Canadians know little about racialized citizens, poll finds
Only 16 per cent of respondents pass quiz on a range of issues
TORONTO — Indigenous and other racialized Canadians have been shaping the country’s history and culture for centuries, but a new poll suggests most Canadians have a lot to learn about most of them.
The survey commissioned by Historica Canada, creator of the popular Heritage Minutes, asked 1,000 respondents a series of 24 questions aimed at determining their knowledge on a range of issues.
Only 16 per cent of respondents were able to pass the quiz, which featured facts about the contributions of prominent Canadians ranging from Olympic athletes to scientists.
The poll found survey participants generally knew the least about figures from Indigenous or other racialized backgrounds, with the exception of civil rights crusader Viola Desmond.
Less than six per cent of respondents recognized figures such as Indigenous filmmakers and human rights activists, or the first RCMP officer to wear a turban.
Historica says, despite the low numbers, there are signs that the public is eager to expand its knowledge of Canadians who have remained on the margins of history and society.
“We are all coming to understand that we need to hear more voices from more places, at greater volume, speaking directly to us,” said Anthony Wilson-smith, Historica’s chief executive. “There has not been the same attention paid to the pioneers and heroes from (Indigenous and Black) communities.”
The survey presented participants with 24 statements about Canadian doctors, innovations or other notable figures and asked them to identify whether they were true or false. The vast majority of respondents, 84 per cent, were unable to complete the 13 correct answers needed to pass the quiz.
Survey participants often failed to identify the accomplishments of various figures from marginalized communities. Most did not know, for instance, that William Peyton Hubbard, the son of slaves who came to Canada via the Underground Railroad, helped cofound the company known today as Hydro One.
Few knew that Chief Dan George was the first Indigenous actor to be nominated for an Academy Award, or that the first Indigenous doctor to head up a North American medical association was Quebec-born Innu surgeon Stanley Vollant.
The poll found participants also struggled to separate fact from fiction related to figures with more name recognition.
About 91 per cent of respondents, for instance, incorrectly said that environmentalist David Suzuki once hosted a children’s television program called “Dr. Dave’s Junior Science Club.”
Decorated Olympian Clara Hughes garnered the most name recognition, though still with just 35 per cent of survey participants saying they knew who she was. Desmond came in second with 29 per cent.
On the other end of the spectrum were Indigenous filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin, RCMP officer Baltej Dhillon, and Indigenous human rights activist and feminist Mary Two-axe Earley. No more than six per cent of respondents said they were familiar with their names or accomplishments.