Canadian Heritage minutes are meant to inform Canadians about their country’s history and instil a sense of pride in its people. However, they reflect a bias image of major historical events. Certain cultural groups, genders, government officials and individuals are misrepresented and the events are shown as peaceful and beneficial to both sides depicted. The nationalism portrayed in these commercials shows Canadians as diplomatic and generous people which our history’s true past contradicts. The Heritage Minutes commercials reinforce common stereotypes that other countries have about Canada.
The commercials cover topics ranging from how the first superman comic was created to how and when women demanded the right to vote. However, many clips show an idealistic approach on the events that occurred and often have a bias view of certain groups of people. In the clip that explains how Canada came to be the name of our country, it shows the native people wilfully invite Jacques Cartier and his men into their village (Historica Minutes, 2010). Certain clips, including ‘Vimy Ridge’ and ‘Juno Beach’ show all the Canadian military members as being willing to fight (Historica Minutes, 2010). These clips are unrealistic if you are knowledgeable on the topics that are presented in the commercials. Otherwise, it is interesting to reflect on whether or not Canadians merely take these clips as fact or if they understand the biases presented.
Canadians are widely stereotyped to be naturally loving, passive, peace- keeping individuals where Americans are often labelled as ignorant, selfish and violent people (Leroux, personal communication, 2010). In some of the Heritage Minute commercials, these stereotypes are reinforced. In the clip labelled ‘Sam Steele’, it shows a brash American trying to enter the Canadian gold fields (Historica Minutes, 2010). When denied entrance due to possession of weapons, he is outraged and begins threatening RCMP officer Sam Steele with his gun saying that Canadians do not have that right over Americans (Historica Minutes, 2010). Sam Steele calmly encourages the man to go back to his country without showing any sign of fear (Historica Minutes, 2010). This description of events clearly reinforces the idea that Americans are quick to anger and it also strengthens the idea that Canadians have always been successful in their actions through talking it out without the use of violence or weapons.
When reflecting on what these commercials truly represent, many questions come to mind. I understand the point of these commercials is to send a patriotic message to Canadians but is it right to distort past events and give Canadians and other countries a false representation of our true history? Do other cultures feel offended that these clips fabricate a false account about their own past cultural experiences? Do Canadians simply accept these depictions as a true explanation of our history? These questions emphasize the importance of thinking critically about what you see and hear on television. The past should not be summed up in a 60 second commercial as they simply skim over the events that took place giving everyone a skewed idea of what actually took place.
References:
(2005). Historica Minutes. Retrieved October 9th, 2010 from
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