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These are difficult stories. We bear witness in this chapter to the role of sport in furthering the settler colonial projects throughout Turtle Island. Here are some supports to access in the community and from a distance:
First Peoples House of Learning Cultural Support & Counselling
Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwag Services Circle (Counselling & Healing Services for Indigenous Women & their Families) – 1-800-663-2696
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre (705) 775-0387
Peterborough Community Counselling Resource Centre: (705) 742-4258
Hope for Wellness – Indigenous help line (online chat also available) – 1-855-242-3310
LGBT Youthline: askus@youthline.ca or text (647)694-4275
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line – 1-866-925-4419
Talk4Healing (a culturally-grounded helpline for Indigenous women):1-855-5544-HEAL
Section One: History
A) The Residential School System
Exercise 1: Notebook Prompt
We are asked to honour these stories with open hearts and open minds.
Which part of the chapter stood out to you? What were your feelings as you read it? (50 words)
| The part of the chapter that stood out to me is the part about the choir in the residential schools. It says that Principle G. Donckele wrote about performing to sometimes white people, and sometimes Indians. It made me feel upset about how there was such a divide and that people thought that this type of behaviour was ok.
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B) Keywords
Exercise 2: Notebook Prompt
Briefly define (point form is fine) one of the keywords in the padlet (may be one that you added yourself).
| Cultural assimilation is the process when a culture (in this case Indigenous) is forced or pushed towards losing their culture. This can be through losing their language, traditions, style, etc. Cultural assimilation is usually forced upon these minorities, through discrimination, or even violence just so they can “fit in”
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C) Settler Colonialism
Exercise 3: Complete the Activities
Exercise 4: Notebook Prompt
Although we have discussed in this module how the colonial project sought to suppress Indigenous cultures, it is important to note that it also appropriates and adapts Indigenous cultures and “body movement practices” (75) as part of a larger endeavour to “make settlers Indigenous” (75).
What does this look like? (write 2 or 3 sentences)
| An example of this could be smudging. Smudging is an Indigenous ceremony to cleanse the body, mind and spirit. Many societies have done smudging, or something very similar without acknowledging their cultural significance. This, therefore takes any Indigenous culture practices away from Indigenous peoples.
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D) The Colonial Archive
Exercise 5: Complete the Activities
Section Two: Reconciliation
A) Reconciliation?
Exercise 6: Activity and Notebook Prompt
Visit the story called “The Skate” for an in-depth exploration of sport in the residential school system. At the bottom of the page you will see four questions to which you may respond by tweet, facebook message, or email:
How much freedom did you have to play as a child?
What values do we learn from different sports and games?
When residential staff took photos, what impression did they try to create?
Answer one of these questions (drawing on what you have learned in section one of this module or prior reading) and record it in your Notebook.
| When residential staff took pictures, they tried to create the impression that these schools were enjoyable and a good place for Indigenous students to go to. They took pictures of all the kids smiling, looking as if they are having a great time. Like we learned in the Truth and History part of this module, these sports were made to develop these kids culturally and socially, taking away their Indigenous heritage.
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B) Redefining Sport
B) Sport as Medicine
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
Make note of the many ways sport is considered medicine by the people interviewed in this video.
| Many ways that sport is considered medicine by the people interviewed in this video is explained through the words “therapy”, :a release” or a “time where Indigenous people could express their heritage”. They explain that when they play sport, they can be themselves, and take a break from life.
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C) Sport For development
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
What does Waneek Horn-Miller mean when she says that the government is “trying but still approaching Indigenous sport development in a very colonial way”?
| I think that she means that although the government is attempting to incorporate Indigenous sport development, they are not using their knowledge and ways of sport properly. I believe she thinks that their knowledge is being undermined and not used in ways that it could be used, especially as creators of many traditional sports. |
Exercise 8: Padlet Prompt
Add an image or brief comment reflecting some of “binding cultural symbols that constitute Canadian hockey discourse in Canada.” Record your responses in your Notebook as well.
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Section Three: Decolonization
Longer Prompt is Below
The Call to Action that I chose was #87, that explains how we call upon the government to join Aboriginal peoples, sports hall of fame, and other organizations to provide education to the public that explains the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history. There have been many steps taken to fulfill this call to action. To start, Tom Longboat awards (presented by The Aboriginal Sport Circle) were created to recognize Aboriginal athletes in Canada, and their amazing additions to sports. In addition, the Department of Canadian Heritage has also provided funding for other awards such as the National Indigenous Coaching Award. Recent investments and budgets from the Government of Canada has helped fulfill this Call to Action by providing funding to go towards Indigenous sports programming, and awards (Government of Canada, n.d.). An example of Indigenous sports programming could be the North American Indigenous Games (North American Indigenous Games, n.d.). There are a few ways that I think communities and individuals can contribute to this Call of Action. To start, I think communities should use Indigenous sports in education to teach young people about the history of Aboriginal peoples. I also think that sports, such as the North American Indigenous Games should be broadcasted more often, to help it become more popular. I think that individuals and settlers can contribute to this Call of Action by educating people. I think that settlers have an amazing story to tell, and that they can educate many people. I also think that through initiatives, and nonprofit organizations, individuals can spread awareness, help overcome barriers and work towards addressing the Call to Action #87.
References
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Sports and reconciliation. Government of Canada. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524505883755/1557512006268
North American Indigenous Games. (n.d.). About us. North American Indigenous Games. https://www.naigcouncil.com/about
