The main character of this novel, Saul Indian Horse, lived the first seven years of his life peacefully an traditionally, in Winnipeg Lake, Manitoba. That change in 1960 during the “1960 Scoop” when the RCMP took his brother, Ben and sister, Rachel to St. Jerome’s Saul witnessed suicide, sexual abuse (even his own) and extreme cruelty by the nuns and priests towards the children. Playing hockey was his only joy. Hockey was Saul’s salvation in that he “no longer felt afraid or lonely” and “was connected to something bigger than himself” (62). At first, playing “silent hockey in the dormitory”, Saul thought “my salvation is coming through wood (hockey stick) and rubber (puck) and ice (rink) and the dream of a game” (62). Playing hockey he “became a different creature”; he released himself to the mystery of the ice(65). Just as his Gookum taught him to “release himself to the mystery of life” he became “Saul the Indian Horse, Ojibway hockey player” (86). Hockey saved Saul from thinking of St. Jerome’s sexual abuse (especially his own), cruelty, suicide, pain, torture and death. His mind, body and soul were full of turning himself into a great hockey player, at St. Jerome’s Residential School. St. Jerome’s ( St. Germs to the students) also created fear in Saul and all the other students their but playing …show more content…
Hockey “activated his vision”(115); it allowed him to see beyond the moment. “That vision was the gift that he received from Shabogeesick”(57), Saul’s Ojibway great grandfather. That same vision ability connected Saul with his spiritual family, including his grandmother, his dead brother and his great grandfather. When “the game could no longer protect him”(200) from the ugly things of St. Jerome’s and the mourning he needed to do, that vision gift “let him mourn”(204) and Saul learned “the only one i could take care of was
“Mr. Hockey” himself, also known as Gordie Howe, was arguably one of the greatest hockey players of all time. From growing up in the small town of Floral, Saskatchewan, to making his way to become an NHL Hockey Hall of Fame player, Howe has demonstrated a commitment to hockey throughout his entire life. He has displayed qualities during his career that will have an impact on many generations of Canadians to come. First of all, Howe had a successful career in hockey that inspires Canadian hockey players today. Secondly, Gordie was committed to hockey, as he continuously displayed his dedication to the game throughout his career.
In Shema Khan’s essay, “I was a Teenage Hijabi Hockey Player”, Khan exposes us to her relationship with the game of hockey. She provides readers with relatable memories, as both a fan and a player, and punctuates her stories with the view from a Muslim woman’s perspective. Khan excitedly reminisces about some of her earliest encounters with the game, describing the electric nature of hockey in 1970’s Montreal. Her love of the game continued into her post-secondary schooling; she even spearheading the formation of a women’s house league at Harvard. Throughout her recollections, Khan expresses her thrill at successfully encouraging others to join her on the ice, no matter their skill level, so that they too could experience the joy of the
Through the Medicine Wheel, we are reminded of our lifelong journey that is continuous upon birth and living through youth, adulthood and senior years. In Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, the protagonist Saul experiences many obstacles which shape and develop his character. Saul’s life can be divided into more than the four stages of life to better understand his journey. Saul’s Life with His Family The time Saul was able to spend with his family was very short due to the effects of the white men.
The detrimental and unfair categorization of people by race, gender and more, commonly known as discrimination, affects many in society both mentally and emotionally. Many instances of this act of hatred occurred among Aboriginal and Native Canadians in the 20th century. However, for a little Native Indian boy stepping onto the rink, this is the norm that surrounds him. Saul Indian Horse, in Richard Wagamese’s “Indian Horse”, faces discrimination head on, where his strengths for hockey are limited by the racial discrimination from the surrounding white ethnicity. Consequently, this racism draws him into a mentally unstable state, where he suffers heavy consequences.
Saul’s life at St.Jerome 's was hell, everywhere he looked there was agony and heartbreak. “We lived under constant threat. If it wasn’t the direct physical threat of beatings, the Iron Sisters or vanishing, it was the dire threat if purgatory, hell…” Page 80. As a result hockey became an escape for Saul, something so pure that helped Saul cope with the nightmare his life became.
ALL THE WAY; My Life on Ice “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” (Albert Einstein). Jordin Tootoo is recognized nationwide as an idol due to his perseverance through all of the of the horrible and difficult circumstances that he was faced with. Tootoo’s challenges are a great example of the quote by Albert Einstein, this is because he continues to find the opportunity in difficult situations that he is faced with. When his brother tragically passed, Jordin was thrown into a traumatizing situation that largely affected his life. Due to his brother’s passing, Tootoo started abusing alcohol, which ultimately led him through a dark path which he overcame by participating in the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.
