Discover Where Your Family Comes From!

Your family has a special story. Origin means where your family first came from. Some families come from far away countries. Some families have lived in Canada for a very long time!

Canada is home to many families. You can learn about Types of Families to see how families can look different from each other. Every family is special and unique.

Canada is a big, diverse country. Some families are Indigenous they have lived here for thousands of years. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples are the original peoples of this land.

Some families moved to Canada from another country. A person who moves to a new country is called an immigrant. You can learn more about Immigration Stories to hear how families came to Canada.

Many French-speaking families live in Québec. English and French are Canada's two official languages. Canada is called a multicultural country because so many different families live here together!

Culture is the special way of life your family shares. It includes food, music, language, and customs. Your culture comes from where your family is from.

Tradition is something your family does over and over, like a holiday celebration. You can explore Family Celebrations to learn about special traditions families share. You can also discover Cultural Foods and Dress to see how food and clothing show culture.

Heritage is the history and traditions passed down from your grandparents and great-grandparents. It helps you know who you are and where you come from.

You can look at old photos or listen to Family Stories to learn about your heritage. Your family might also have special objects called Family Artifacts that tell your family's story.

Origin: Origin means where your family first came from. Your family's origin might be a different country or a different part of Canada.

Culture: Culture is the shared way of life of a group of people. It includes food, music, language, and customs your family shares.

Tradition: A tradition is something your family does over and over, like celebrating a special holiday or cooking a special meal.

Heritage: Heritage means the traditions and history passed down from your ancestors to you. It helps you understand where your family comes from.

Language: Language is how people talk and communicate. Many families in Canada speak more than one language, like English, French, or an Indigenous language.

Grandparent: A grandparent is an older family member, like your grandma or grandpa.

Sibling: A sibling is your brother or sister.

Parent: A parent is a grown-up caregiver, like your mom or dad.

Cousin: A cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle.

Immigrant: An immigrant is a person who moves from one country to another country to live there.

Indigenous: Indigenous peoples are the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have lived in Canada for thousands of years.

Multicultural: Multicultural means many people from different cultures and backgrounds live together in one country, like Canada.

Extended Family: An extended family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, not just parents and children.

Nuclear Family: A nuclear family is made up of two parents and their children living together.

Family Tree: A family tree is a chart that shows the names and relationships of your family members.

You can ask a family member where your family comes from. You can look at old family photographs together. You can listen to stories your grandparents tell you!

You can also share your family's culture with your classmates. You might bring in a traditional food, a photo, or a story. Learning about Languages and Communication can help you understand how families share their stories.

You can explore First Peoples Oral Histories to learn how Indigenous families share their stories through speaking and listening.

Learning about family origins helps you get ready for bigger ideas. You will soon learn about Family and Community History and how families helped build communities.

You will also discover Coming to the Community and learn how families moved to new places. You will explore Diversity Within Communities and see how different families make communities special. You will also learn about Ways People Express Culture to see how families share who they are.

Family origins connect to many other topics you will explore! Here are some important connections:

• You will learn about Family Relationships to understand how family members are connected to each other.
• You will discover Family Roles and Responsibilities to see what each family member does to help.
• You will explore Family Changes to learn how families can change over time.
• You will find out about Generational Changes to see how families are different across time.
• You will learn about Types of Families to see the many ways families can be made up.
• You will explore Cultural Foods and Dress to discover how food and clothing show your family's culture.
• You will discover Family Celebrations to learn about special traditions families share together.
• You will learn about Family Artifacts to see how special objects tell your family's story.
• You will explore Family Stories to hear how families pass down their history through storytelling.
• You will discover First Peoples Oral Histories to learn how Indigenous families share their stories.
• You will learn about Immigration Stories to hear how families came to Canada from other countries.
• You will explore Languages and Communication to understand how families communicate in different languages.