Sport for Indigenous resurgence: Toward a critical settler-colonial reflection

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Sport
• Indigenous Studies
• Development Studies

Background:

• Examines sport for development (SFD) within Canada's neoliberal settler-colonial context.
• Considers the impact of Indigenous resurgence on SFD practices.
• Highlights challenges and self-criticism among program staff in the Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze SFD practices in light of Indigenous resurgence.
• To identify essential themes for transforming the SFD sector.
• To reflect on decolonizing SFD and the role of non-Indigenous scholars.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of program staff experiences and perspectives.
• Examination of SFD within a settler-colonial and Indigenous resurgence framework.
• Reflexive critique of the research field itself.

Main Results:

• Identified three emergent themes crucial for sector transformation: growth and pace, Indigenous agency and knowledge, and political engagement.
• Program staff demonstrated high levels of constructive self-criticism and reflexivity.
• The study underscores the need to recognize and center Indigenous resurgence in SFD.

Conclusions:

• Decolonizing SFD requires centering Indigenous agency, knowledge, and political engagement.
• Non-Indigenous scholars must critically examine their role in potentially reproducing colonial dynamics within SFD research.
• Transforming SFD necessitates a shift in growth, pace, and power structures to support Indigenous resurgence.