Sport and Indigenous Children and Youth

The primary target audience of the Hope and Health Initiative is our Indigenous children and youth (up to age 29), inclusive of those whom are living away from home and/or out of their home community involved in the foster care system.

We exist to bring access to sport for development and social impact opportunities to our youth and to develop in community coaches so all may benefit from our “champions for life” holistic development model.

The Risks

Indigenous children and youth are the most vulnerable members of Canadian society, impacted by multiple challenging social determinants of health which result in them being over-represented in foster care, at higher risk for suicide, addiction and domestic violence. 

Current research indicates the following realities for Indigenous children and youth:

  • There are currently over 4,450 Indigenous Children and Youth living in Foster Care in BC.

  • That’s over 52% of the foster child population, when Indigenous children are only 8% of the BC child population.

  • Suicide rates for Indigenous youth are 6 times higher than for those of non-Aboriginal youth.

  • The high-school dropout rate for Indigenous students is 2 times the rate for non-Indigenous students.

  • Indigenous female youth are 3.5 times more likely to experience violence than their non-Indigenous counterparts.

The Obstacles

The limited research that focuses on the impact sport and physical activity has on Indigenous youth suggests Indigenous youth experience many challenges accessing sports systems because of Euro-Canadian structures and values (Strachan, McHugh, Mason, 2018; Halas et al, 2012; Gardam, K., Giles, A., Hayhurst, 2017). Burners et al (2016) data suggest many Indigenous youth experience constraints to participating in sports such as experiencing racism, economic barriers, and marginalization. Also, Bruner et al (2015) and Halas et al (2012) both argued Indigenous youth living on reserve face barriers to physical activities to do infrastructure and equipment implications. For example, Halas et al (2012) stated “of Canada’s 803 on reserve schools, only 49 percent were in good condition with fully operating gymnasiums… and often closed after school” (p. 188). Many Indigenous youth are unable to attend sport or recreation groups due to financial barriers and/or lack of transportation.

The Opportunity

Benefits of Sports and Recreation for Youth:

  • Reduces risk of addictive behaviors and improves mental health (Mason et al., 2018).

  • Enhances academic achievement through participation in sports-related activities (Manson et al., 2018).

  • Improves psychological functioning and strengthens peer relationships (McHugh et al., 2019).

Impact of Sports on Indigenous Youth:

  • Supports identity exploration and personal growth (McHugh et al., 2019).

  • Develops initiative, emotional control, and social skills, fostering resilience.

  • Teaches core personal and social values such as courage, respect, and honesty (Lavallée & Lévesque, 2013).

  • Encourages positive relationship-building with coaches and peers, leading to increased resiliency (Strachan, McHugh & Mason, 2018).

The Power of Sports in Mental Health and Community Building:

  • Builds confidence and a stronger sense of self in youth.

  • Acts as a protective factor against youth suicide in Indigenous communities (Tatz, 2012).

    • 25% decrease in depression rates among youth who participate in sports.

    • 12% decrease in suicidal thoughts linked to sports involvement.

Indigenous Youth: A Key Part of Canada's Future

  • Indigenous youth continue to experience intergenerational trauma and must overcome challenges to succeed.

  • They play a crucial role in Canada’s reconciliation efforts and social and economic development.

  • Fastest-growing youth population:

    • The number of Indigenous youth aged 15 to 30 increased by 39% from 2006 to 2016, compared to just over 5% for non-Indigenous youth.
      (Source: Canada’s First State of Youth Report: For Youth, With Youth, By Youth)

“I think there are a lot of things that soccer does in the communities that transcend the soccer field.”
— Brandi Chastain

References

Aguiar, W. & Halseth, R. (2015). Aboriginal peoples and Historic Trauma: The process of  intergenerational transmission. Prince George, BC: National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health 

Bruner, M. W., Hillier, S., Baillie, C. P., Lavallée, L. F., Bruner, B. G., Hare, K., . . . Lévesque, L. (2016). Positive youth development in Aboriginal physical activity and sport: A systematic review. Adolescent Research Review, 1, 257–269. doi:10.1007/s40894015-0021-9 

Fast, E. & Collin-Venzina, D. (2010). Historical trauma, race-based trauma and resilience of  Indigenous peoples: A literature review. First Peoples Child & Family Review. 5(1). Pp.126-136. Retrieved from: https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/online-journal/vol5num1/Fast-Collin-Vezina_pp126.pdf

Gardam, K., Giles, A., Hayhurst, M. (2017). Sport for development for Aboriginal youth in Canada: A scoping review. Journal of Sport for Development. 2017;5(8). pp. 30-40.  Retrieved from https://jsfd.org/2017/04/30/sport-for-development-for-aboriginal-youth-.in-canada-a-scoping-review/

Lavalle´e, L., & Le´vesque, L. (2013). Two-eyed seeing: physical activity, sport, and recreation promotion in Indigenous communities. In J. Forsyth & A. Giles (Eds.), Aboriginal peoples and sport in Canada (pp. 206–233). Victoria, BC: UBC Press.

Mason, C., McHugh., Strachan, L. & Boule, K. (2018). Urban Indigenous youth perspective on access to physical activity programmes in Canada. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 11(5). Pp 1-17. Doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2018.1514321

Mason, C., McHugh, T., Strachan, L. and Mason. (2018). Understanding positive youth development in sport through the voices of Indigenous youth. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 40(6). Pp. 293-302. Doi: http://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2018-0035

McHugh, T., Deal, C., Blye, C., Dimler, A., Halpenny, E. Sivak, A. & Holt, N. (2019). A meta-study of qualitative research examining sport and recreation experiences of Indigenous youth. Qualitative Health Research. 29(1). Pp. 42-54. Doi: 10.1177/1049732318759668

Nelson, A., Abbott, R. & Macdonald, D. (2010). Indigenous Australians and physical activity: Using a social ecological model to review the literature. Health Education Research. 25(3). Pp 498-509. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyq025

Tatz, C. (2012). Aborigines, sport and suicide. Sports in Society. 15(7). p 922-935. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2012.723352