Norwegian Canadians facts for kids
| Norsk-kanadiere | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 452,705 (by ancestry, 2011 Census) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Canada |
|
 Alberta |
152,640 |
 British Columbia |
134,430 |
 Saskatchewan |
69,490 |
 Ontario |
56,215 |
 Manitoba |
20,790 |
 Quebec |
7,490 |
 Nova Scotia |
5,190 |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
|
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Norwegians, Norwegian Americans, Norwegian Australians, Norwegian New Zealanders, Dutch Canadians, Danish Canadians, Swedish Canadians, Flemish Canadians | |
Norwegian Canadians are people living in Canada who have family roots in Norway, or who moved to Canada from Norway. They are an important part of Canada's diverse population. Many of them keep their Norwegian traditions alive.
Contents
Who are Norwegian Canadians?
Norwegian Canadians are Canadian citizens who have full or partial Norwegian ancestry. This means their parents, grandparents, or other family members came from Norway. Some Norwegian Canadians were born in Norway and later moved to Canada.
Where do they live?
Most Norwegian Canadians live in the western provinces of Canada. Alberta has the largest number, followed by British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Many early Norwegian settlers were farmers, so they moved to areas with good land.
Languages and beliefs
Most Norwegian Canadians speak Canadian English or Canadian French. Some also speak Norwegian, especially older generations or those who recently moved from Norway.
When it comes to religion, most Norwegian Canadians are Christian. Many belong to the Lutheran church, which is the main church in Norway. Other Christian groups like Baptists, Pentecostals, and Catholics are also part of the community.
A brief history of Norwegians in Canada
Norwegians have a long history with North America. The first Europeans to reach North America were Leif Ericson and other Norse explorers around 1000 AD. They landed in a place they called Vinland, which is now L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland and Labrador. This was almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus!
Early immigration waves
The first big wave of Norwegian immigrants came to Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many were looking for new opportunities and land to farm. They often settled in the Canadian Prairies, especially in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They built new communities and helped develop the land.
Norwegians during World War II
During World War II, Canada played a special role for Norway. When Norway was occupied by Germany, many Norwegian soldiers and pilots came to Canada. They trained at a special camp called Little Norway near Toronto, Ontario. This camp helped prepare Norwegian forces to fight for their country's freedom.
Norwegian culture in Canada
Norwegian Canadians have worked hard to keep their culture alive. They celebrate traditional Norwegian holidays and share their customs with others.
Festivals and traditions
Many communities hold Norwegian festivals. These events often feature traditional music, dancing, and food. You might see people wearing bunad, which are beautiful traditional Norwegian costumes.
Food and crafts
Norwegian food is also an important part of their culture. Popular dishes include lefse (a soft flatbread), krumkake (a thin, rolled cookie), and fårikål (a lamb and cabbage stew). Many Norwegian Canadians also enjoy traditional crafts like rosemaling (decorative painting) and knitting.
Notable Norwegian Canadians
Many Norwegian Canadians have made important contributions to Canada.
One very famous Norwegian Canadian is the musician Joni Mitchell. She is a world-renowned singer-songwriter and artist. Her music has influenced many people around the globe.
Images for kids
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Leif Ericson discovered Canada and North America.
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New Norway, Alberta circa 1915
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A map of the United States and Canada with number of Norwegian Americans and Norwegian Canadians in every state and province including Washington, D.C.
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A map of the United States and Canada with percentage of Norwegian Americans and Norwegian Canadians in every state and province including Washington, D.C.
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Little Norway, a Norwegian Army Air Service/Royal Norwegian Air Force training camp in Canada during the Second World War
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68,640 people in Saskatchewan are of Norwegian ancestry.
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Joni Mitchell, one of the most famous Norwegian Canadians
See also
In Spanish: Inmigración noruega en Canadá para niños
