Kin 306 - Physical Wellness

pre-contact

- prior to 13th century societies on both sides of the Atlantic experienced 400 years of growth and development fuelled by favourable climate conditions
- what is now called the Canadian Plains, rather than small nomadic, band level societies, were actually large sophisticated "tribally organized communities who worked communally to produce food"

virgin soil epidemic

- small pox, tuberculosis
- estimated to have as high as 70% mortality rate
- diseases europeans brought over
- Indigenous peoples didn't have the immune system to fight it off

fur trade

- extinction of animals, and a way of life
- reliance on government increased
- treaty signings
- what is the medicine chest clause in Treaty? healthcare

panopticon

- physical wellness piece
- symbol of how we don't need to gave eyes on you at the same time
- theoretical, mystical thing that has eyes on you at all times
- constantly under the watchful eye

residential schools

- "the purpose of the experiment was to see if the manual training and religious instruction would take better effect if the children were removed from their homes"

pe and sports

- the notion was that Euro-Canadian sports could move the agenda along at a faster pace
- competitive sport was see as a way to manage social, political, economic, "problem" facing the government
- "making better citizens"

physical training

- drills were designed to replace tribal allegiance with nationalism - a sense of patriotic duty
- the intro of PT was an efficient and cost-effective way to enhance health outcomes
- goal was to produce bodies that not only do what we want, but do it precisely the way we want

Indigenous athletes in sports

- despite numerous Indigenous athletes, there remains an absence of their contributions
- majority of Indigenous athletes have left their profession due to challenges with coaches, team members and trainers

Waneek Horn-Miller

- Mohawk
- gold medalist in water polo at Pan American Games, co-captain of Canada's first Olympic women's water polo team

Tom Longboat

- Onondaga
- long-distance runner and Olympic marathon champion

Alwin Morris

- Mohawk
- Olympic canoe/kayak sprint champion

Fred Saskamoose

- Cree
- NHL Chicago Blackhawks player

origins of games

- shinny ball (a Plains game) was originator of hockey
- Aztec hoop and ball game is believed to be originator of basketball
- lacrosse originated from Indigenous games of lacrosse
- ring and pin derives from traditional form of ring and pin
- lawn darts derives from variations of Indigenous games of sling ball and arrow toss

historical and cultural significance

- games played year round (snowsnake, lacrosse, doubleball, shinnyball, canoe racing)
- there were gendered games (striking the bow, hoop and arrow --> men) (double ball --> women) (hand hames --> men and women)
- there were also children's games
- games to test one's strength, compete with self, ad of endurance were often held
- betting was part of games process where observers and players would bet on who would win (sometimes settle rivalry)
- ceremony often involved in harvesting materials and preparing for events

mind and body

- sport and games were an integral part of the social fabric of a community and not only served to support motor skill development
- games also developed hunting skills

motor skill development

- large and fine motor development to support aim, strength, movement, accuracy
- sensory development (sight, sound, touch, taste)
- mental focus, alertness, strategizing, memory, observation and awareness

hunting skills

- reading patterns, body language, communication skills
- the need to learn how to "switch hands"

heart and spirit

- sport and games:
- enable the development of intuition
- enable the release of built up stress
- teach individuals how to resolve conflict (provide alternative outlets to disputes; avoid violence and settle grievances
- build self-confidence and teach humility, integrity, honesty, acceptance
- promote laughter and healthy relationships
- reinforce community values
- honour decease loved ones

indigenous women and sport

- pre-colonial contact, they were allowed to play many games
- during early colonial contact period, they were increasingly discouraged from participating in political and sporting activities (in the early 1900s were largely excluded from recreation)
- residential school reinforced this shift where males were largely allowed to play sports, yet girls had little access to recreation and were often forbidden to participate in sports

indigenous sport for life

- adopted to reflect the different traditional teachings and interpretations from the many nations throughout Canada
- the Indigenous Long-term Participant Development Pathway is a holistic model
- medicine wheel shows the interdependence of all facets of life
- harmony and balance in all four directions

holistic model (indigenous sport for life)

- represents and promotes the four main aspects of each person in their development as participants and athletes
- physical, cultural, mental, spiritual
- all parts of the circle are essential to the whole
- the general aim is to produce overall active Indigenous people who also have the opportunity to reconnect with their culture-

physical (holistic model)

- engaging in stage-development and appropriate training for demands of sport, and are further able to develop and maintain optimum health
- emphasizes the importance of sport-specific, endurance, strength, speed and flexibility to meet the physical demands and requirements of individuals
- ultimate goal is to be active for life

cultural (holistic model)

- sport can be a powerful connector to culture and to explore teachings and practices
- true for individuals who may not know their own culture which is why protocols and processes which honour cultural and traditional ways of being and doing are important in host communities
- they encourage these ways and processes to ensure respect is shown

mental (holistic model)

- helps individuals learn to reason, analyze, and apply information, and to step back from emotions instead of reacting immediately
- the need for mental development
- mental rehearsal, strategy, tactics, and learning to focus are some of the areas in which an athlete needs to develop skills

spiritual (holistic model)

- all humans are spiritual beings; spiritually affects how you choose to live; it affects why and how you participate in sport