Introduction
This essay critically examines the portrayal of lacrosse as a symbol of Canadian nationalism through the analysis of a primary source, “Lacrosse Holds a Firm Place as Canada’s National Game,” published in The Globe on April 26, 1927. Lacrosse, often heralded as Canada’s national sport, occupies a unique position in the country’s sporting history, reflecting broader social, cultural, and political dynamics. This analysis seeks to uncover the article’s overt promotion of lacrosse as a unifying national emblem while critiquing its marginalization of the sport’s Indigenous origins. Furthermore, it explores the latent anxieties surrounding the decline of lacrosse due to professionalism and continentalism—cultural influences that threatened its status in the early 20th century. By situating the source within its historical context, this essay highlights how media narratives shaped public perceptions of sport and identity, and at whose expense such narratives were constructed. The discussion is structured into three main sections: the portrayal of lacrosse as a nationalist symbol, the marginalization of Indigenous contributions, and the challenges posed by professionalism and continentalism. The essay concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of these findings for the study of Canadian sport history.
Lacrosse as a Nationalist Symbol
The 1927 article in The Globe emphatically positions lacrosse as a cornerstone of Canadian identity, repeatedly referring to it as “Canada’s national game” (The Globe, 1927). Published by one of the most influential newspapers of its time, The Globe wielded significant power in shaping public discourse on matters of culture and politics, reaching a broad readership across the nation. The anonymity of the author, while not uncommon for newspaper pieces of the era, lends an air of objective authority to the piece, amplifying its persuasive impact. The timing of the article is also noteworthy, coming in the post-World War I era when Canada sought to assert a distinct identity independent of British imperial influence (Morrow and Wamsley, 2013). Lacrosse, in this context, became a cultural artifact through which Canadians could express national pride and unity.
The article emphasizes the sport’s integration into public schools and the importance of youth participation as a means of ensuring its future. It suggests that lacrosse could foster discipline and civic values, aligning with contemporary ideals of sport as a tool for social betterment (Hall, 2016). As noted by historians, lacrosse was believed to keep “youth off the streets” and mould “better Canadians” through physical activity and teamwork (Morrow and Wamsley, 2013). This narrative reflects a broader shift in Canadian society, from a fragmented post-colonial identity to one that increasingly clung to symbols like lacrosse to affirm a cohesive national character. The article’s title, with its assertive tone, appears almost as a rallying cry, designed to rekindle public interest in a sport facing declining popularity. Therefore, The Globe not only reinforces lacrosse’s cultural dominance but also strategically deploys it to reassure readers of its enduring national significance amidst shifting cultural landscapes.
Marginalization of Indigenous Origins
Despite positioning lacrosse as a quintessentially Canadian sport, the 1927 article glosses over its deep-rooted Indigenous origins, reflecting a broader pattern of cultural appropriation in Canadian sport history. The piece briefly acknowledges that lacrosse predates European settlement and was played by Indigenous peoples, who referred to it as “baggataway” before French settlers dubbed it “La Crosse” (The Globe, 1927). However, it swiftly pivots to a Eurocentric narrative, crediting “the white man” with innovations such as the introduction of a goal net, framing these changes as improvements rather than adaptations of an existing cultural practice (The Globe, 1927). This rhetoric starkly illustrates the settler-colonial mindset prevalent at the time, which sought to erase or diminish Indigenous contributions while repackaging their cultural practices as symbols of settler identity (Hall, 2016).
Such framing is not merely a passive omission but an active reinforcement of colonial narratives that marginalized Indigenous peoples in the construction of Canadian national identity. As scholars have argued, the appropriation of lacrosse stripped it of its spiritual and communal significance in Indigenous cultures, where it often served as a means of conflict resolution and community bonding (Downey, 2018). Instead, it was reshaped into a competitive sport aligned with European values of individualism and physical prowess. By presenting lacrosse as a settler achievement, The Globe article perpetuates a historical erasure that undermines the sport’s true origins. This critical oversight reveals a troubling dimension of Canadian sport history: the use of Indigenous cultural elements to bolster national pride at the expense of acknowledging their foundational role. Thus, while lacrosse functions as a nationalist vehicle in the article, it does so by sidelining the very communities from which it emerged.
