A Canadian Cultural Genealogy

With the exception of the Tragically Hip, I have excluded Canadian musicians simply because they would exaggerate the list and because Canadian music for the most part is no more culturally specific than any other (accounting for its international success). The inclusion of the Hip here reflects their use of Canadian specific content throughout their songs. Leonard Cohen is included for his work as writer more than for his work as a musician.

This list merely tried to illustrate the groupings of artists by generation, to show the progression of cultural achievers over the last century. This illustrates that at the beginning of the 21st Century we have a legacy of artists to understand a heritage around, which wasn’t so much the case even fifty years ago. Also, any name not here is more of an oversight than a judgment (suggestions welcome).

Catharine Parr Traill 1802 – 1899
Susanna Moodie 1803 – 1885

Ozias Leduc 1864-1955

J.E.H. MacDonald 1873 – 1932 (G7)
Tom Thomson 1877-1917 (G7)

Fred Varley 1881-1969 (G7)
A.Y. Jackson 1882-1974 (G7)
Lawren Harris 1885-1970 (G7)
Arthus Lismer 1885-1969 (G7)
Frank Johnston 1888 – 1949 (G7)

Franklin Carmichael 1890 – 1945 (G7)
Harold Innis 1894-1952

Paul-Emile Borduas 1905-1960
Hugh MacLennan 1907-1990

Marshall McLuhan 1911 – 1980
Northrop Frye 1912-1991
Robertson Davies 1913-1995
George Grant 1918-1988
Pierre Trudeau 1919 – 2000

Jean-Paul Riopelle 1923-2002
Oscar Peterson 1925-2007
Margaret Laurence 1926-1987

Timothy Findley 1930 – 2002
Mordecai Richler 1931-2001
Alice Munro 1931 –
Glenn Gould 1932 – 1982
Robert Fulford 1932-
Leonard Cohen 1934 –
Garry Neil Kennedy 1935 –
Margaret Atwood 1939 –
Adrienne Clarkson 1939 –

Jorge Zontal 1944 – 1994 (General Idea)
Felix Partz 1945-1994
Jeff Wall 1946 –
AA Bronson 1946- (General Idea; Solo)
John Ralston Saul 1947 –
Rodney Graham 1949 –
David Gilmour 1949 –

George Elliott Clarke 1960 –
Douglas Coupland 1961 –
Gordon Downie 1964 – (Tragically Hip)
Paul Langlois (1964 – (Tragically Hip)
Rob Baker 1962 (Tragically Hip)
Gord Sinclair (Tragically Hip)
Johnny Fay 1966 – (Tragically Hip)
Mark Kingwell 1965-
Darren O’Donnell 1965 –

5 Responses to A Canadian Cultural Genealogy

  1. J@simpleposie says:

    Um, off the top of my head:

    Emily Carr, 1871-1945
    Jack Shadbolt 1909 -1998
    Lorne Greene, 1915 -1987
    Al Purdy, 1918-2000
    Bruno Gerussi, 1928 – 1995
    Mo Kauffman, 1928 – 2001
    Michael Snow, 1929 –
    Stompin’ Tom, 1936
    Gwendolyn MacEwen, 1941 -1987
    James Reaney, 1926 – 2008
    Roy Kiyooka, 1926 – 1994
    Greg Curnoe 1936 – 1992
    Martin Short, 1950 –
    Anne Murray, 1945 –
    Joni (A Case of You) Mitchell 1943-
    Neil Young, 1945-
    Robby Robertson 1943 –
    Daniel Lanois 1951-
    Cardiff and Bures Miller respectively 1957 and 1960 –
    Stan Douglas 1960 –

  2. Timothy says:

    Good list, thanks.

    Although, as I said, I didn’t want to include too many musicians, so I’m not sure about Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, N Young, R Robertson, D Lanois. As I said, Cdn Musicians would exaggerate (ie overwhelm) the list, since they’re much more prominent in the culture-at-large.

    I’m not sure about Martin Short; if I were to include actors I’d of course add Cpt. Kirk to this mix, and Short reminds me of Mike Meyers. Although I do think there’s an argument to be made for comedians over actors, since comedians do affect our imaginations with memorable characters.

  3. J@simpleposie says:

    It’s an interesting project you have going, Tim. Cap’n Kirk absolutely must be on that list! Wayne and Shuster, Rich Little, Meyers and Ackroyd and all the strange brew/second city people too. Basically, wherever you find one artist, there are usually a couple more in the building. I guess I disagree with you on the music stuff. If you are looking at things historically, the Tragically Hip have their lineage. I don’t see them as a singular Canadian event. Canadian musicians have been tragically hip forever. I don’t really see a way to leave Joni Mitchell off the list – for the lyrics to A Case of You, alone:

    Just before our love got lost you said
    I am as constant as a northern star
    And I said, constant in the darkness
    Where’s that at?
    If you want me I’ll be in the bar

    On the back of a cartoon coaster
    In the blue tv screen light
    I drew a map of Canada
    Oh Canada
    And your face sketched on it twice

    Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
    Oh and you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet
    Oh I could drink a case of you
    I could drink a case of you darling
    And I would still be on my feet
    Oh I’d still be on my feet

    Oh I am a lonely painter
    I live in a box of paints
    I’m frightened by the devil
    And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid
    I remember that time that you told me, you said
    Love is touching souls
    Surely you touched mine
    Cause part of you pours out of me
    In these lines from time to time

    Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
    And you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet
    Oh I could drink a case of you
    I could drink a case of you darling
    Still Id be on my feet
    And still be on my feet

    I met a woman
    She had a mouth like yours
    She knew your life
    She knew your devils and your deeds
    And she said
    Color go to him, stay with him if you can
    Oh but be prepared to bleed
    Oh but you are in my blood you’re my holy wine
    Oh and you taste so bitter, bitter and so sweet
    Oh I could drink a case of you darling
    Still I’d be on my feet
    I’d still be on my feet