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Through the Lens of the Youth: Exploring Culturally Relevant Physical Activity with a Northern Aboriginal Community Through Participatory Action Research
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- Author / Creator
- Tang, Keren
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Guided by an overarching participatory action research framework, this research explored physical activity within the sociocultural context of northern Aboriginal communities. I worked in partnership with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Community Wellness Program in the Northwest Territories, Canada, to develop, implement and evaluate the research. Together, we aimed to: 1) document the community’s perspective of and experience with physical activity through the eyes of the youth; 2) investigate how physical activity is embedded in local and traditional culture; 3) raise consciousness about physical activity in the community; and 4) develop a strategic plan for sustaining new and existing physical activity initiatives. Ultimately, this research highlighted the critical role of culture and traditions in the Dene people’s physical activity experience and more broadly, their health and wellbeing. Moreover, it demonstrated that a participatory action research project is entirely feasible within the capacity of a Master’s thesis, given the appropriate circumstances, partnership, and researcher attitude. This study contributes to the current understanding of physical activity from an Indigenous perspective and provides recommendations for future research, policy, and practice to develop meaningful and effective interventions for chronic disease preventions.
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2014
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.