JORDIN TOOTOO: HOCKEY NIGHT IN YV Introduction

Jordin Tootoo is a remarkable young country. It was particularly poignant Focus Canadian who may become the first that Jordin Tootoo’s brother took his This News in Re- to play professional hockey in the own life just when it appeared that his view story focuses on a young man NHL. He hails from , a dreams of breaking into professional from Nunavut small community in Nunavut, ’s hockey were coming true. For Jordin, named Jordin newest territory. Tootoo has been Terrence’s tragic death makes him even Tootoo, who is honing his skills on the ice since he was more determined to persevere and to poised to make eight years old. He is considered by reach his of playing in the NHL. history as the first many hockey experts to possess all the In January 2003, Jordin Tootoo made Inuit to play hockey in the NHL. It also skills and requirements necessary for a hockey history when he took to the ice examines the successful professional career. Tootoo as a member of Canada’s team in the special importance plays an exciting, fast, and aggressive world junior hockey championships in of Canada’s na- style of hockey. He is not afraid to go Halifax. Wearing his brother’s tional game in this after the puck and risk taking penalties on his jersey, Tootoo electrified fans remote northern part of the country in order to score goals. Blair Mackasey, with his gritty, aggressive style of and why it has such a scout with the Canadian Hockey playing. He made an outstanding contri- a strong following Association, notes that advancing in the bution to Canada’s effort in the games. among its Aborigi- tough, competitive world of profes- He has been signed with the Nashville nal inhabitants. sional hockey is hard enough for any- Predators, one of the NHL’s newest one, but that it poses a special challenge expansion teams, and is waiting for his YV Sections for young Inuit players like Tootoo. chance to show what he can do at that marked with this Facilities are few and far between in the level of play. symbol indicate remote northern parts of Canada. When Jordin Tootoo’s career so far exem- content suitable for they come far from their homes to play plifies both the challenges and the younger viewers. in the south, young Aboriginal players inspiration that hockey represents for face considerable cultural difficulties in Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. They are adapting to a very different way of life. among the most passionate fans of the Further Research The fact that Jordin Tootoo appears to game, and follow it avidly. But to date, The Web site have overcome these barriers is all the there have been very few Aboriginal is at www.nashville more remarkable when one considers players in the NHL with whom young predators.com. For the major personal tragedy he experi- people can identify. People in the Far information about enced in 2002. In the summer of that North will go to great lengths to find Aboriginal hockey, year, his brother Terrence, who was the money and resources that will visit www.native also a rising hockey star of some prom- enable their youth to gain expertise in hockey.com. You might also consider ise, committed suicide after struggling hockey. The fact that Jordin Tootoo has watching the with serious problems of depression and defied the odds and appears ready to Aboriginal People substance abuse. Suicide among Ab- become the first Inuit player in the NHL Television Network original youth in Canada is, unfortu- gives them hope that they may be able (APTN) for cover- nately, quite common. It represents a to make a greater contribution to age of Aboriginal hockey matches. social problem of major proportions in Canada’s national game. Nunavut and other northern areas of the

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 46 To Consider Some past Aborigi- nal hockey stars 1. Why is Jordin Tootoo such a remarkable young hockey player? include George Armstrong (Mohawk) of the Maple Leafs and Bryan Trottier (Métis) .

2. Why do young Aboriginal face special difficulties in pursu- ing careers in professional hockey?

3. In what ways does Jordin Tootoo exemplify the challenges facing Aboriginal competitors in hockey or sports in general in Canada?

4. What do you think could be done to make access to hockey facilities more available to young people in remote northern regions of Canada?

5. What advantages might players from the Far North have when it comes to mastering the skills of hockey?

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 47 JORDIN TOOTOO: HOCKEY NIGHT IN NUNAVUT YV Viewing Activity

A. Viewing for Information Along with a profile of rising Watch the video, and after doing so, answer the following questions: Inuit hockey star Jordin Tootoo, this 1. a) From what part of Canada does Jordin Tootoo come? video provides some important insights into the b) How large is this region? role that Canada’s national game plays in the lives of 2. Use three words to describe Jordin Tootoo’s style of playing hockey. Aboriginal inhabit- ants of the coun- i) ______ii) ______iii)______try’s remote north- ern regions. Watch 3. What is the name of Jordin Tootoo’s home town? ______the video with these two themes 4. a) What is the name of Jordin Tootoo’s brother? ______in mind. Then answer the ques- b) What happened to him in the summer of 2002? tions on this page and complete the suggested viewing 5. What NHL team has drafted Jordin Tootoo as a possible player? and post-viewing activities based on the video. 6. What international hockey competition took place in Halifax in January 2003?

