“There’s a Cultural Pride Through Our Games”: Enhancing the Sport Experiences of Indigenous Youth in Canada Through Participation in Traditional Games
Abstract
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.
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Understanding Positive Youth Development in Sport Through the Voices of Indigenous Youth
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Dubnewick, M., Hopper, T., Spence, J. C., & McHugh, T.-L. F.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Corresponding author
- McHugh, Tara-Leigh F.
- Venue
- Journal of Sport and Social Issues
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2018-02-19
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 207-226
- ISSN
- 0193-7235 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7638
- OpenAlex
- W2794335258
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 5.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Sport and Social Issues (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (862-2014-0006)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Physical education and sports games research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Physical Education and Sports Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
- Keywords
- Indigenous youth, traditional games, sport experience, cultural pride, older adults, connection to land, personal characteristics, movement development, Indigenous sport, Northwest Territories
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