Moving beyond words: exploring the use of an arts-based method in Aboriginal community sport research

TLDR

Arts‑based methods, which capture emotional, sensory, and embodied knowledge, are increasingly used in social sciences but remain rare in sport research, highlighting a gap in understanding lived experiences beyond verbal approaches. This study aimed to evaluate an arts‑based approach as a participatory action research tool to generate locally resonant knowledge about Aboriginal athletes’ sport experiences in northeastern Ontario. Participants created mandala drawings to express Indigenous epistemology, followed by conversational interviews that deepened insight into the athletes’ experiences. The resulting images fostered community action by reinforcing the need for cultural connection during relocation and serving as an inspirational resource for aspiring athletes, demonstrating that arts‑based methods hold promise for community‑based sport research.

Abstract

In recognising the limitations of verbally based research methods for understanding and capturing the multidimensionality of lived experience, arts-based methods have been gaining ground within the social sciences. These methods embrace emotional, sensory, embodied and imaginative ways of knowing that lend to richer knowledge production and communication processes. Yet, these methods are rarely used in sport research. The purpose of the current project was to explore an arts-based method as a tool to facilitate participatory action research (PAR) and generate locally resonant knowledge about the sport experiences of Aboriginal community members in north-eastern Ontario, Canada. Mandala drawings were used to embrace an Indigenous epistemology and open up a culturally affirming space for Aboriginal athletes to share their experiences of sport relocation. Conversational interviews were then used to facilitate deeper understandings of the athletes' mandalas. The images contributed towards community action on two levels: (1) they affirmed a need for athletes to feel connected to their cultural community during relocation, therein reinforcing local efforts to support relocated athletes; and (2) they served as a resource for educating and inspiring other aspiring young athletes. The strengths and challenges of arts-based methods are discussed in relation to PAR. It is concluded that arts-based methods offer potential for community-based sport research, as these methods open up a diversity of art forms which can be adopted to reflect localised PAR processes and ways of knowing.