Are we Canadian? American? Polish? Or a hyphenated combination of these?
These and other questions are discussed by students and speakers about our identity. Some are recent immigrants and speak Polish well. Many are the second or third generation, or have North American roots going back to the turn of the 20th century.
Many trace more than one ethnicity in their background, not surprising given the multi-ethnic character of historic Poland. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was an early modern state remarkable for its diversity and its tolerance.
A discussion of ethnicity, religious differences and cultural orientations is of particular interest to people living in modern multi-cultural countries such as Canada and the U.S. The society is enriched – but not without tensions and inequities.
Is language essential to one’s identity? What about common cultural references? Can these be transmitted from one generation to another and if so, are they authentic or do they become myths? What is lost in translation – and what is lost because not enough is translated?
Identity provokes a lively discussion, enriched by the research and professional experience of Poland in the Rockies speakers and animated by personal anecdotes from all participants.