“Bruises fade, but the pain lasts forever” (Christina Kelly). This compelling quote depicts the horrifying side effects of abuse. In the gripping novel titled “Indian Horse,” author Richard Wagamese successfully informs readers about the severely unfair conditions in which the Native Indians were treated. Through Saul’s terrifying experiences in the Residential school and hockey tournaments, readers can effectively identify the purpose of the novel – treating someone through any kind of abuse can leave them with long lasting pain, and memories that will haunt them forever. There were numerous incidents at the residential school regarding physical abuse, and after effects that followed.
It is like a breath of fresh air, in contrast to the somber and heavier sections mentioned previously. It”s a noteworthy part of the story because it drives the plot forward, as the author displays Saul’s newly found passion for hockey, as well as his brotherly bond with his teammates. In the text, the reader is introduced to concepts such as laughter, expression and freedom. This demonstrates that, in the midst of the most gruelling and sorrowful times at the residential school, Saul has finally found a safe haven. The spirit of the game is an excellent outlet to distract him from the everyday upheaval and abuse.
“I remember that game, because it was the most excited I have ever seen anybody get for a hockey game,” says Tom Viehman, a firsthand witness to the 1980 US Olympic team beating the unbeatable Soviet Union on the world stage of the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. “Nobody thought that these college kids would even stand a chance against any team, much less the best team in the world.” They were just a bunch of kids in their early 20s, that had played against each other before in tournaments and exhibitions in the NCAA. There was some bad blood between a few players in the origins of the team, like forward Rob McClanahan and defenseman Jack O’Callahan got into a scrum on the ice, based on a college rivalry between the University Of Minnesota and Boston University in the national semifinal on March 26, 1976. Other than that, the team spent a whole lot of time together, and became close friends.
Throughout my life I have come from and created a few identities for myself. Perhaps, the most dominant identities that have been apart of my life are being an athlete and being a family orientated man. In this paper I will write about how my identities have shaped my life. First off I believe my biggest identity is being an athlete.
It all began in Colorado Springs, 1979 as Herb Brooks interviewed with the Unites States Olympic Committee of Hockey. In an era were the Cold War is going on and the Soviet Union is dominating the sport of hockey, Herb walks into the meeting demanding changes in the way the US hockey team prepares and trains. He shares his philosophy
Indian Horse: The Racism that destroys, but creates Saul Hockey is a national sport that unites one another. From the Montreal Canadiens to the Vancouver Canucks, children and adults find excitement in the game. In the novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, Saul Indian Horse encounters racism in his hockey career and with society. Saul attempts to bear the stereotypes set on him, which destroys him and thus, Saul struggles in attempt to reconcile mentally, physically and spiritually.
People encounter many obstacles in their lifetimes, obstacles that are too arduous to overcome by themselves. They must find a way to get through these difficulties, and there is always something, or someone, that helps keep them sane through these hard hours. To Saul Indian Horse, the main character of Richard Wagamese’s novel Indian Horse, that obstacle is St. Jerome’s Residential School and the very element that kept him sane was hockey. In the residential school, Saul is abused both mentally and physically, witnessing the continued deaths of his Indian classmates. Fortunately, Saul was able to keep himself sane through hockey.
A brief analysis of MacGregor’s justification provides a better understanding of the techniques and devices that he employs. Much of MacGreogor’s argument revolves around the allusion to, and comparisons of, various examples of hockey fathers and sons. He discusses Martin McSorley, who publicly greeted his father with a kiss, and Brett Hull, who was inspired by his father Bobby Hull. Also, MacGregor responds to various theorists who complain about the degradations of family values, comparing Robert Blys’ “ritual space” to hockey dressing rooms, and contrasting ‘fathers who lose their sons five minutes after birth” with fathers who attend group sessions. [Unfortunately most of MacGregor’s responses are irrelevant or unsatisfactory.]
This is a quote from Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest players to have ever played hockey. This quote has several different meanings to it; it can be interpreted in a literal sense and it can also be interpreted figuratively. The literal interpretation of this quote is how he plays hockey and it’s also a tip on how to become a skillful hockey player. If a player were to skate directly to the puck, they would miss since the puck would be moving away from them.