Canada's biggest playground, winter, leads the way as we look at a century of play for Canadian kids. In the beginning you made your own gear and toys, but some store-bought things were irresistible. What Canadian girl, in her time, wouldn't want an Eaton's Beauty doll or a Barbara Ann Scott doll? And what boy, swept up in a cowboy craze, wouldn't die to have a Gene Autry gun or a Lash LaRue whip? Throughout the century, adults helped to organize clubs, camps and playgrounds--often with the intent of steering children away from trouble. In the end, getting away from …
Warnings: Mentions of sexual behaviour, some offensive terms and visuals of Indigenous people
Which experiences do you consider as quintessentially “Canadian” when it comes to winter play? How do gender stereotypes play out with regard to play? How have things changed, if at all? What perspectives are missing when considering the ideas of play in this film? How are some of the games or songs that were sung by children problematic through a modern lens? What should be done when considering recalling these songs? Many of the world’s events affect the way children play. What evidence of that is in the film? Is there evidence of similar impact today?