Jim Morpe's Influence On Aboriginal Culture

Sports has been an important aspect in aboriginal culture for many years. It dates back all the way back to the beginning when they played lacrosse to settle wars and conflicts between nations. Sports not only settled conflict but was also an integral part to making changes throughout history for the aboriginal culture and inspiring its youth into what it is today. Athletic heroes like Jim Thorpe, Tom Longboat and present athletes Jordin Tootoo and Ted Nolan helped inspire youth of today. By showing courage of standing up against racism and the other struggles in life as aboriginal. These athletes persevered through these struggles and paved a path for a safe environment for future aboriginal athletes. The 1900’s was a tough time for aboriginal …show more content…
Athletics gave the children benefits in school, if the students did well at their sporting events they were rewarded with extra food, clothes and even new equipment for their sport they played. These sports and athletics gave something for them to look forward to and bring happiness into their lives. One young man took advantage of this and made a name for himself that no one will forget. That young man was Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School where he played football and ran track and field (Bio, 2014). Thorpe career really took off while playing football where he was the halfback, place kicker, punter and defender. Which he became an all-american in college football ( Bio, 2014). Although Jim was great at football, that was not his only passion. In 1912 he was named to the United States Olympic team and won a gold in the pentathlon. However he was stripped of his medal because it was later revealed he was not an amateur because he played baseball in the summer in which he got paid to do. Thorpe did not know of these rules and felt cheated. Many people felt the amateur association was being racist towards Thorpe because many amateurs were playing the