THE MIGRATION, SETTLEMENT AND ETHNIC RELATIONS OF FINLAND-SWEDES fN CANADA. A Thesis Submitted to the College of Graduate Studies and Research in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Geography University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Copyright Mika Roinila. Al1 rights reserved. 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Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othemise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author' s ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Canada UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN College of Graduate Studies and Research SüMMARY OF DISSERTATION Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Mika Petri -0lavi Roinila Department of Geography University of Saskatchewan Examining Committee: Dr. R.B. McKercher ~ean/~ssociateDean/-*- , Chair College of Graduate Studies and Research Prof,J.McConnell Chair of Advisory Cornittee, Department of Geography Dr. J. Pooler Department of Geography Dr.W,Barr Department of Geography ~r.~.~nderson Department of Sociology External Examiner : Dr, J.Lehr Department of Geography, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba . R7A 6A9. THE MIGRATION, SETTLEMENT AND ETIINIC RELATIONS OF FZNLAND-SWEDES ïN CANADA The purpose of this dissertation is to address the lack of research dealing with the Finland-Swedish ethnolinguistic immigrant group in Canada. More specifically, the dissertation approaches this ethnolinguistic group.in two ways. The first half of the dissertation focuses on a historical- interpretative (hermeneutics) analysis of the Finland-Swedish population in Canada. Data were collected £rom numerous archives, church membership records, historic documentations and interviews in Canada and abroad. Much of the Finland-Swedish immigration pre- dates, albeit slightly, the Finnish-speaking immigration in many regions across the country. The social, cultural and economic impact of the Finland-Swedes in the Canadian multicultural society is recognized. A desire to keep up a distinct Finland-Swedish culture and heritage exists through a small number of fraternal and religious organizations in the regions with the highest Finland- Swedish population. The second half of the dissertation undertakes an analysis of a detailed survey of Finland-Swedish respondents in Canada, which provides data for a quantitative (empirical-analytic)approach and focuses on the shifting identities and attitudes of Finland-Swedes in Canada. Generational and regional differences for both variables are shown. This gives rise to a three stage mode1 of shifting identities , which f ollows three distinct time periods of immigration to Canada. These three periods are characterized by Swedish, Finland-Swedish and Finnish self-identities arnongst the respondents. Comparisons between attitudes held by Finland-Swedes towards outgroup members - including the Finnish-speaking immigrants - are possible from this dissertation and a previous stuày conducted in Finland by McRae, Bennett and Miljan (1988). The dissertation is based on an interdisciplinary approach using theories and methodologies of cultural, historical, and behavioural geography combined with theories f rom sociology, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology. This dissertation provides a s tepping Stone to additional research which can focus on inter-ethnic relations between the Finland-Swedes and Finns, along with other groups. By. so doing, the dissertation makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of Canada's multicultural society and the part Finland-Swedes have played in the settlement and assimilation process. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Graduate degree from the University of Saskatchewan, I agree that the Libraries of the University may make it freely available for inspection. 1 further agree that permission for copying of this thesis in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Dean of the college in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis or part thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which rnay be made of any material in my thesis. Request for permission to copy or make other use of material in this thesis in whole or in part should be addressed to : Head of the Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan, 9 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A5. ABSTRACT The purpose of this dissertation is to address the lack of research dealing with minor ethnolinguistic immigrant groups in Canada. More specifically, this dissertation examines the Finland-Swedish population in Canada. This ethnolinguistic group is approached in two ways. The first half of the dissertation focuses on a historical-interpretative (hermeneutics) analysis of the Finland-Swedish population in Canada. Data were collected £rom numerous archives, church membership records, historic documentations and interviews in Canada and abroad. Much of the Finland-Swedish immigration pre-dates, albeit slightly, the Finnish-speaking immigration in many regions across the country. The social, cultural and economic impact of the Finland-Swedes in the Canadian multicultural society is recognized. A desire to keep up a distinct Finland-Swedish culture and heritage exists through a small number of fraternal and religious organizations in the regions with the highest Finland-Swedish population. The second half of the dissertation undertakes an analysis of a detailed survey of Finland-Swedish respondents in Canada, which provides data for a quantitative (empirical- analytic) approach and focuses on the shifting identities and attitudes. Generational and regional di£f erences for both variables are show to Vary. This gives rise to a three stage mode1 of shifting identities, which f ollows three distinct time periods of immigration to Canada. These three periods are characterized by Swedish, Finland-Swedish and Fimish self- identities amongst the respondents. Cornparisons between attitudes held by Finland-Swedes towards outgroup members - including the Finns - are also possible £rom this dissertation and a previous study conducted in Finland by McRae, Bennett and Miljan (1988). The dissertation is based oc an interdisciplinary approach using theories and methodologies of cultural, historical, and behavioural geography combined with theories f rom sociology, social psychology, and cross-cultural psychology . This dissertation provides a stepping Stone to additional research which can focus on inter-ethnic relations between the Finland-Swedes and Finns, along with other groups- By so doing, it is hoped that the dissertation makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of Canada's multicultural society and the part Finland-Swedes have played in the settlement and assimilation process. iii The past three years have gone quickly. A dissertation such as this needs much support, which 1 would like to acknowledge here. At the "professional level", 1 want to thank my supervisor, Professor John McConnell for helping me corne up with the idea of researching the Finland-Swedish ethnic group in Canada. Thank you for your suggestions and criticisms which were an integral part of the make-up of this dissertation. 1 also want to thank the other members of my supervisory cornmittee, Dr.Jim Pooler, Dr.Bill Barr, and especially Dr .Alan Anderson who was a strong supporter. It did turn out to be a gold-mine! Thanks for your friendship. A special thanks to Dr.John Lehr for accepting the challenge in examining this dissertation. Acknowledgement is also given to a number of individuals whose interest in this research helped in the making of this dissertation. 1 would like to thank the members of the Order of Runeberg in Vancouver and New Westminster, BC, for accommodating me in their homes and providing much help in my research of the West Coast Finland-Swedes during the summer of 1995. Similarly, thanks go to the many individuals whom f had the pleasure of visiting during a research visit to Ontario during the summer of 1996. To al1 others who have helped in any way, big or small, you al1 have made an impact on this research. Without the support of a number of organizational grants and scholarships, this research would not have been possible. I would like