A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in Partial Fulfillrnent of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
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Maintaining Ethnicity : A Case Study in the Maintenance of Ethnicity Among Chilean Immigrant Shidents By Stephanie A. Corlett, B.A. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillrnent of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario Novernber 1,2000 O 2000, Stephanie Corlett National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibiiographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington OttawaON KtAON4 Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Canada Your fi& Votre refërmca Our rVe Notre rei8rence The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la fome de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author reîaim ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantiai extracts hmit Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othenivise de celle-ci ne doivent êeimprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation, Abstract This thesis investigates the ways Chilean immigrant students perceive to maintain their ethnic identity within the mufticultural city of Ottawa. The data collected for this thesis spanned two years and is based on serni-stmctured interviews. participant observation, and visuai anthropology, amon= Chilean immigrant students currently enrolled or recentiy graduated from post-secondary institutions in the Ottawa area. An examination of the perception of multiculturalism's significance in the participants lives. the student's pre-conceived notions and expectations of Canada. and the effects of social institutions and culture on the immigrant student's maintenance of ethnic identity. Literature on muIticulturalism. immigration, and ethnicity are aiso explored to show how they compare and contrast to the perceptions of the immigrant students. This research indicates the rnost predorninant rnethods to maintain ethnicity for these Chilean students are through the retention of social institutions, and culture. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my comrnittee members, Brian Given and Karen March for their continued support and interest in my work. 1 would like to express thanks to Brian Given for his enthusiasm with regard to the use of visual anthropology and inspirin,0 me to use this technique throughout this research. 1 am thankful to Karen March for her never-ending help with grammar and insight into the organizational structure of this thesis. 1 am gratefui to the Chilean immigrant students, who were giving in their openness with respect to time and information. I had the opportunity to meet many füscinating people through this research. Finally, to my friends and family, 1 would Iike to acknowledge their patience and understanding throughout the research process. Table Of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 :Theon/ and Methodoloev .................................................................................. 7 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Definitions ................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Theoretical Approach ............ ,.-. ........................................................................ 11 1.3 Methods ................................................................................................................... 16 1.3.1 Semi-Structured Interviews ............................................................................. 17 1.3.2 Participant Observation ................................................................................ IS 1.3.3 Visual Anthropolo.~.................................................................................... 19 1.4 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 3: Background of Chile ....................................................................................... 24 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 24 3.1 Geographv ............................................................................................................... 24 2.2 People ...................................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Govemment............................................................................................................. 27 2.4 Economv ................................ .... ...................................................................... 28 2.5 Technolo~y........................................................................................................... 29 2.6 Easter Island .................................... ,,., .............. 29 Chapter 3: Multiculturcilism .............................................................................................. 32 3.0 introduction ............................................................................................................. 32 3.1 1mmi.mitionand Multic~~lturaiism.......................................................................... 33 3.2 MulticulturaI Composition of Canada .................................................................... 34 3.3 Mu1ticulturalism as Government Policv ................................................................. 39 Chapter 4: Pre-Conceptions and Firsr Im~ressions........................................................... 46 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 46 4.1 Participant Profiles ................................................................................................ 46 4.1.1 Aleiandra .......................................................................................................... 47 4.1 2 Andrea .............................................................................................................. 48 4.1.3 Carolina ............................................................................................................ 43 4.1.4 Elizabeth .......................................................................................................... 49 4.1 -5 Pablo ................................................................................................................ 49 4.1.6 Pabio2 ................... ,., ......................................................................................... 50 4.1.7 Paz ............................................................................................................... 50 4.1 -8 Ricardo ............................................................................................................ 51 4.2 Micration Experience and Expectations ................................................................. 52 4.3 Multiculturalisrn...................................................................................................... 61 .. Chapter- 5: Maintainine Ethnicitv........... .... ....... ..,....,. .................. 69 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 69 5.1- Social Instit~itions.................................................................................................... 69 3.2 Culture..................................................................................................................... 83 5.3 Maintainino Ethnicitv ............................................................................................. 93 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 148 Appendix A Fioure 1: Acculturation Strategies ............................................................ 154 Appendix A Fioiire 2: Acculturation Factor'; .................................................................... 155 Appendix B: Sarnple Interview Ouestions ...................................................................... 156 Appendix C:iMap Of Chile ............................................................................................. 158 List of Figures Figure 1: Canadian Immierant Population ........................................................................ 37 Fioure 2: Immierant Population for Ottawa-Hull ..................... ................................. 38 Fioure 3: Hioh Status Individuals: Traditional Chilean Vs . Chilean Lmmiorant Students 90 Figure 4: Elements That He!p Maintain Chilean Ethnicitv............................................... 94 Fieure 5: Elizabeth's Living Room At Chnstmas Season. With Painting Bv Guillermo Nunez And Poew Of Pablo Neruda ......................................................................... 99 Fioure 6: Poster With "A Mi Partido" Bv Pablo Neruda ...............................................