The Canadian Mosaic in the Age of Transnationalism

Abstract

Canada’s ideological concept of the mosaic has considerably changed over the years. Whereas, until the 1980s, it was predominantly white and European in origin, it has since become much more colourful with Asian, African, Caribbean, First Nations, and other facets being added. Moreover, there is the at times seemingly contradictory tendency towards border crossings and the dissolution of boundaries. Many recent Canadian cultural products are by artists who work from a sense of belonging to more than one location, space, or culture. This collection of essays brings together scholars from various disciplines who investigate the geographical, sociological, political, economic, literary, and cultural implications attached to the concept of the Canadian mosaic in an age of mobility and globalization. Cutting across nationally framed area studies, the contributors address both theoretical questions and practical examples that range from the applicability of the terms ‘postcolonial’ and ‘imperial’ to Canada over ethnic and post-ethnic forms of literary expression to Canadian popular culture.