New documentary investigates the possible Mi'kmaq origins of hockey

A First Nations family in Nova Scotia is asking a new question about the origins on one of Canada's favourite games: did the Mi'kmaq invent ice hockey?

Mi'kmawpolitical scienceprofessor Cheryl Maloney and her family, from Sipekne'katik First Nation, have been researching a Mi'kmaw origin theory since 2014 and have made a documentary The Game of Hockey: A Mi'kmaq Storyabout their findings.

"My interest and passion in the Mi'kmaw contributions to the game have led me to the point, where we'll be screening our filmconfidentthat the Mi'kmaq invented hockey," Maloney said.

She began investigatingthe theory after reading an article about the history of Mi'kmaw hockey stickssubmitted to her by one of her students, Maloney said.

The Mi'kmaq have long been credited with the design and original manufacturing of the first ice hockey sticks. There is evidence that throughout the 20th century their sticks had been used acrossNorth America, and even as far as Australia.

Did the Mi'kmaq invent hockey?

6 years ago

Duration 6:03

A First Nations family in Nova Scotia is asking a new question about the origins on one of Canadas favourite games.

"The story of origins [has] been a questionable story for many years," said hockey historian David Carterof Brookfield, N.S.

Carter, who worksforthe Nova Scotia Museum, has spent the lasteightyears researchingorigin theories in his free time. He calls himself "Hockey-Holmes: Heritage Detective."

Nova Scotia origins?

Some theories promote a more European-based origin, Carter said, in places like theNetherlandsand England, while others tie back to games played in Ontario, Quebec and the most well known inNova Scotia.

"I think the evidence supports ageneral Nova Scotia perspective, with pivot points that include Windsor especially and Halifax," Carter said.

"I think the Mi'kmaq would be part of that too, I think, from a prehistoric point of view."

Carter saidwhile there is credible evidence thataMi'kmaw game similar to ice hockeycould have influenced thedevelopment of today's game, he's not willing to say hockey was invented by pre-contactMi'kmaq.

"I find invention a very difficult term," he said.

"It requires a certain amount of proof to claim invention. Today, we call that copyright. Back then ... there was no means of doing that."

Carter said he'd bemore comfortable referring to the Mi'kmaw game as the "roots" of ice hockey.

1943 letter

Maloney said the evidence for the Mi'kmaq invention of hockey"is with the Mi'kmaq. [it's] within our language, within our legends, within our stories."

Maloney's great-great grandfather"Old Joe" Copewas a Mi'kmaw hockey stick maker and photographer from Sipekne'katik who died in 1951.

Copewrotea letter to a Halifax newspaper in 1943suggesting the Mi'kmaq created the game. Ithas been cited in various written and online publications.

Nova Scotia author Garth Vaughan quoted Cope in his 1999 book The Puck Starts Herebut did not cite theoriginal source.

"Long before the pale faces strayed to this country, the [Mi'kmaq]were playing two ball games, a field game and an ice game," Cope wrote.

Asource of pride

Maloney said she's still investigating evidence that suggests some pre-contactMi'kmaw words describe the rules and actions used in playing ice hockey.

Maloney said there is likely research to be done that's beyond her capacity, and she's hopeful the next generation will continue to investigatethe Mi'kmaw origin story.

"I think hockey is such a beautiful sport. [It's] a gift of the Mi'kmaq to the rest of the world," she said.

"There's notaking that game and keeping it for ourselves, but I'd love to give pride to our kids and other Aboriginal children in this country. To know, when they step on that ice, that that came from ... my people."

Cheryl and April Maloney are currently screening a preview of their documentary in First Nations communities in Nova Scotia.

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