7. What is the capital of Nunavut? ______

8. What television broadcaster was the host of Hockey Day in Canada?

9. From the video, give three examples that illustrate the difficulties Aboriginal communities in the Far North face in trying to promote hockey. What have they done to overcome them?

i) ______

ii) ______

iii) ______

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 48 B. Critical Thinking and Responding Watch the video again, and after viewing, form groups with your classmates to discuss the following questions. Prepare and present your groups’ re- sponses to the rest of the class:

1. What challenges has Jordin Tootoo faced in pursuing a career in pro- fessional hockey? Which of these challenges would face any ambitious young athlete in Canada, and which of them are specifically related to his Aboriginal background and origins?

2. What initiatives have been introduced to promote greater access to hockey facilities among young residents of Canada’s remote northern communities? How successful do you think these have been to date?

3. In what respects do you think this video portrays the disparities (in- equalities) that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal commu- nities in Canada?

4. What is the status of hockey among residents of Aboriginal communi- ties in Canada? Why is Jordin Tootoo such an important symbol to them? C. Thinking about National Symbols As a class, discuss the importance of hockey in Canada’s national and cul- tural life. Use the following questions as a basis for the class discussion:

1. Why do you think hockey is referred to as this country’s “national game”?

2. Why do so many Canadians respond with such enthusiasm and emo- tion when Canadian teams perform well in international competitions (e.g. the 2002 Winter Olympic Games)? To what extent is the (NHL) really a Canadian as opposed to an American association?

3. How many teams are currently in the NHL? How many of them are based in Canadian cities? What does this suggest about the state of professional hockey in North America? Why do you think this is the case?

4. Why have Aboriginals and other minority groups (e.g. African Canadi- ans, South , East Asian Canadians) been underrepresented in professional hockey up to now?

5. When was the last time an NHL team based in a Canadian city won the ?

Each group should brainstorm, prepare, and present a written response to one of these questions. Be prepared to share your response with the class for a more general discussion.

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 49 JORDIN TOOTOO: HOCKEY NIGHT IN NUNAVUT Profile of Nunavut

On April 1, 1999, history was made in square kilometres, much of which is Canada when the , found on Ellesmere Island, where ice a vast region in the far north of the covers an area larger than New country separated into two administra- Brunswick. tive units. The eastern Arctic became Nunavut’s Inuit people have seen the new territory of Nunavut, an Inuit many changes in their once-traditional word meaning “our land,” with its way of life that centred on hunting and capital city at on Baffin Island. fishing. Most Nunavut residents now Nunavut’s land mass is vast. Larger live in permanent communities with than most of the world’s countries, it federally funded or administered covers 1.9 million square kilometres, or schools and hospitals. Although it is not one-fifth of Canada’s total area. Almost a province, Nunavut is a federal terri- half of Nunavut is located on the Cana- tory with an elected government, dian mainland north of the province of headed by Paul Okalik. His government and east of the Northwest is responsible for education, health, Territories. The rest of it is composed social services, language, culture, of a huge archipelago of hundreds of housing, justice, and other areas. Be- Arctic islands, including the largest of cause of the territory’s small population them, Baffin Island. Nunavut’s popula- and tax base, federal funding provides tion is tiny in relation to its huge land the vast majority of the government’s area, with approximately 30 000 people. operating budget. The vast majority are of Inuit back- In the four years since its creation, ground. The territory’s people are Nunavut has made great progress, but scattered in 28 communities, the largest its leaders admit there is still much to of which is Iqaluit. Nunavut’s popula- be done to improve the lives of its tion is probably the youngest in Canada, people. As John Amagoalik, recognized Further Research with over half of its people under 25 as the “Father of Nunavut,” has said, To learn more years of age. “we have the means now and we have about Canada’s Nunavut’s Arctic climate is very the responsibility. We must get down newest territory, harsh, with long cold winters and very and tackle the problems.” The problems consult brief mild summers. The entire region the Nunavut government faces include www.gov.nu.ca, the Web lies well north of the tree line. Its high unemployment, serious substance site of the govern- ground is permanently frozen, with only abuse, suicide, and a lack of social ment of Nunavut. a small surface area thawing enough in services for Nunavut residents. How- For more informa- the summer to support some vegetation ever, despite these challenges tion about Jordin growth. The coastal areas have some- Amagoalik and other Nunavut leaders Tootoo’s home- town, visit what more moderate temperatures than such as Premier Okalik remain optimis- www.kivalliq.org/ the interior zones. However, it does not tic that they can achieve a better stan- eng/rankin.html and snow much in Nunavut, an area geogra- dard of living for those they govern. As www.arctictravel.com/ phers refer to as a “polar desert” be- Amagoalik notes, the fact that chapters/ cause it receives less annual precipita- Nunavut’s mainly Inuit people are now rankinpage.html. tion than the Sahara Desert. Ice caps in charge of running their own affairs and glaciers cover nearly 150 000 represents a major step forward. “One

