Canadian Identity

Term Paper # 99182

Canadian Studies > History, Culture
Sport

Canadian Identity

This paper explores how ice hockey represents Canada's national identity.

1,140 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that despite the notion of a national identity being threatened by both globalization and the apparent segmentation of Canada into smallish, disparate elements, it is evident that a Canadian culture still exists. The paper examines how ice hockey is typically associated by both Canadians and foreigners with Canada, the nation credited as its birthplace. The paper discusses how Canadians play hockey and enjoy watching it and it is also linked with society in terms of sport, relaxation, literature and fiction.

From the Paper:

"The concept of a common national interest and Canadian identity in relation to any field is a tricky one in this current environment of thriving globalization. However, one can identity key national themes upon examining observers' perceptions of a national climate, for example the Canadian state. Many other countries identify Canada as being a country that is not only the home of maple syrup and the bearer of the red leafed flag, but the home of ice hockey, one of the globe's most popular and growing sports. This is despite the notion of a national identity being threatened by both globalization and the apparent segmentation of Canada into smallish, disparate elements, as evidence by the distinctiveness of Quebec society."

Sample of Sources Used:

Baker, Chris & Jedwab, Jack. Patriotism and Canadian Identity. May 26, 2003. Date accessed: 2 August, 2006. Available: < http://www.acs-aec.ca/Polls/Poll40.pdf>
Beardsley, Doug (Ed.). Our Game: An All-Star Collection of Hockey Fiction. Vancouver: Raincoast Books, 1997.
Gruneau, Richard and Whitson, David. Hockey Night in Canada: Sport, Identities and Cultural Politics. Toronto: Garamond Press, 1993.
Williams, Megan K. & Etue, Elizabeth. On The Edge: Women Making Hockey History. Toronto: Second Story Press, 1996.