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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 chapter discussed how women were often not welcome in sports because it distracted them from their main social role of bearing children. This stood out to me because being a woman in sport myself, I cannot imagine that freedom of playing sports to be taken away from me because people think I should focus on having kids. In addition, the text explains that another reason women were discouraged from sports is because of the bulky clothing they would have to wear. This is a clear representation of how the sexualization of women in sport has been going on for a long time. Finally, what stood out to me most in the chapter was when the author was discussing how football became popular in residential schools. The author explains that one particular residential school, The Carlisle school in Pennsylvania became very successful in football and the director the school attributed this success to the assimilation of indigenous people into american culture. I find this extremely disturbing because rather than viewing these kids success as an attribution to their skill, it became a way for Americans to assimilate them even more into their culture, stripping these kids of their identity and rights. |
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).
Residential Schools:
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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)
| What first comes to mind is the representation of Indigenous culture in the media and sports. To start, when sports teams use traditional Indigenous imagery as their logos, this is appropriation because they are mocking the culture by utilizing their symbols for entertainment while blatantly ignoring their historical meaning. In addition, when sports teams participate in traditionally Indigenous rituals such as spiritual dances, this is an example of settlers attempting to feel connected to Indigenous culture without acknowledging the dark history of their ancestors and the colonial violence that occured. It looks like an attempt to fit in with Indigenous culture when in reality it is an act of ignorance. Another example I think of is the representation of Indigenous people in the media. I remember watching Pocahontas as a little girl strictly for entertainment purposes. It was not until I was older that I learned how the film is an example of cultural appropriation as the stories of real experiences are being twisted to a false narrative being shared for entertainment rather than education.
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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.
| As a child, I had the privilege of playing freely as much as I wished. This meant playing with toys, with friends of my choosing and playing sports. When I played sports, it was because I wanted to and had the support of my parents who signed me up for these sports. This is very different than children who attended residential schools. They played sports because they were forced to by school staff. Sports were not enforced to give the Indigenous children in schools a chance at fun, they were a part of the colonial mission to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. However, these children embraced sports as an opportunity to learn some survival strategies to help them face the abundance of hardships they would face within the residential schools. Children in residential schools began to embrace sports and use them as an escape. As described in the reading, some children in residential schools signed up for as many sports as possible to stay busy and survive. When I played sports as a child, it was never a means of survival. This showcases to me that I had a lot more freedom to play than many other children around the world did. In addition, thinking back to a reading from the start of this module, the author discussed how many Indigenous women were discouraged from playing sports because they were seen as too physically and mentally fragile. Being a girl myself, it is interesting how I never experienced this discrimination in sport. It makes me think that Indigenous girls received this treatment not only because they are girls but because they are Indigenous. This is an example of intersectionality and showcases how someone’s identity can give them more or less freedom than others with different identities. |
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.
| In the video, Aidan Baker explains how sport was a place where their original language could be utilized and prospered. Teammates would use their language as a field advantage to call out to one another during games. In addition, they explain that being able to use their language gave them a sense of pride as they reclaimed an aspect of their identity through sport. Furthermore, sport is described as being essential to the wellbeing of Indigenous people as it serves as a fun escape that acts as a sort of therapy for them. Tuari Treadwell explains that playing sports is a freedom granted to her by her ancestors. Describing that if it weren’t for their suffering, she likely would not have the freedom to play the sports that she does now. The people in this video explain that sports was an essential for the kids in residential schools because it was a way for them to bond and work together to get through all the horrible things that were happening to them. They see sport as a gift given to them by their creator and use it as a medicine to deal with personal struggles. Representation of Indigenous people in sport is also something that is described in the video. They explain that it is important for everyone to know that Indigenous people are alive and well and can prosper even in a country that tried to assimilate them into the Euro-Canadian culture. |
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”?
| From my understanding, Waneek Horn-Miller is explaining the system in which Indigenous sport has been built upon. She explains that while the Canadian government is trying, they need to find a way to work with Indigenous people to deepen their understanding. Access to sport for Indigenous families is difficult as often they cannot afford to play high level competitive sports. In addition, there is not a lot of support for Indigenous people in sport due to systemic racism. This implies that even when Indigenous people do play sports, they often face far more adversity due to their identity. This makes participating in sport more challenging as they have to battle social issues while attempting to compete in the sport they love. The Canadian government must work alongside Indigenous people rather than just taking charge of what sport looks like for them. For example, while lots of funding has been provided, the Canadian government is still in control of where this money goes. By working with Indigenous communities, the government can gain a better understanding of how Indigenous people will come together and where they need the most support in developing their sport. This will give Indigenous athletes a voice and a chance to be in control of their sports. This is important so that Indigenous athletes can prosper and be appreciated just as anyone else would be.
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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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Longer Prompt:
Section Three: Decolonization
Please see the major assignment for this half of the term in the final section of this chapter.