Challenges of Professionalism and Continentalism
By 1927, lacrosse’s status as Canada’s national sport faced significant challenges, not least due to the rise of professionalism and the cultural influence of continentalism. The emergence of professional leagues clashed with traditional ideals of amateurism, which emphasized sportsmanship and recreation over financial gain or competitive success (Morrow and Wamsley, 2013). The Globe article’s frequent references to lacrosse’s inclusion in the 1928 Olympic program underscore this shift toward organized, competitive sport (The Globe, 1927). However, the assertion that lacrosse “holds a firm place” as Canada’s national game appears somewhat discordant when juxtaposed with the broader social context of professionalism (The Globe, 1927). Indeed, the push for professional structures often prioritized victory over the communal and moral benefits historically associated with the sport, creating tension among traditionalists who viewed such changes as a betrayal of its ethos.
Equally pressing was the external threat of continentalism, driven by the growing influence of American sporting culture. The rise of sports like baseball, with their emphasis on professional leagues and commercial appeal, posed a direct challenge to lacrosse’s prominence in Canada (Howell, 2001). This cultural encroachment reflected broader anxieties about American dominance in various spheres of Canadian life, from economics to popular culture. The Globe article, however, adopts a defiant tone, claiming that “today lacrosse is stronger than it ever was before” (The Globe, 1927). Such language suggests an attempt to mask the sport’s vulnerabilities by projecting an image of resilience and relevance. Furthermore, references to the Olympics indicate a strategic effort to elevate lacrosse on an international stage, potentially countering the appeal of American sports by affirming its global legitimacy. This tension highlights a critical juncture in Canadian sport history, where national identity grappled with external influences. The article, therefore, emerges as a defensive stance, advocating for a sport that symbolized a unique Canadian identity in the face of American cultural encroachment.
Broader Implications for Canadian Sport History
The analysis of this primary source offers valuable insights into the role of media in shaping narratives of sport and identity in early 20th-century Canada. The Globe article serves as a historical artifact, capturing the ideological struggles of a nation in transition. It illustrates how sport, far from being mere recreation, functioned as a battleground for cultural and political forces, reflecting anxieties about national unity, colonial legacies, and global influences (Howell, 2001). Preserving such sources, accessible through archival platforms like Western Libraries and ProQuest, allows historians to critically assess the societal dynamics that shaped sport participation and public discourse at the time.
Moreover, the article’s treatment of lacrosse underscores the complexities of national identity construction. While it promotes unity through sport, it simultaneously perpetuates exclusionary narratives by marginalizing Indigenous contributions. This duality invites a deeper reflection on how Canadian sport history is narrated and whose voices are amplified or silenced in the process (Downey, 2018). By critically engaging with primary sources like this one, scholars can uncover the multifaceted ways in which sport reflects and influences broader social structures. Ultimately, this analysis reveals that lacrosse was not just a game but a contested space where issues of identity, power, and cultural heritage intersected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1927 Globe article, “Lacrosse Holds a Firm Place as Canada’s National Game,” serves as a critical primary source that encapsulates the ideological struggles shaping Canadian sport during the early 20th century. It positions lacrosse as a unifying symbol of national identity while revealing underlying anxieties about its declining status amid the rise of professionalism and continentalism. Simultaneously, the article’s Eurocentric framing of lacrosse highlights a troubling dimension of Canadian sport history, where Indigenous origins are marginalized to bolster settler narratives. This primary source, therefore, offers a snapshot of a sport in transition, clinging to its cultural significance at a moment of profound social and cultural stress. The analysis underscores the complex interplay between sport and identity, demonstrating how national narratives are constructed often at the expense of marginalized communities. For students of Canadian sport history, this case study serves as a reminder of the importance of critically engaging with primary sources to uncover the nuanced forces that have shaped the nation’s past. Further research into similar archival materials could provide additional insights into how sport continues to reflect and influence Canadian cultural identity.
References
- Downey, A. (2018) The Creator’s Game: Lacrosse, Identity, and Indigenous Nationhood. UBC Press.
- Hall, M. A. (2016) The Girl and the Game: A History of Women’s Sport in Canada. University of Toronto Press.
- Howell, C. D. (2001) Blood, Sweat, and Cheers: Sport and the Making of Modern Canada. University of Toronto Press.
- Morrow, D. and Wamsley, K. B. (2013) Sport in Canada: A History. Oxford University Press.
- The Globe (1927) Lacrosse Holds a Firm Place as Canada’s National Game. The Globe, April 26, 1927. [Archival material accessed via Western Libraries and ProQuest].
[Word Count: 1523, including references]
