The progressive integration of Canadian indigenous culture within a sport psychology bicultural research team

Abstract

Within the sport psychology community there is a growing interest regarding how to engage in culturally sensitive (and also relevant) research. A research collaboration among Laurentian University and Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve is reflected through indigenous strategies relevant in the intended community, including negotiation and consensus building, talking circles, culturally relevant analyses, active co-authoring, and overarching considerations that support de-colonization. Within this report we have shared our progressive integration of Wikwemikong’s cultural practices in successive multicultural projects. We have also proposed how, from our regional experiences in Near Northern Ontario (Canada), collaborators from other marginalized and mainstream communities might begin engaging in reflective bicultural sport psychology research while developing long-standing positive relations.