Decolonizing Sport

Decolonizing Sport explores how sport has been used by colonizers to dispossess Indigenous Peoples of land and culture,and how Indigenous Peoples have used sport to decolonize. The book showcases the two sharp edges of sport in the history of colonialism,including Indigenous mascots and team names,hockey at residential schools,and lacrosse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2024
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

Decolonizing Sport delves into the captivating narratives of how sport has been used as a tool for colonization and how Indigenous Peoples have harnessed the power of sport to reclaim their identities and dismantle colonial structures. Spanning diverse lands such as Turtle Island, the United States, Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Kenya, the authors vividly showcase the dualistic nature of sport in the history of colonialism. Colonizers exploited sport, both their own recreational pursuits and the Indigenous activities they appropriated, as part of their relentless drive to dispossess land and culture. Examples such as Indigenous mascots and team names, the use of hockey at residential schools, and the prevalence of lacrosse illustrate the oppressive force of sport used to subjugate Indigenous communities.

However, it is important to recognize that Indigenous Peoples have also used sport as a means of resistance and liberation. By playing their own games and adopting the sports of the colonizers, including hockey, horse racing, and fishing, Indigenous communities have challenged and subverted the rules of colonial sport. This innovative collection sets itself apart from recent publications in the field of sport, focusing specifically on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, sport, and decolonization. It also encourages readers to envision a new and transformative path forward. Through their compelling stories and insightful analysis, the authors of Decolonizing Sport offer a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex interplay between sport, colonization, and Indigenous resistance.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773636344