Abstract

The motivation behind this study is the uniqueness of the Armenian-Quebecois community. This diaspora has had to adapt to their new home, Quebec, the only francophone province of Canada, as well as live with the intergenerational trauma of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Quebecois nationalism and Armenian desire for cultural retention created contention for these ethnic groups. The Quebecois francophone community and the Armenian diaspora are two strong communities that are both emotionally attached to their culture and heritage. Both communities have faced political and social challenges in order to find a common political ground of association. Their historical circumstances as well as adaptability and compromise have settled this friction. This settlement paved way for Armenian institutional completeness and identity in Quebec. Twelve interviews with members of the community were conducted to understand this phenomenon. Particularly, members of three institutions – the Armenian school, church and family – as well as individuals socialized by these institutions. Results show that the degree of Armenian institutional completeness in Quebec allows Armenians to retain their culture and gain a strong sense of Armenian identity. Additionally, Armenian institutional completeness provides tools for integration into Quebec, such as learning the French language and the norms of Quebec society. Armenians in Quebec participate in both their ethnic and civic institutions, leading to a people who identify strongly as Armenians and who have integrated in Quebec society.