“There’s a Cultural Pride Through Our Games”: Enhancing the Sport Experiences of Indigenous Youth in Canada Through Participation in Traditional Games

• Published in: Journal of Sport and Social Issues
• Main Authors: Dubnewick, Michael, Hopper, Tristan, Spence, John C., McHugh, Tara-Leigh F.
• Other Authors: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2018
• Subjects: Northwest Territories
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0193723518758456; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0193723518758456; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/0193723518758456

The purpose of this community-based participatory research was to better understand how participation in traditional games can enhance the sport experiences of Indigenous youth. Eight Indigenous youth (14-18 years) and 10 adults living in various communities in the Northwest Territories, Canada, participated in either a one-on-one interview or group interview. Data were analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach, and findings suggest that participating in traditional games can enhance the sport experiences of Indigenous youth by (a) promoting cultural pride, (b) interacting with Elders, (c) supporting connection to the land, (d) developing personal characteristics, and (e) developing a foundation for movement. This research advances the sport literature and provides necessary insights regarding traditional games for sport programmers and policy makers.