During spring semester I took a class at OSU on American Indian identity. And as I walked through the streets of Quebec, Canada, whether Montreal, Ottawa, or Quebec City, I saw many representations of Indians that might influence how Canadian Indians—the First Nations People—construct their own identities.

Most of the museums I visited had large exhibits dedicated to the First Nations People, although few of them contained displays dealing with contemporary Indians. The Canadian Museum of History, located in Gatineau right across the Ottawa River from Ottawa, had an enormous exhibit showing the diversity among Canada’s many indigenous cultures. The architecture of the Canadian Museum of History was designed by the same architect that designed the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. and contains Indian beliefs and ideals in the design. The Centre d’histoire de Montreal had a section on Montreal’s original inhabitants and their initial contact with Europeans. And the McCord Museum, right next to McGill University, had an exhibit on Canadian Indian identity focusing on material culture, such as clothing and jewelry.

Even without going to museums it was almost impossible to walk through Montreal without seeing Indian imagery. I saw figures, artwork, and clothing with Native prints in gift shops and clothing stores. Some stores were selling items specifically made by First Nations People. Another sight reminded me of a controversial issue in the United States: the use of Indian Mascots. As I was walking through downtown Montreal I saw the bus for the Shawinigan Cataractes. They are an ice hockey team with the image of an angry Indian as their mascot. That type of mascot is harmful for Indians because it creates social pressure for Indians to change their identity based off of misrepresentations that have been accepted by the majority in their society.

When our class was taking a walking tour of Quebec City, we witnessed a protest by First Nations People who were opposed to underwater and underground oil lines cutting through their land. Land is an important issue for the First Nations People because it is sacred, and Indian identity is often connected with the land. While we were close to the protest, another group protesting the pipelines marched up the street with a police escort and joined the Indian protest in front of the Quebec parliament building.

The most unexpected thing I’ve learned about Montreal is that the city, at one time, had a wall that separated itself from the outside. Because I traveled to Berlin last December, images of the fragmented Berlin Wall were fresh in my mind. I couldn’t help wondering whether there were similarities between these two walls – both built to keep out the “Other”. During our walking tour of Old Montreal, we saw an area where their Wall once stood. Only rocks embedded in a structure roughly eighteen inches in height remains. This original foundation is capped with modern stone slabs with sleek lines; its previous purpose as well as its height seemingly truncated by more contemporary materials and ideas.

Montreal is a place full of acceptance. The people there are very kind and will take the time to listen to you–no matter what language you are speaking. I also found it interesting how accepting they were of the LGBT community! Unlike in the United States, gay rights and equality are openly spoken about. Talking about or cracking jokes regarding LGBT (in a positive light) is not a hushed thing. For example: I believe many of us were surprised when our walking tour guide made the bixi bike joke. He said that the bikes were called “bixi bikes” because they were bisexual…usually in the US you don’t hear someone say an object is bisexual, so I thought that was pretty cool!

Another thing to point out is St. Catherines street. This street is pride central. From the pink balls symbolizing their pride to the paintings of naked men displayed in the Sky Bar, this street is where it’s at. It doesn’t matter if you are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, or trans, everyone is welcome on this street, and it isn’t hard to start conversations with people and/or even make a new friend.

I don’t think there is any place I can compare this street to in Columbus. It blew my mind and made me so happy that everyone I met was a supporter. Hopefully soon Montreal will be Ohio’s influence to be as open and accepting of the LGBT community!