In the article “Sharing One Skin” by Jeanette Armstrong, she explains how the Okanagan people view the world. They believe that their individual selves are composed of four main capacities, the physical self, the emotional self, the thinking-intellectual self, and the spiritual self. Each part is connected, not just to people, but also to nature. Armstrong highlights that “ the Okanagan word for “extended family” is translated as “Sharing one skin” I think that the idea behind “Sharing One Skin” is about realizing that everything is interconnected and the importance of living in balance while respecting the environment.

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

Toastie explains how place names influence the way we see different landscapes and places. It compares how Indigenous people and colonizers named places. Indigenous names are usually tied to stories that hold cultural, spiritual, or environmental significance, creating a deep connection to the land. In contrast, colonizers gave names that reflected power or “important” figures, often disconnecting the land from its original meaning. The renaming of these places not only changes how people see the land but also impacts Indigenous people's connection to their own identity.

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News:    Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact- the-way-we-see-landscape.

This story describes Joe Suina's childhood experiences growing up in Cochiti and then attending a white school. In the pueblo, life revolved around community, spirituality, and cultural traditions that were passed down from generations to him by his grandma. When he started school, he faced an unfamiliar environment where he was forced to speak English, and his pueblo upbringing was looked down upon. As time passed, Suina watched technology and production evolve in the Western world as well as saw the impact that English education had on his pueblo. He started to understand that to survive in the New World he would have to sacrifice parts of his identity. The story ends with the realization of what he had to do to survive and then a prayer. The cornmeal was a small but powerful reminder of his true identity despite limitations from the outside world.

Suina, Joseph “And I went to school” memories of a pueblo childhood,”. New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No.2.

In part of the book “To Show What an Indian Can Do”, by John Bloom we are introduced to the segregation of both male and female students at Native American Boarding schools. The BIA viewed boarding schools as a way to assimilate Native Children into Western civilization and believed that this would change them for the better. Pratt’s vision for the Carlisle Indian School included physical education as a way of instilling discipline, which he believed would transform the children into “Imitation white men” (10). Pratt had mixed feelings towards sports, especially football. He saw it as both a way to progress and a source of violence. His conflicting views reflect the societal problems regarding race, gender, and the role of sports in defining identity and morality. “Any display of anger would only confirm to audiences that “they are savages”” This quote shows the pressure on Native American students to be their best selves to avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes.

To Show what an Indian Can Do: Sports at Native American Boarding Schools, by John Bloom, University of Minnesota Press, 2000, pp. 1-19.

In “The Native American Barrier,” Greg Boeck discusses the challenges Native American Athletes face when trying to gain recognition in sports. High dropout rates, cultural values that emphasize community over individualism, and lack of exposure create obstacles for Native American athletes like Ryne Hemstreet, who dreamed of playing baseball at a higher level. “As a Native American, nobody takes you too seriously that you can play at that level”” It's my job to go out and get noticed.”-Hemstreet (2)  Brandon Leslie’s struggles as an Olympic runner reflect the lack of financial support. Even as a top-tier athlete, He still lacked financial backing. It also talked about past athletes such as Jim Thorpe and Notah Begay III.

Boeck, Greg. "The Native American barrier." USA Today, 22 Feb. 2007, p. 01C. Gale In Context: Middle School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A159887260/MSIC?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=bf7efa3d. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Jim Thorpe faced many personal and professional challenges throughout his life, the most tragic being the death of his son James Junior in 1918. His grief led to a decline in his personal life, impacting his relationship with his wife which contributed to their separation. Despite these hard times, Thorpe continued to excel in his top sport which was football. He led the Canton Bulldogs to multiple championships and became the first president of the American Professional Football Conference which later turned into the NFL. Thorpe’s team, the Oorang Indians countered stereotypes but separated after a short run. His legacy was solidified and is now remembered as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. “It was great to see the folks haven’t forgotten old Jim” (231) This quote reflects the lasting recognition of Thorpe’s impact, emphasizing the importance of honoring Native American athletes and their contributions to sports history.

