Determining sporting success as indigenous peoples living in the Nlaka’pamux Territory: a mixed qualitative approach
Date
2019-08-30
Authors
Waldman, Brianna
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Abstract
This study focused on exploring the key markers associated with how Indigenous Peoples living in the Nlaka'pamux Territory perceive success in sport. It was designed using Community- Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach and underpinned by decolonial theory that attempts to deconstruct colonial misunderstandings by drawing on the rich lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples in community. Six individuals from the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly were part of a conversation circle that employed open-ended questions and a conversational interviewing style. An interview guide was also used alongside the broader research questions that specifically looked more in-depth at how the Citxw Nlaka'pamux Peoples define success in sport.
By employing thematic analysis to identify common markers in the data, we were able to address the overall research questions. The key markers identified were zuʔzuʔscút (take courage, feel encouraged, courage), kn̓ ə́m (support help along, access), ceʔcʔexw (showing happiness/love, enjoyment), relationship, nk̓ seytkn (family, community, cohort,), wʔexw (Live, Be as you are, self-determination) and ƛ̓ əq̓ mey̓ t (cultural teachings, values, and principals, identity).
The findings contribute important knowledge for grassroot sports organizations, through to provincial and federal sporting bodies, in addressing the lack of Indigenous voice currently existing in the conventional sporting environments. For success to be achieved, there is an urgent need to include more grassroot local level sporting experiences, and to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ voices are included at all planning stages for all levels of sport.
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Keywords
sport, indigenous, qualitative, reconciliation