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 50 difference,” he says, “is that we now leum, commercial hunting and fishing, Further Research have control of the government, of the and eco-tourism. It is hoped that this To stay informed budget, of the priorities. A lot of efforts development will result in substantial about recent developments in in the past have failed mainly because economic benefits for Nunavut’s Inuit Nunavut, visit the people who controlled the money population, since over 80 per cent of the www.north.cbc.ca. were not part of the Aboriginal commu- territory’s vast mineral reserves, includ- nity it was meant to serve.” ing copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver, Amagoalik, who served as the Chief are located on Inuit-owned land. Commissioner of the Nunavut Imple- The creation of Nunavut is proof that mentation Commission, recognizes that a small population living on a vast area Nunavut’s people need jobs, a more of land in an extremely harsh climate diversified economy, a greater sense of can overcome what might seem to be hope, and a vastly improved educa- huge barriers to maintaining a distinct tional system and social services net- culture and society while at the same work. However, he is determined that time making economic and social any growth in the region’s economy progress. “We are very much a distinct should not come at the expense of the society,” says Amagoalik, “and the natural environment and way of life of Nunavut government will have the the people, which the government of responsibility of protecting and preserv- Nunavut has pledged to protect. The ing this distinct society. But we’re not future of Nunavut is clearly linked to trying to break up Canada. We’re trying the development of its main natural to join Canada.” resources, including mining and petro- Responding 1. Why was the creation of Nunavut in April 1999 such an important event in Canada’s recent history?

2. In what ways does Nunavut differ from other provinces and territories of Canada?

3. What are the main problems that the new government of Nunavut faces? How is it trying to overcome them?

Activity Using an atlas, almanac, or other resource, prepare a map of Nunavut, indicating the main population centres, geographic features etc.

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 51 JORDIN TOOTOO: HOCKEY NIGHT IN NUNAVUT YV A History of Hockey in Canada

Hockey, or “” as it is known The first Stanley Cup in Canadian Did You Know . . . outside Canada, is our country’s most history is won by AAA. Although hockey is famous contribution to the world of first in the hearts of most Canadians, sport. It is played by more people in 1903 After years of amateur play, the the official national Canada than any other game. Although first professional hockey league is sport is actually it is also popular in many other coun- formed, with teams from Pittsburgh, lacrosse? Lacrosse, tries, it is still widely considered to be Sault Ste. Marie, and various cities in which was origi- the Canadian national sport. Here is a . Most of the players are nally an Aboriginal brief history of hockey, from its origins Canadian, and are well paid for their sport, is claimed by some to be the true to the present day: services. Fred “Cyclone” Taylor, the inspiration for first hockey star, becomes the highest- hockey. 1850s British troops stationed in paid athlete in North America. Kingston and Halifax play a game called shinty or shinny, using sticks and 1917 The rival a ball on the ice. Soon the game comes Hockey Association and National to be called hockey, from the French Hockey Association merge to form the word hoquet, meaning a shepherd’s National Hockey League (NHL). By crook, which the stick resembles. A this time, teams are playing in indoor version of hockey is also played among stadiums, on artificial ice, and paying the English and Dutch settlers in New their players large salaries. Smaller York. cities are no longer able to afford teams that are now based in large urban 1875 Ice hockey as we now know it is centres in Eastern Canada and the U.S. first played in Montreal, with a set of rules formalized by J.G.A. Creighton, a 1920s The NHL includes the Montreal student at McGill University. He substi- Maroons (1924), Bruins (1924), tutes a flat rubber disk called a puck for (1923), Pitts- the ball that was previously used. burgh Pirates (1925), New York Rang- ers (1926), Black Hawks 1879 The first organized hockey team, (1926), along with the Montreal the McGill University Hockey Club, is Canadiens, , and the formed, and others soon follow across . The first national the country. Four years later, the first radio broadcasting of hockey games hockey championship, held at the begins with in Montreal Ice Carnival, is won by 1923, hosted by . McGill. In 1886, the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada is formed with 1930s The number of teams in the teams from Ottawa, City, and NHL drops to six, with only two, the Montreal. Maple Leafs and the Canadiens, repre- senting Canadian cities. During the 1893 The Governor General of Great Depression, hockey players’ Canada, Lord Stanley, donates a trophy salaries drop dramatically, but the for a national hockey championship. popularity of the game continues to rise.

