. Ask a grown-up to tell you where your family comes from!

You can also learn about Immigration Stories to hear how families came to Canada. You can explore Family Stories to learn how families share their history.

You already know that people look different from each other. You learned about Physical Characteristics: Hair, Skin Colour and Eyes and how everyone looks unique. You also know about Personal Uniqueness and Individual Interests and Abilities.

You know about different Types of Families and Family Roles and Responsibilities. These ideas help you understand how families are different.

After learning this topic, you will be ready to explore even more! You will learn about Cultural Customs and Traditions and Cultural Foods and Traditional Dress Across Societies.

You will discover Community Languages and Multilingual Diversity and Diversity Within Communities. You will also learn about Ways People Express Culture and Coming to the Community.

You can look forward to learning about Cultural Celebrations, Festivals, Holidays and Events, Community Celebrations and Events, and Sharing Between Cultures. You can also explore Family Structure Evolution: Grandparents Era vs Modern Households.