To make settlers Indigenous is to commit acts of colonial white nationalism to such lengths that settlers understand their national identity on stolen land as one that is Indigenous. So that British, French, etc. settlers live and settler in a place like Canada so firmly that they do not recognize themselves as Indigenous to France or Britian but to Canada, and are Canadian, “Indigenous”, as if they have always been Canadian.

Or appropriating certian activities and lifestyle acts of the Indigenous populations these settlers and their society aim to eliminate. An easy example is of settler Canadians appropriating activities like snowshoeing or lacrosse into their own settler form as if it is a Canadian thing not activities created by Indigenous peoples with their own story telling and cultural ties to these activities that are at risk of being lost due to settler appropiation.

The impression residential staff wanted to make with photos or students in residential schools is, that these schools of assimilation were pleasent places with students who enjoyed themselves. When in reality these photos are proof of a manufactured colonial narrative being built to sustain assimilation.  Especially considering the pictures of students playing or enjoying hockey, a sport used as an a tool of assimilation, that unfortunately was some students only escape or time they enjoyed themselves was still a tool of colonialism.

“Sport is essential to progressive well-being of Indigenous people.”

Thinking about this weeks module, my connection to hockey and my Indigeneity, and stories of hockey in Canada I remembered this story from 2021 that dicussed the racist remarks pro NHl player Ethan Bear faced following a playoff lose for the Edmonton Oilers. This story is a glimsp into what can be everyday occurences of racism for Indigenous athletes in hockey, and sheds light on the reality of hockey culture in Canada.