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 52 Some of the stars of that era include the , with and The immortal lines, Frank “King” Clancy, Charlie , also become major teams “He shoots! He Conacher, , Aurele Joliat, during this decade. scores!” were first uttered by Foster , , Howie Hewitt during the Morenz, and . 1971 The early days of (WHA) is formed, signing a number of hockey radio 1940s The classic hockey rivalry former NHL players and attempting to broadcasting. between Toronto and Montreal be- break the National Hockey League’s comes more intense as the Maple Leafs monopoly over the game. By 1979, the Further Research win the Stanley Cup six times that two leagues merge after poor crowds To delve deeper decade, led by players like , and lawsuits force the WHA into bank- into hockey’s Walter “Turk” Broda, , ruptcy. glorious history, and . But the Canadiens visit the Web site of have outstanding players like Maurice 1972 The first Canada-Russia hockey the Canadian “Rocket” Richard, who scores 50 goals series is played, the most dramatic at in 50 games in the 1944-45 season. event in Canadian sports history. For www.hhof.com. the first time, NHL players are allowed The National 1950s During this decade, the to participate in an international compe- Hockey League Red Wings become a force in the NHL, tition, previously open only to ama- itself is at with outstanding players like Gordie teurs. In the final game of the series, www..com. The National Women’s Howe, , , and Toronto Maple Leaf player Paul Hockey League is at . But the Montreal Henderson scores the winning goal, and www.nwhlhockey.com Canadiens emerge as the league’s Canada narrowly wins the competition. and the National powerhouse team, winning the Cup five By this time, skilled national teams Hockey League Fan straight times, under the skillful leader- from Russia, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, Association is at ship of the “Rocket” and his brother and Finland are providing stiff competi- www.nhlfa.com. , Jean Beliveau, Dickie tion for Canadian teams in the Olym- Moore, , and Bernie pics and other international contests. Did You Know . . . “Boom Boom” Geoffrion. Montreal The CBC Archives goalie, , is the first in the 1980s and 90s Montreal’s domina- has an excellent league to wear a protective face mask. tion of the NHL comes to an end. The audio and video In 1955, Montreal erupts in a major riot Oilers, under superstar file of the famous when NHL president Clarence , win the Stanley Cup Maurice “Rocket” Richard? It can be Campbell orders five times, with the New York Islanders accessed at benched for an infraction. not far behind. The Pittsburgh Pen- www.cbc.ca/archives. guins, with star player , 1967 The NHL expands from its are also a strong contender during these “” teams to include six new decades, as are the , American ones, with more added during the , and the Colo- the 1970s. The Toronto Maple Leafs rado Avalanche. By this time, of the 30 dominate during the early to mid- teams in the NHL, the only Canadian sixties, but win the Cup for the last time ones left are based in Montreal, Ottawa, to date in Canada’s centennial year, Toronto, Edmonton, , and 1967. After that, Montreal begins . Franchises in Quebec City another string of Cup victories. The and are forced to transfer to Chicago Black Hawks, with Bobby U.S. cities for economic reasons. Hull, , and , and Canada’s national game becomes

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 53 increasingly dominated by teams from strong contingents of Americans, the United States. While most players Swedes, Russians, Czechs, Finns, and are still Canadian, there are by now others playing in the NHL. Hockey Quiz Test your knowledge of Canada’s national game by taking this quiz. Circle what you believe to be the correct answer. Some of the questions are based on the historical timeline above, while others are general knowledge.

