An Exploration of Connections with the Land in an Urban Sport Context among Indigenous Youth

• Author / Creator

  Davie, Jenna

• The purpose of this participatory research was to explore connections with the land in an urban sport context among Indigenous youth. Two research questions guided this study: (a) What does a connection with the land look like in an urban sport context?, and (b) How can connections with the land be facilitated in an urban sport context? Nine youth from the ages of 22-27 years that self-identified as Métis and First Nations participated in this research. Data were generated through sharing circles, one-on-one interviews, and follow-up one-on-one interviews. Participants described how the land in an urban context represents more than just a physical space; the land is connected to their identity, holistic health, family, healing and languages. Four themes that represent opportunities to support connections with the land in an urban sport context were identified: (a) reclaim spaces; (b) recognizing the land as a “way of being”; (c) facilitating culture camps and land-based learning; and (d) improving access to resources and information. Findings from this research suggest that sport can play a central role in facilitating connections to the land among Indigenous youth in urban centres. The experiences shared in this research are understood through urban spaces of decolonization, which may have important implications in Indigenous health and identity. Overall, practical suggestions to facilitate connections to the land within sport contexts were identified, and should be considered by sport and land-based programmers.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Land
  • Youth
  • Urban
  • Decolonization
  • Physical Activity
  • Indigenous
  • Sport

• Graduation date

  Fall 2019

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-1y64-5j64

• License

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