NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Dehcho Region, North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, recreation, physical activity, participatory research

Objective(s): The overarching research question for the proposed research is, “what enables and/or inhibits female and male Aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories to experience cultural safety in group Physical Activity programs?”

Project Description: The overarching research question for the proposed research is, “what enables and/or inhibits female and male Aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories to experience cultural safety in group physical activity (PA) programs?” My qualitative, participatory research has three main objectives: i) identify the characteristics that enable/inhibit Aboriginal participants’ experience of PA program as culturally safe; ii) identify the role(s) that sex and gender may play in influencing experiences of cultural safety in PA programs; iii) identify the factors that influence the attainment of cultural safety in a mixed culture PA setting. For the proposed program of research, the principal investigator (PI) seeks to conduct community-based participatory research (CBPR) of the highest possible quality. Such an approach melds together the principles of both participatory research and community action research. Collaboration, education and action are all key elements of participatory research, an approach that strengthens the research project due to the sharing of power, decision making and leadership from design to dissemination. Further, joint data interpretation will increase cultural validity and minimize harm to community members (Macaulay et al., 1999). CBPR recognizes the political nature of all research - that it is neither neutral nor value-free. A fundamental aspect of such research is “careful and continuous negotiation about whose voice one emphasizes, what research strategies are selected, and on whose behalf one engages in research” (Reitsma-Street & Brown, 2004, p. 303). The commitment to attaining certain goals results in strategic actions that rely on the contributions of many participants and the incorporation of voices of dissent (Reitsma-Street & Brown, 2004). CBPR is used to address practical problems and to open up spaces for community members to imagine various possibilities for change. For the purposes of this research, the PI will follow George, Daniel, and Green’s (1998) definition of a community as any group of individuals with something in common: “this definition includes cultural, social, political, health, and economic issues that may link individuals who may or may not share a particular geographic association” (p. 186). The PI will form a research advisory committees, which will be made up of representatives from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association (3 members) and members of the communities (Yellowknife and Fort Simpson) in which the PI will conduct the research (2 members). Members from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association are from NWT communities and will provide expertise in community-based recreation, while the community members will provide expertise in knowledge of their particular communities. The PI will conduct CBPR in one urban community (Yellowknife) and one rural or remote community (Fort Simpson) in the NWT. The justification for these selections is that Yellowknife is a very ethnically diverse community, with numerous First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, and recent and long-term immigrants. As such, PA programs offered in this community are more likely to involve individuals from multiple cultures, which poses a different set of challenges for the attainment of cultural safety. Smaller NWT communities, such as Fort Simpson, have much less diverse ethnic make-ups, which may make the attainment of cultural safety easier due to the more homogenous make-up. As a result of these differences, the PI will be able to collect data in two distinctly different settings. Both communities offer at least one group exercise program (e.g., Elders in Motion programming, yoga, fitness classes, aquafit, etc). The PI will spend one week in each community. The data collection techniques are deliberately vague at this time. Due to the commitment to true CBPR, the PI cannot anticipate what the advisory committee will deem desirable and acceptable. Nevertheless, common qualitative research methods that are used with CBPR include semi-structured interviews (Fontana & Frey, 2005; Schostak, 2006), focus groups (Kamberelis & Dimitraidis, 2005), digital storytelling (Wachowich & Scobie, 2010), oral traditions (Cruikshank, 1998), and photovoice (Castleden, Garvin, & Huu-ay-aht First Nation, 2008). The selection of data collection techniques will be guided by the research advisory committee. Obtaining assistance in the development of the data collection techniques will help to avoid inadvertently breeching cultural protocol (Hart, 1995). Postcolonial (e.g., Hall, 1993) theory identifies the necessity for locally- and non-Eurocanadian-derived knowledge to be taken seriously. By engaging with Aboriginal knowledge in a serious and meaningful fashion, this program of research can respond to postcolonial critiques concerning research with Aboriginal peoples (e.g., Smith, 1999). By treating oral tradition as legitimate, expert knowledge, this program of research will make large strides in understanding cultural safety in injury prevention programs in the NWT. Regardless of the method of data collection selected by the committee, the PI will abide by OCAP principles (NAHO, 2005). Approximately 10 participants are anticipated in both Yellowknife and Fort Simpson. Each participant will own and control his or her own data. S/he will have access to her data at any time – something that will be facilitated by the fact that all participants will be given transcripts of their participation for verification and thus have possession of it. Participants can remove their contributions at any time prior to publication. Northerners’ participation in research must be regarded as expert contributions. Community members may have the opportunity to participate in the focus groups or may have the opportunity to be a part of the advisory committee for carrying out the research. Staff members of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association may also have the opportunity to participate in the semi-structured interviews. There may also be opportunities for local involvement through the hiring of a local interpreter for the focus groups or interviews. This project may also provide the communities with resources for culturally safe physical activity programs. Ongoing dialogue with residents of the communities in which the proposed research will take place plays an incredibly important role in maintaining and building strong research relationships. Towards this end, input from the advisory committee, the PI will create a plain language, bi-monthly newsletter to keep community members abreast of research developments. The PI will also ask each advisory committee to determine additional ways in which can best communicate the results to their communities (e.g., local radio, posters, feast, etc). In addition, articles about the research project will be submitted to regional and territorial newspapers (e.g., the Deh Cho Drum, News/North) at least twice a year. Each community will also receive copies of all publications pertaining to and developed from the program of research. Publications and plain language reports will be disseminated broadly to various stakeholders, including the Government of the NWT (Departments of Municipal and Community Affairs; Health and Social Services), the NWT Sport and Recreation Council, Sport North, Motivate Canada, Sport Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative; these organizations are well-placed to ensure that information is widely disseminated, while they are also the organizations best situated to initiate policy and programmatic change. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from October 28, 2014 to December 31, 2014.