Bringing the ‘other half’ back: a place-specific intergenerational exploration of Indigenous physical cultural masculinities in Fisher River Cree Nation

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we introduce readers to the Indigenous Wellbeing of Boys and Men project, a 4-year research collaboration between scholars from the Universities of Manitoba and British Columbia and Fisher River Cree Nation (Ochékwi Sipi). We overview the research design of the project, paying particular attention to the foundational strategies that informed the research process. These strategies included, embedding the project within an Indigenous paradigm, rooting it within the place-specific context of Fisher River Cree Nation, and creating a community-wide and intergenerational dialogue about Indigenous physical cultures and masculinities. We then examine the first phase of the project, which involved sharing circles, to illustrate how these strategies informed the research process. We argue that this design enabled critical insights on the role that physical culture can potentially play in maintaining and revitalising place-specific Indigenous masculinities. This paper brings the burgeoning scholarship in Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous masculinities into conversation with the work in physical cultural studies and, in so doing, makes important contributions to each disciplinary area.

KEYWORDS:

• Indigenous masculinities
• physical culture
• place-based
• Indigenous methodologies

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the peer reviewers for their thoughtful comments on earlier versions of this paper, as well as Fisher River Cree Nation for their ongoing support of this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The smudge is part of a sacred ceremony practiced by many Indigenous cultures of North America (Turtle Island). The smudge is a cleansing ceremony where medicines are burned for the purpose of removing negative energies and opening the self up to multiple relations. In the case of the Muskéko Ininiwak (Swampy Cree) of Fisher River Cree Nation, tobacco and sweetgrass are the most common medicines burned.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada [Grant number 430-2014-126].

Notes on contributors

M. E. Norman

Moss Norman is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on the intersections of health, masculinity and embodiment. Recently, his work has shifted to the relationship between physical culture and Indigenous resurgence.

M. A. Hart

Michael Hart is the Vice-Provost for Indigenous Engagement at the University of Calgary. In his previous position, Michael held a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledges and Social Work. Michael is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation.

L. Petherick

LeAnne Petherick is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of British Columbia. Her research areas include physical and health education, gender and culture.

H. McRae

Heather McRae is the Community Scholar for Indigenous Achievement in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba. Her community-based research focuses on fostering culturally relevant programming for Indigenous youth.

G. Mason

Gerald Mason is an Indigenous land-based educator at Charles Sinclair School in Fisher River Cree Nation. He is a community scholar and a recipient of the Indspire award (2013) for his land-based programming. He is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation.

A. Cote

Angie Cote is a certified professional trainer and cultural worker for the University College of the North (The Pas Campus). She was the former director of recreation for Fisher River Cree Nation. She is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation.

S. Cote

Sheldon Cote is a knowledge keeper and spiritual teacher. He is an elder and traditional teacher at the University of Manitoba. Sheldon is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation.

C. Sinclair

Cynthia Sinclair works at the Ochékwi Sipi Personal Care Home. She is the community project coordinator for the Indigenous Wellbeing of Boys and Men project. She holds a bachelor degree from the University of Manitoba. Cynthia is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation.