4 Chapter Four: Decolonizing Sport
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)
| I believe the main idea of these pages was how sports were used in residential schools from 1867-1939. One of the lines that stood out to me reads, “he stressed the role that the school played instilling the students with energy, preserving, self-control, morals, and religion.” As I have an understanding of the purpose of residential schools – this one-line gave me feelings of anger and sadness. I think these feelings came up mostly because I think this line does not have much truth to it, and instead serves as propaganda.
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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).
The Indian Act
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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)
| I think one way the colonial project works to adapt Indigenous cultures and “body movement practices” is through ways of dance, rituals and ceremonies. These aspects are often showcased at Indigenous events as they are a part of Indigenous cultures. This is also a way for Indigenous peoples to showcase their culture and history.
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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.
| How much freedom did you have to play as a child:
From what I can remember, I had a considerable amount of freedom to play as a child. When I was very young, I remember both my parents worked, which meant I would often have a lot of time to play with my sister, who is close in age to me. Going into school, I remember I would play a variety of sports at recess (soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, etc.). I also remember being on a soccer team every year since I was 3-4 years old. I played soccer my whole life up until COVID. I also remember my mom being big on games, weather that be card games, video games, or board games. All in all, I think I spent a lot of my childhood playing a sport or game. What values do we learn from sports and games? One of the most considerable values we learn from sports and games is how to work as a team. As I just mentioned, I played soccer growing up, which is a team sport. When I was younger, I didn’t quite understand this concept, but as I got older and joined a competitive team, I was able to see that the teams that had been together the longest often had better game outcomes. I also remember doing a lot of “team building” exercises, which really puts into perspective now how important it is for a team to function well together. I think it is important to learn how to work with a team when you are younger because you will have to do this when you are older. For example, school group projects, part-time jobs, and even just socialization. To conclude, I would argue one of the more important values we learn form sports and games is teamwork.
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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.
I just wanted to elaborate on some of these quotes from the video. What I have taken from this is sports is a way to almost “get away.” In terms of Indigenous peoples and residential schools, playing sports may distract them from what is really going on in the schools (abuse, malnourishment, etc.). I think that for people who were not directly affected by residential schools but still suffer from intergenerational trauma, this would also apply to them. I think that it is very spiritual to describe sports as “a gift from the creator.” This video really puts things into a different perspective and makes me think I have taken some things in my life for granted (such as playing sports).
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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”?
| This video pointed out the racism and socioeconomic issues that are instilled in sports to this day. Very few Indigenous athletes compete in the Olympics representing Team Canada, and this video outlines two main issues: economic issues and barriers to accessing sports.
Sports can be costly with the uniform, equipment, and actually paying for a space to play. This video points out that many Indigenous families do not have the money to spend on sports, making this an economic issue. Another issue that doesn’t allow Indigenous people to have the opportunity to play sports is barriers to accessing sports. This video says that oftentimes, accessing coaches, teams, and training can be hard due to it being out of reach distance-wise. All in all, these two barriers make it difficult for Indigenous peoples to access sports. Waneek Horn-Miller says that the government needs to start to understand how to work with Indigenous peoples and communities to understand how to develop a place of equal sport. To conclude, I think all of these barriers would explain why Waneek Horn-Miller states that the government is trying but still approaching Indigenous sport development in a very colonial way. |
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.
I think this picture binds cultural symbols because it is a picture of Indigenous people wearing a Team Canada jersey. I think the jersey is significant because it not only represents Canada but also represents the history Canada has with Indigenous peoples.
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Section Three: Decolonization
Longer Prompt (5%): Read the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action specific to sport again. Choose one of the Calls to Action that have been answered in full or in part and in 300 words explain the steps that have been taken to fulfill them and provide specific examples of what this looks like. Also reflect on how communities and individuals (particularly settlers) can contribute to addressing these Calls to Action.
The call to action I have chosen to write about is number 89, which asks the federal government to see sport as a way of health and well-being. This call also asks the government to reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the persuit of excellent in sport, build capacity in the Canadian sport system, and include Indigenous peoples in sport.
Since April 2022, the Aboriginal Sport Circle has been leading a Canada-wide consultation to create the National Strategy for Indigenous Sport, Recreation, Physical Activity, and Traditional Practice. This work is funded by Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada). The strategy will guide how to support Indigenous people in ways that respect their cultures — from getting involved in sports and physical activity to shaping government policies. It will also share best practices for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups working in areas like sports, recreation, health, and wellness. The Aboriginal Sport Circle sees this strategy as a key tool to help carry out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, especially those related to sport (Calls 87 to 91).
Some of the ways settler communities and individuals can contribute to addressing this call for action is by first educating themselves, secondly advocating for change, as well as supporting Indigenous led initiatives. Educating yourself about the Indigenous history of colonization would include learning about historic events such as residential schools, and how these schools related to sport and recreation development. It is extremely important to understand how systematic barriers continue to affect Indigenous peoples and their access to sport. In terms of advocating for change, settlers should reach out to elected government officials, sports organizations, and local governments to advocate for police and programs that address Indigenous needs in the realm of sport. It would also be important to demand accountability for how funding is being distributed within sports. Finally, supporting Indigenous initiatives would include promoting Indigenous led-sports programs, organizations, and events. This would also include supporting Indigenous athletes and coaches. Another thing settlers could do to support Indigenous led initiatives is volunteer their time or resources.
