Background
Recognizing the various benefits of sport participation, Sport Canada’s Policy on Aboriginal
Peoples’ Participation in Sport (2005) outlined the goals of enhanced participation, enhanced capacity,
enhanced excellence, and enhanced interaction for Aboriginal peoples. This Policy was released in 2005, but there has been little follow-up to determine if such goals have been met. Furthermore, there has been an identified need for more research that is focused on ensuring that the goals of this Policy become a reality. As a result of a newly established partnership that consists of cross-sector perspectives (academic, government), our team was uniquely positioned to address this gap between research and policy.
Purpose
The purpose of this ongoing program of community-based participatory research was to explore how the participation of Aboriginal youth in traditional games can support Sport Canada’s goals to: (1) enhance participation of Aboriginal peoples in sport, and (2) enhance the capacity of individuals, organizations, and communities in support of Aboriginal sport. Participants: A total of 18 participants took part in this research. Specifically, 10 adults (including coaches/administrators/elder) and 8 youth athletes from across the Northwest Territories participated. Data generation: All participants took part in either a group interview or a one-on-one interview. All interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data analysis: Transcripts were analyzed using a process of content analysis. Our cross-sector research partnership is currently in the process of confirming themes, which will be used to represent the experiences of participants. Initial results: Initial findings suggest that participation in traditional games can enhance the participation of Aboriginal peoples in sport by: (1) promoting cultural pride, (2) interacting with Elders, (3) supporting connection to the land, (4) promoting personal development, and (5) developing basic movement skills. Each theme is supported by direct quotes from participants.
Discussion
Although our team is still in the process of interpreting findings, this research provides a practical example of how Aboriginal youth and community partners (e.g., coaches, administrators)
can and should be actively involved in research that respects their knowledge and honours their voices in the research process. As well, findings from this research provide in-depth insights into the various ways in which the participation of Aboriginal youth in traditional games can support the goals of Sport Canada’s Policy on Aboriginal Peoples’ Participation in Sport.