1. Who gave his name to hockey’s oldest trophy? a) b) c) Lord Stanley

2. Who invented the machine that resurfaces ice, making it fresh and smooth for players? a) b) Abby Hoffman c) Frank Zamboni

3. Which NHL team has won the most Stanley Cups? a) Toronto Maple Leafs b) c) Boston Bruins

4. What rival league competed with the NHL during the 1970s? a) b) World Hockey Association c) International Hockey League

5. Who holds the NHL record for most career points (goals and assists)? a) Rocket Richard b) Wayne Gretzky c)

6. Who scored the series-winning goal in the 1972 Canada-Russia series? a) Phil Esposito b) Larry Robinson c)

7. Which NHL trophy can a player win only once in his career? a) Smythe b) c) Calder

8. How many teams are currently in the NHL? a) 30 b) 40 c) 50

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 54 9. How many NHL teams are currently located in Canadian cities? Quote a) three “Hockey captures b) six the essence of the c) nine Canadian experi- ence in the New 10. How many regular season games does each NHL team play? World. In a land so inescapably and a) 60 inhospitably cold, b) 70 hockey is the dance c) 80 of life, an affirma- tion that despite 11. Name the player who was still playing in the NHL when he was 50 the deathly chill of years old. winter we are a) Gordie Howe alive.” — Bruce b) Phil Esposito Kidd in The Death of Hockey c) Bobby Hull 12. When did a Canadian team last win the ? Quote a) 2000 b) 1993 “It is perhaps fitting that this c) 1990 fastest of all games has become almost 13. When was the first amateur hockey team in Canada established? as much of a na- a) 1850 tional symbol as b) 1879 the maple leaf or c) 1893 the beaver. Most young Canadians, 14. What NHL player scored the most goals in one season of play? in fact, are born a) Wayne Gretzky with skates on their feet, rather than b) Mario Lemieux with silver spoons c) in their mouths.” — Former prime 15 In what city is the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame located? minister Lester B. a) Montreal Pearson, 1939 b) Vancouver c) Toronto

16. Which Canadian hockey team(s) won a gold medal in the ? a) Men’s b) Women’s c) Men’s and Women’s

17. Which NHL trophy goes to the most valuable player in the ? a) Norris b) Smythe c) Hart

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 55 18. When did regular radio broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada begin? a) 1923 b) 1930 c) 1918

19. Who was the first NHL goalie to wear a protective face mask? a) Terry Sawchuk b) Jacques Plante c) Glenn Hall

20. What NHL star’s suspension from play in 1955 touched off a riot in Montreal? a) Jean Beliveau b) Henri Richard

c) Maurice Richard

15. c, 16. c, 17. b, 18. a, 19. b, 20. c. 20. b, 19. a, 18. b, 17. c, 16. c, 15.

1. c, 2. c, 3. b, 4. b, 5. b, 6. c, 7. c, 8. a, 9. b, 10. c, 11. a, 12. b, 13. b, 14. a, 14. b, 13. b, 12. a, 11. c, 10. b, 9. a, 8. c, 7. c, 6. b, 5. b, 4. b, 3. c, 2. c, 1. Answers

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 56 JORDIN TOOTOO: HOCKEY NIGHT IN NUNAVUT YV Activities

Choose one of the following activities. Further Research More information 1. Design a “Jordin Tootoo” hockey card. Your card should contain bio- about Jordin graphical details concerning Tootoo, based on the information you Tootoo may be were able to obtain about him from the video. The card might look investigated at www.cbc.sports like the following: line.com/u/hockey/ nhl/players/ 273354.htm, Name: www.cbc.sports.hockey, or Birth Date: www.joyofhockey.com/ N1JordinTootoo.html. Personal Information:

[Image]

Hockey Stats and Skills:

Likely Future:

OR

2. As a class, discuss and compose a joint letter you might want to write to Jordin Tootoo, commenting on his aspirations to play professional hockey, what it would mean for the Inuit people in Canada, and what wishes you would like to extend to him for his future career. Feel free to include illustrations, etc. You might send your letter care of the Nashville Predators via their Web site at www.nashvillepredators.com/ contactus/index.html or by post to Nashville Predators, 501 Broadway, Nashville TN 37203, USA.

CBC News in Review • March 2003 • Page 57