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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 was hearing that students apart of the brass bands, would also get the opportunity to play in local community bands as well. The costumes were funded by members of the community which consisted of mixed elements of Aboriginal motifs and European military uniforms. I thought this was interesting on how they display both visual symbols from the Aboriginal culture as well as military uniforms. The combination of the two do not really make sense to me.
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).
Settler Colonialism:
This is a type of colonialism where foreigners come to a new territory and settle there while also trying to displace the pre-existing Indigenous population. This involves establishing new social and political order that benefits the settlers while eliminating the old ones used by the Indigenous people.
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)
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.
The question I am answering is: How much freedom did you have to play as a child?
As a child, I had a lot of freedom regarding play. I would be able to play whenever and wherever I wanted. I would play by myself with my toys, with my brother, parents, and even friends. I had the freedom to play outside with kids on my street as well as in sports throughout my entire childhood. After reading “The Skate,” it saddens me to learn that hockey which is a sport I loved and played throughout my entire childhood was used as a way to force European and Canadian values onto Indigenous children. Although I had so much freedom and passion when It came to that sport, I know it was not the same for these children as they were forced to play it as other forms of play that were not competitive sports were not allowed. Although I know it allowed them a break from the hardships they experienced daily at the schools, for me, my most memorable parts of play in my childhood are the times I had total control and could do what I wanted to. These children never got to experience that.
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.
The individuals interviewed in this video all share the hardships they experienced and how they came out of it with resilience.
Aiden Baker – Discusses his grandfather who was his lacrosse mentor and is a residential school survivor. He shares the difficult experiences and challenges that many Indigenous athletes face.
William Nahanee – Residential school survivor who uses boxing as a form of therapy to help cope with his past traumas.
Chief Robert Joseph – Residential school survivor who discusses the importance of playing sports while also speaking their own language which brings significance to their identity and community.
The Treadwell Family – Shares gratefulness to their ancestors who helped make playing sports the way it is today in regards to freedom for Indigenous athletes.
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”?
When Waneek Horn-Miller states that the government is “trying but still approaching Indigenous sport development in a very colonial way?” She is referring to the ongoing challenges that Indigenous sports are facing regarding how they are supported by the government. Her statement emphasizes the lack of interest and empowerment that is made for Indigenous sports and how it remains focused on colonial systems.
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.
For me, hockey is Canada. Hockey consists of many cultural symbols as well as plays a key role in the identity of our country’s values, and history. Hockey brings communities together and unites players from all different backgrounds. This photo specifically focuses on the recent win Canada had against the USA. Any win is important but this win specifically brought this country together because of the recent tensions between Canada and the US regarding the Tariffs. This showcases the significance that hockey has on people and the inclusion it brings to the country.
