Thanksgiving in Canada

Thanksgiving in Canada

The First Nations in Canada, the people originally living there before European colonization, have many different celebrations throughout the year. Many of them have festivals to celebrate the harvest.

​The Haudeonosaunee First Nation (left) corn harvest is one example of a traditional harvest celebration.

​The first Canadian Thanksgiving

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In 1578, an English navigator named Martin Frobisher ​was trying to find the Northwest passage so that England could access the spice trade.

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​Frobisher's other clothes were being washed for portrait day, but a potato sack made an adequate substitute. (1577, colourized)

​Martin Frobisher

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The voyage was very difficult. He and his crew experienced bad weather and storms in the Arctic Ocean. They celebrated their safe arrival with food. The first Thanksgiving food wasn't very delicious, but they were happy to be alive.

​Frobisher Bay, Nunavut was named after him.

​Left to right: salted beef, mushy peas, and hardtack biscuits.

​Today, Thanksgiving food is a little bit better.

Open Ended

What traditions do you think people in Canada celebrate at Thanksgiving?

Multiple Choice

Is it Canadian or American? The Super Bowl

• Canadian

• American

• Both

Multiple Choice

Canadian or American? Black Friday

• Canadian

• American

• Both

Multiple Choice

Canadian or American? The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

• Canadian

• American

• Both

Multiple Choice

Canadian or American? Turkey and pumpkin pie

• Canadian

• American

• Both

Multiple Choice

Do you think Thanksgiving is a public holiday in all of Canada?

• It's a holiday in all of Canada.

• It's a holiday in some parts of Canada.

• It's not a public holiday.

It's not a public holiday in all of Canada (In Québec, the French-speaking region, it isn't really celebrated at all).

People in the USA usually fly home to be with their families, watch American football, and go shopping, but in Canada, this holiday isn't such a big deal.

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​In Canada, Thanksgiving is a smaller, less important holiday than in the USA.

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Open Ended

Why do you think Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier than American Thanksgiving?

Open Ended

Can you think of any other celebrations that take place around this time of year?