Open AccessSport for Indigenous resurgence: Toward a critical settler-colonial reflection
Author(s) -
Mariana Essa,
Alexandra Arellano,
Stephen A. Stuart,
Stephen Sheps
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international review for the sociology of sport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1461-7218
pISSN - 1012-6902
DOI - 10.1177/10126902211005681
Subject(s) - indigenous , colonialism , criticism , reflexivity , agency (philosophy) , sociology , politics , status quo , field (mathematics) , pace , gender studies , political science , environmental ethics , social science , geography , law , ecology , philosophy , mathematics , geodesy , pure mathematics , biology
This article examines the field of sport for development (SFD) while considering Indigenous resurgence amidst Canada’s neoliberal settler-colonial landscape. While sharing challenges encountered within their practice, program staff from the Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth program revealed high levels of constructive self-criticism and reflexivity. There are three emergent themes, the adoption of which appeared essential for transforming the sector in recognition of Indigenous resurgence: growth and pace; Indigenous agency and knowledge; and political engagement. Grounded in settler colonialism and resurgence, this paper also reflects on the field of SFD and what it would mean to decolonize the practice. The article concludes by asking if non-Indigenous scholars can study SFD by subverting the colonial status quo that is also reproduced in this research field.