On March 3, 1875, in Montreal, the first modern game of hockey took place. Since then, the sport’s popularity has grown, and it is now played and watched by millions globally. Jason Blake’s article “Hockey as a Symbol of Nationhood” examines the role of hockey in Canada and in Canadian identity. Using analysis points such as historical context, cultural significance and political implications, Blake argues that hockey is deeply ingrained in Canadian culture and is a symbol of the country's identity. Although Blake provides a thorough exploration of the significance of hockey in Canada, his analysis is lacking a more critical examination of the sport's role in Canadian society.
Hockey’s earliest roots can be found in indigenous games, it was
In Shema Khan’s essay, “I was a Teenage Hijabi Hockey Player”, Khan exposes us to her relationship with the game of hockey. She provides readers with relatable memories, as both a fan and a player, and punctuates her stories with the view from a Muslim woman’s perspective. Khan excitedly reminisces about some of her earliest encounters with the game, describing the electric nature of hockey in 1970’s Montreal. Her love of the game continued into her post-secondary schooling; she even spearheading the formation of a women’s house league at Harvard. Throughout her recollections, Khan expresses her thrill at successfully encouraging others to join her on the ice, no matter their skill level, so that they too could experience the joy of the
In ”Resolution and Canadian Iconography: The ’I-Canuck’ Photograph”, Tracy Whalen (2010), an associate professor, argues two things about Canadians. When it comes to ”The Iconic Image”, Canadians lack the resolve to determine what consist an iconic image and to grasp a picture visual resolution (p.446). According to Whalen (2010), the reason Canadians do not have a clear understanding ”of an iconic image goes back to the Canada’s history of citizenship” and because ”iconic images are defined as domestic productions of model citizenship, [which] Canadians have not had a long time develop these (p.454)”. Whalen (2010) continues, when Canadians were asked what is an iconic image, Canadians’ primary thought is often the image of Pierre Elliot Trudeau
Lastly, his description of the sport pictures how the relationship between hockey reaches back to where it was at
Through the pages of history, Canada’s identity emerges derivative of courage and sacrifice, shaped by pivotal events that have left an indelible mark on the nation’s narrative. The two World Wars, World War One (WWI) and World War Two (WWII) are two paradigms of significant events that formed Canada. Without them, Canada would not be the nation it is today. Ultimately, WWI and WWII sparked massive change within Canada, specifically in the areas of technological and innovative advancement, international and domestic recognition, and women’s rights, diversity, and acceptance. To begin, both World Wars fostered great advancement.
Moreover, its importance is not limited to star athletes on the ice; but rather, hockey is a sign of escape from mundane work or school days. Hockey is also a unifier and a representation of Canadian climate. In Canada, hockey is perseverance, entertainment, and a way of
This quote exemplifies how hockey offers Saul an escape from the challenges he faces, allowing him to experience a redemptive sense of freedom and fulfillment. Another quote that emphasizes hockey's role in Saul's redemption is, "Hockey became my way of life, my pathway, my expression" (Saul, Wagamese, p. 232). This quote highlights the transformative nature of hockey in Saul's life, providing him with a means of reclaiming his identity and finding purpose. In a secondary source, it is explained how Saul finds true happiness and joy when he is playing hockey. Through his journey in hockey, Saul not only defies societal expectations but also finds redemption by embracing his passion and unleashing his full
Hockey, maple syrup, and a red leaf. At first glance these things might not see like they have much in common, yet in a very stereotypical fashion these all make up what many consider to be the the Canadian identity. Noted as having an influx of around 300,000 new immigrants each year, stemming from all different parts of the world, bringing in new cultures and identities, is there really a set Canadian Identity? Identity is what sets one apart from the rest rest of the world, in terms of nationalism it refers to the unique culture, characteristics and condition of being a citizen. Beginning from the arrival of Paleo-Indians thousands of years ago, to the colonization by the Europeans, Canada was born from the idea immigration and the experience of new cultures.
Saul’s life at St.Jerome 's was hell, everywhere he looked there was agony and heartbreak. “We lived under constant threat. If it wasn’t the direct physical threat of beatings, the Iron Sisters or vanishing, it was the dire threat if purgatory, hell…” Page 80. As a result hockey became an escape for Saul, something so pure that helped Saul cope with the nightmare his life became.
This period was very crucial to First Nations because they had to connect together as a family. This is because it was also a time period when the Europeans tried to convert First Nations into Christianity with Residential Schools. Finally, Lacrosse honours the players themselves and honours their gods. These
Hockey is one of the most important parts for Saul's traumatizing story. It is introduced to him by a priest he met at a residential school, which is ironic as the priests didn't usually bring any good for indigenous kids. He passionately practices the sport using literal feces as equipment which is evidence of his passion. It teaches him valuable life lessons throughout the novel and helps him find a healthy output. Hockey plays a significant role in Saul's story as it serves as a source of hope, freedom and resilience.
Given in the graph is the information about the percentage of people living in Canada participating in the ten most popular sports in 1998 and 2005. It becomes immediately obvious that ice hockey and gofl were all the rage in these years. Overall, there was a decrease in the participation rates in various types of sports during the period given. As can be seen clearly, in 1998, gofl was the most common sport in Canada, which had the highest participation rates with just 22 %, followed by ice hockey with over 18%.
Saul states, “In the spirit of hockey I believed I had found community, a shelter and a heaven from everything bleak and ugly in the world” (Wagamese 90). Thus, hockey serves as an escape route for all the emotional turmoil that Saul has gone through, and he uses the hockey spirit as a tool to facilitate his healing
As more women begin to exercise hockey from the 70’s and onwards, these women had to obtain facilities from the community, but it wasn’t easily granted to them. In Williams, Women’s Hockey: A Heated Debate describes the issues experienced by a female hockey player by the name of Blainey. Blainey depicts that, comparing to her brother, whom also plays hockey, the girl’s team had restricted and inconvenient times and the locations provided for them to practise were set far out of their community. Furthermore, “the quality” of their resources was not effective to succeed in this sport.
The first factor I attribute my success to is my deep involvement in sports. My choice to forfeit much of my time to pursuits in field hockey keep me fit and most importantly balanced. I also am very focused on the future; I set lofty goals and I understand the difficulty that may impede me due to systematic barriers based on gender etc, but instead of being discouraged I work even harder to work toward their accomplishment. Finally my parents are supportive in my pursuits even if they disagree with my opinions, which is very helpful; they support my goals and push me to push
When lacrosse was born Lacrosse is the oldest known sport in North America. It was played in Indian tribes and only the most fierce players played the game. The game was made to settle arguments or for land. The fields and goals where miles apart and the Indians focused more on disabling as many players as the could before scoring a goal. History History American Indian peoples in North American played as the early form of lacrosse long before the European.