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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 that stood out to me was when the author talked about the deep pain caused by being separated from family. It made me feel sad and thoughtful. I realized how important it is to listen to these stories with respect. The chapter helped me understand the impact of the past. I felt a strong sense of care and responsibility to learn more.
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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).
| Reconciliation – it means rebuilding a respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It starts by learning the truth about the harm done in the past, like the residential school system. It also means taking real action to fix the damage and build trust. Reconciliation is not something that happens quickly, it takes time, understanding, and a willingness to listen. It is about healing together and making sure these mistakes are not repeated.
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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)
| This happens when settlers take parts of Indigenous culture, like dances or games, and use them for their own purposes. They may change these practices and pretend they are theirs, instead of respecting where they came from. It’s a way to make settlers feel like they belong to the land, while ignoring the real history and people.
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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.
| Q-When residential staff took photos, what impression did they try to create?
Ans- When residential staff took photos, they tried to create the impression that the schools were safe, happy, and well-run places. The photos often showed clean uniforms, children playing sports, and orderly activities. These images hid the truth of the harsh conditions, strict rules, and cultural harm happening in the schools. They were used to make the public believe everything was fine, while the real stories of pain and loss were not shown. This helped support the colonial narrative and cover up the damage being done to Indigenous children and their communities.
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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.
| In the video, sports are described as medicine in many powerful ways. For Indigenous individuals, especially survivors of residential schools, sports provide healing by helping them cope with trauma and painful memories. They also serve as a source of cultural pride, connecting players to their ancestors and traditions, like lacrosse being a sacred gift from the Creator. Sports act as a mental escape, offering relief from stress and hardship, while also honoring family legacies, as seen with Aiden Baker following in his grandfather’s footsteps. They strengthen communities by bringing people together, and in the past, they even allowed players to secretly speak their native languages during games. For young athletes today, sports build confidence, purpose, and opportunities, such as scholarships. Finally, sports play a role in reconciliation, fostering unity and sharing Indigenous culture with others. Overall, sports heal not just the body but also the mind, heart, and spirit.
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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”?
Waneek Horn-Miller means that even though the government is trying to help Indigenous sport programs, they are still doing it in a way that follows old colonial ideas. Instead of letting Indigenous people lead and shape their own sports in their own way, the government often uses rules and ideas from non-Indigenous systems. This can leave out traditional games and values that are important to Indigenous communities. She believes that true support means giving Indigenous people the power to decide what sport looks like for them. |
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.
| One strong cultural symbol in Canadian hockey is the image of kids playing on a frozen pond. It represents freedom, tradition, and a deep connection to winter and the land. This scene is often shown in commercials, films, and stories about Canadian identity. It makes hockey feel like more than just a sport, it becomes part of what it means to be Canadian.
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Section Three: Decolonization
Please see the major assignment for this half of the term in the final section of this chapter.
