SUKHPREET KAUR
5/4/23
PSK4U UNIT 1 - ASSESSMENT
1. What observations can you make?
- It can be observed that the indigenous communities have started their own games,
considering they wanted to connect to something they have grown up with. The
indigenous community is originally labelled as outcasts. Hosting their games and
coming together has created an opportunity for them to break boundaries and
stereotypes.
The various games hosted include the artic winter games held at Yellowknife, the
Labrador winter games held at Newfoundland and the North American indigenous
games held in Regina.
The North American Indigenous games are held every 3 years. Over 5000 athletes
participate in these games from all over Canada. The Indigenous youth had a high
rate of suicides, students dropping out of school and overall leading to poor health
statistics. These games have a huge impact on the youth as it brings out positivity
and oneness.
The arctic winter games have over 1900 athletes participating from across Canada.
These games can include unique games like Slap the Seal, kneel jump, snow snake
and the Airplane.
The Labrador winter games, also known as the Labrathon. Over 350 athletes
participate. Games and competitions are open to everyone and are welcomed
warmly. Not all athletes train for the games. Some of the games include dog team
races, northern games and trappers' skills that help them stay alive.
2.
What do you observe about the overall spirit of the games and from those
interviewed?
- It is evident that the youths participating are tremendously showing their efforts and
dedication towards the games. The games give them a sense of pride and make
them feel humble toward their community, building a healthy and safe community
for them.
This young generation of the indigenous community is setting goals and creating an
example for the upcoming generations. This is a good practice to motivate more and
more people to actively join and grow.
They are not competing heavily, instead, they are enjoying being able to participate
in something that holds value. Most of them don’t even train before these games
and just naturally ease into it.
The elderly can also be seen participating wholeheartedly as these games did not
exist in their youth. All of the games can be seen with people from every age group.
SUKHPREET KAUR
5/4/23
PSK4U UNIT 1 - ASSESSMENT
3. What appears to be the general mindset of those participating with respect to the spirit
of the games and competition?
- The participants in these games feel proud and are given an opportunity to relate to
one another that are just like them. They are able to play games that are native to
them and hold a deeper meaning, rather than competing in the Olympics.
Each and every individual is able to represent themselves and their ancestors
through these games. It is way more to competition to them, it has become an
important way of preserving and promoting the traditions, customs, and practices of
these communities.
The people are given opportunities to relate and share their stories with different
tribes and network throughout the times of the games. They share a sense of
friendship and solidarity.
These games are not just about winning or competition, it is about the connection to
one's culture and heritage that forms the foundation for the athletes’ participation.
4.
How would you compare these observations with those of individuals competing in the
Olympics, in games/sport in your community and professional sport?
- The indigenous games are not well known amongst outsiders. This causes financial
issues to be able to successfully run the whole program.
Committee members are well aware that other professional sports and games
receive a larger number of fanbase that allows various ways to get funds for those
sports. Many of the ways include selling tickets and merch for the teams and
country. Various companies spend billions on advertising themselves by supporting
or being involved in the teams.
On the other hand, games run by indigenous communities are usually labelled or
seen as outcasts. They don’t have a huge fanbase or people willing to spend money
on tickets. The Indigenous people believe in simply proving their presence and
supporting them.
Sports and games like the Olympics have participants that are competing for success
and to build themselves as a brand. Some of them have also considered it their
profession to be representing their countries.
The competitiveness in the Olympics or National sports is very high, they train hard
and prepare for years to play for them. Various games also categorize their
participants by age or weight. While the games within the indigenous community
are simply to support one another and keep their culture alive, there are no strict
rules on dividing by age or training hard for a long period of time.