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The
indigenous and endogenous mixtures comprise of the first people - native
Indians, Caribs, and Arawaks - South Asians,
East Asians, Africans, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, Greek, Italians,
Russians, Philippines, and all the myriad
groups resulting from intermixed marriages, etc., with each group striving to be
unique in its own identity, culture, and religious beliefs: yet, as a whole,
each wanting to belong to the people that make up these great nations:
Americans, Canadians, Trinbagonians, Guyanese, Grenadians, Barbadians, Jamaicans, Haitians, Cubans,
etc......
  
“Toronto Caribana,” a spin- off of Trinbago Carnival, was started off
originally by a group of Trinbagonians. It has since evolved as one of the largest
festival in Canada, and now belongs to the Caribbean-Canadian people, that is,
Caribbean people living in Canada. A defined distinction amongst this group of
people has emerged over the years - a distinction that sets them apart from all
the other Canadian peoples; in food, clothing, entertainment, arts, sports,
recreation, music, commerce and trading, education, and vocational training. From the lower
income groups of Canada a new identity has emerged. With strongly-disciplined
values deeply rooted in their heritage the Caribbean-Canadian people have become
acutely aware of their links to their homeland in the Caribbean, and even
further beyond. The print and broadcast media shows a
growing trend of a once scattered people coming of age with unique conformity.
Wealth accumulation and spending income is on the increase. Retiring back to
their homelands has become of paramount importance to many of these
groups.
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