Imagining a Canadian Identity through Sport: A Historical Interpretation of Lacrosse and Hockey

• Published in: Journal of American Folklore
• Main Author: Robidoux, Michael A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Illinois Press 2002
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4129220; https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaf/article-pdf/115/456/209/1889939/4129220.pdf

Abstract Sport in Canada during the late 19th century was intended to promote physical excellence, emotional restraint, fair play, and discipline; yet these ideological principles were consistently undermined by the manner in which Canadians played the game of hockey. This article explores the genesis of violence in hockey by focusing on its vernacular origins and discusses the relevance of violence as an expression of Canadian national identity in terms of First Nations and French Canadian expressions of sport.