Sheinkin, Steve. Undefeated; Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team, Square Fish, 2019, pp. 223-233.

This article highlights Johnny Mullagh, an Indigenous Australian cricketer who led the 1868 Aboriginal team on a historic tour of England. Despite his achievements, Indigenous representation in Australian cricket remains severely limited, only eight Indigenous players have represented the country internationally since 1880. The Johnny Mullagh Medal was established to honor his legacy, yet Indigenous cricketers continue to encounter significant barriers in the sport. As Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley noted, Mullagh and the 1868 team’s story is one of resilience, triumph, discrimination, and tragedy. Players like Scott Boland and Jason Gillespie are now advocating for improved opportunities for Indigenous athletes, but substantial progress is still needed to make a change. Indigenous athletes have historically been overlooked and underrepresented at the highest levels of sports, echoing the experiences of Native American athletes in the United States. While recognition is important, it alone is insufficient. The Johnny Mullagh Medal honors Mullagh’s legacy, but Indigenous cricketers still struggle to break into the sport. This is similar to the challenges faced by Native American athletes—moments of recognition are fleeting, and systemic barriers, such as lack of resources, persist. Seeing players like Boland and Gillespie push for better Indigenous representation in cricket underscores the need for more advocates and programs to ensure Native American athletes receive the opportunities they deserve.

Fontaine, Angus. “His cricket was fierce but 156 summers later, has Australia done justice to Johnny Mullagh?” The Guardian, 30 December 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/dec/30/his-cricket-was-fierce-and-trailblazing-156-summers-later-has-australia-done-justice-to-johnny-mullagh. Accessed 3 March 2025

This article by Alisse Ali-Joseph, Kelsey Leonard, and Natalie Welch delves into the challenges faced by Indigenous athletes in sports and how they navigate these obstacles through activism, community, and resilience. One significant issue highlighted is the targeting of Indigenous athletes for expressing their cultural identity, particularly through their hairstyles. The authors showcase the courageous efforts of young athletes, such as the Navajo women’s basketball team, who fought to wear their traditional “tsiiyeel” while competing despite exclusion. The concept of abundance is also explored, emphasizing how Indigenous athletes create opportunities for their communities. Jessie Stomski-Seim exemplifies this when she advocated for Indigenous representation in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, leading to increased visibility and resources. Moreover, the article underscores the crucial role of family and community in Indigenous sports, particularly in overcoming systemic barriers. A striking example is Ted Nolan and his sons, who, despite facing racism in hockey, established programs like the 3NOLANS to uplift Indigenous youth. Through these narratives, the authors demonstrate that Indigenous athletes are not merely competitors but actively reclaiming space and challenging the structures that have historically marginalized them.

Ali-Joseph, Alisse, Kelsey Leonard, and Natalie Welch. "Indigenizing Sport Research: Analyzing Protective Factors of Exercising Sovereignty in North America". Sociology of Sport Journal 40.4 (2023): 410-418. < https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.2023-0006>. Web. 3 Mar. 2025

The discussion on Native America Calling highlights the increasing presence of indigenous athletes at the olympics, specifically in the 2024 Paris Games. New Zealand has the highest number of Indigenous competitors in its History,  contributing to the 53 Indigenous competitors in its history, contributing to the 53 indigenous athletes from various countries. The Interview explored what it takes to compete at such a high level featuring guests like Dan Ninham (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin),  Waneek Horn-Miller (Mohawk), Maurice Smith (Navajo), and Rick Baker (Hopi). The Podcast was about representation, training challenges, and the importance of recognizing indigenous identity through sports. They also discussed the legacy of Past native olympians, like Billy mills, and how indigenous communities can better support athletes reaching elite levels. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 – Indigenous athletes: what it takes to get to the Olympics. 2024. Native America Calling, https://www.nativeamericacalling.com/tuesday-july-30-2024-indigenous-athletes-what-it-takes-to-get-to-the-olympics/. Accessed 3 Mar 2025.