Brown skin, white ice: South Asian specific ice hockey programming in Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ice hockey is traditionally known as a ‘white man’s sport’; however, this is a fabricated history that has erased Black and Indigenous contributions to the game. With changing demographics in settler nations such as Canada, racialized citizens are starting to challenge who is allowed to participate and speak about traditionally white-dominated cultural practices. This study uses interview data, media analysis, and reflective vignettes to examine the work that Apna Hockey does to unsettle the whiteness of ice hockey culture in Canada by amplifying the voices and experiences of South Asian hockey participants. Apna Hockey challenges dominant stereotypes about South Asian athletes and bodies through its networking opportunities and social media platforms. We argue that, even though Apna Hockey cannot undo racism in hockey by itself, it does important work with respect to creating and taking space that has never previously been afforded to racialized participants.