‘Research is like English as a second dialect’: community members’ perspectives of promising practices for physical activity-focused community-based participatory research

ABSTRACT

Participatory approaches, such as community-based participatory research (CBPR), have become more common in the physical activity literature over the last two decades. As well, there has been an increase in the number of published studies that have documented the use of such approaches when engaging in research with Indigenous peoples. However, published studies tend to focus on the results of research, and the processes of how to successfully engage in such research are rarely described. Drawing upon the expertise of Indigenous community members, the purpose of this study was to identify promising practices for engaging in physical activity-focused CBPR in northern Indigenous communities in Canada. Eight community members who were part of a larger CBPR project engaged in one-on-one semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim; content analysis was employed to analyse transcripts. The perspectives of community members are represented by five themes: (a) foundational understanding of colonialism, (b) ‘research is like English as a second dialect’, (c) build purposeful relationships, (d) efficiency with local leadership, and (e) need for consistency. Community members shared examples of shortcomings and success stories related to the ways in which they have been involved in research, and subsequently highlighted specific suggestions and promising practices for physical activity-focused CBPR. The experiences of community members must be heard and understood to ensure CBPR projects are respectful and relevant.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical literacy
• sport
• Indigenous
• Canada
• north
• ethics
• qualitative
• youth

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all of the community members for sharing their perspectives and contributing to the advancement of the CBPR literature. We would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the research team, including community members, research assistants, and community support personnel, for your ongoing commitment to support this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a contract from the Government of the Northwest Territories (#GNWT1 SC0000000000000000000000842); and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Grant #: 435-2018-0568)

Notes on contributors

K. Schreiner

K. Schreiner was an Undergraduate Research Practicum student in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta during the time of this study. She is currently a physical therapy student at the University of British Columbia, studying in the Northern cohort located on unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, part of the Dakelh (Carrier) First Nation. Her research interests are focused on enhancing culturally safe practices in physical therapy and health research processes with Indigenous peoples.

J. C. Spence

J. C. Spence is a professor at the University of Alberta, located on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people. He has expertise in the area of behavioural medicine and research methods. His research focuses on both the benefits and determinants of physical activity and how physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour influence health.

J. B. Davie

J. B. Davie is a master’s degree graduate from the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta, located on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis peoples. Her research areas of interest are physical activity and mental health as well as recognising the connection between these two areas. She is of First Nations descent and her family is from Old Masset Village Council.

J. A. Stearns

J. A. Stearns is a Research and Evaluation Manager for the Housing for Health Project at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on how psychosocial factors and the physical environment can shape the healthy living behaviours of youth and older adults.

T.-L.F McHugh

T.-L.F McHugh is a professor at the University of Alberta, located on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people. Her program of research is broadly focused on enhancing the sport, physical activity, and body image experiences of women and youth, particularly girls and Indigenous youth. Drawing upon qualitative and community-based participatory research approaches, her research provides an in-depth exploration of the psychosocial aspects of such experiences.