NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Dehcho Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, participatory research, organized sports

Objective(s): To enhance participation of Aboriginal peoples in sport, and to enhance the capacity of individuals, organizations, and communities in support of Aboriginal sport.

Project Description: The purpose of this proposed program of research is to explore how the participation of Aboriginal youth in Traditional Inuit and Dene 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. This participatory action research (PAR) will actively engage Aboriginal youth, coaches, and administrators in the generation and mobilization of knowledge. A five phase PAR approach (i.e., Research Design, Data Generation, Data Analysis, Communication, and Action) will guide this proposed research. There may be overlap in the timing of phases. Phase One: Research Design: The objective of this first phase is to identify the key people (participants) who are affected by the issues. 30 participants will be identified. Phase Two: Data Generation: The objective of this second phase is to provide opportunities for participants to identify ways in which participation in Traditional Inuit and Dene games can support Sport Canada’s goals to enhance participation and enhance capacity of Aboriginal peoples in sport. This research will generate data via sharing circle interviews. A total of 6 sharing circles will be conducted either at the Traditional Games Championship (Yellowknife) or in the communities of Fort Resolution or Fort Providence. Specifically, 2 sharing circles with 5 youth per group (total of 10 youth), 2 sharing circles with 5 coaches per group (total of 10 coaches), and 2 sharing circles with 5 administrators per group (total of 10 administrators). Each sharing circle will be conducted by research assistants and last approximately 45 minutes-1 hour. Phase 3: Data Analysis: The objective of this third phase is to identify the information that appears to be most pertinent to the issue being explored. All interviews will be transcribed and checked with original recordings. Participants will provide pseudonyms to be used in text. Content analysis will be used as the primary method of data analysis. Although no systematic rules for analysis exist, the common feature in content analysis is that many words of text are grouped/classified into smaller content categories. In an effort to develop smaller content categories, the content analysis will be comprised of three processes: preparation, organizing, and reporting. Phase Four: Communication: The objective of this fourth phase is to ensure that findings are being effectively communicated throughout the duration of the project. Findings will be communicated to all participants, as well as to public, professional, and academic audiences. Audience appropriate methods of communication (e.g., community presentations, newsletters, academic publications, government reports) will be developed for the various groups. Phase Five: Act: The objective of this final phase is to proceed with new understandings in an effort to address the research issue. Specifically, new understandings that arise from the focus groups will provide initial insights into the unexplored issue of how participation in traditional games can support Sport Canada’s goals. These new understandings will be communicated to various audiences. The knowledge sharing will be a form of action. The new knowledge generated from this development research will provide the necessary foundation for the development of a more defined and in-depth research grant that will allow deeper exploration of Traditional Inuit and Dene games. Participants are acknowledged as the experts of their experiences and may contribute to a better understanding of the way in which Traditional Inuit and Dene games can support the goals of Sport Canada. Activities: Year 1: Findings will likely be shared via two newsletters that are co-developed by participants, graduate student research assistants, and the research team. This newsletter will be distributed to participants via mail. Findings will be shared with northern communities via presentations at community halls and schools by participants and regional sport and recreation representatives. Year 2: Findings will be shared with the Government of the Northwest Territories and Sport Canada via a brief report that highlights key findings. Findings will also be shared with academic audiences via 4 publications in peer review journals (e.g., Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise, and Health), including one publication in an open access journal. Findings will also be presented at 3 national (e.g., National Aboriginal Physical Activity Conference) and 1 international research (e.g., North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Exercise) conferences. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 15, 2015 to December 31, 2015.