Our group takes a community-based, social justice approach to sport and physical culture. Primarily using the qualitative tradition, we research issues related to health, embodiment, place, gender and Indigenity.
Left to right: Moss, Heather, Leanne
Projects
Fisher River Cree Nation Project
An Intergenerational Examination of Indigenous Physical Cultures and Masculinities (aka, Indigenous Wellbeing of Boys and Men)
This project uses physical culture (i.e., sport, physical activity, and human movement) as a lens for examining place-specific Indigenous masculinities within Fisher River Cree Nation. Physical activity and exercise are often narrowly conceptualized in terms of their mental and physical health benefits. However, this project shows that the resurgence of place-specific Indigenous physical cultural practices has the potential to decolonize Indigenous identities, foster inter-generational mentoring relations, revitalize Cree values, roles and responsibilities, all of which nurture holistic Cree ways of living well. Working in close collaboration with the community, this project was organized around repeating cycles of knowledge gathering and community sharing. Methods used in this study include sharing circles, intergenerational interviews, a community feast and a community cultural heritage camp. In collaboration with Fisher River Cree Nation and Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC), we are currently working on a book that features Elders’ stories of local physical cultural practices. This project was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
People
Moss Norman
Research Interests:
I am white settler scholar of European heritage. I use a socio-cultural approach to the study the intersection between physical culture, youth and gender. I also study body shape and size and its relationship to health using a critical fatness studies lens. Recently, my research has focused on the relationship between Indigenous masculinity and physical culture, with a focus on the place-specific context of Fisher River Cree Nation (Manitoba).
Michael Hart
I am a citizen of Fisher River Cree Nation and I am a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge in Social Work at the University of Manitoba. I have published widely in the area of Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous approaches to healing and social work. In June of 2018 I will become the Vice Provost of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Calgary.
LeAnne Petherick
I am a white settler scholar in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of British Columbia. I have expertise in physical cultural pedagogies for children and youth. I use feminist theory, critical race studies, and increasingly Critical Indigenous Studies to inform my examination of Health and Physical Education curricula and praxis. More recently, my work has also advocated for more culturally responsive pedagogical practices in health and physical activity curriculum and programming for Indigenous children and youth.
Heather McRae
I am a Metis scholar and the Community Scholar for Indigenous Achievement at the University of Manitoba. My research focuses on creating culturally relevant physical activity and leadership opportunities for urban and rural Indigenous youth. I am actively involved in Indigenous achievement both in the community (e.g., Traditional Aboriginal Games Workshops) and on the university campus (e.g., Pow Wow Club), and I sit on numerous committees, including as the Chair for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management’s Working Group on Indigenous Achievement and on the Gaa wii ji’i diyaang [walking together, helping each other] group.
Cynthia Sinclair
Cynthia Sinclair is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation and she has worked on the Indigenous Wellbeing of Boys and Men project since November of 2016. Cynthia is the Community Research Coordinator and in this capacity she organizes all research-related activities in the community, including recruiting participants, scheduling interviews, managing data, and communicating with university researchers and community partners. Cynthia has an undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba with plans to further her education and works at Ochekwi-Sipi Personal Care Home.
Tahir Mawji
I am a second generation immigrant of South Asian descent, studying at the University of British Columbia. I pursue my interests through a diverse range of subjects, from systems physiology to sport sociology. As a research assistant on the team, I assist with literature analysis, data transcription as well as knowledge mobilization and translation.
Kristin (Krissy) Mowatt
Kristin is from Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation on Cree territory, what is now known as Treaty 5 land in northern Manitoba. She has been working on the project formally since October 2018. Her research interest lies in improving the holistic health of Indigenous communities through fostering community-care and cultural resurgence.
Christine Pang
Having always been active, I was excited to begin my kinesiology degree to learn about the human body, but little did I know that human movement would mean so much more than just muscles and anatomical planes. Having been introduced to the various disciplines of kinesiology through working as a personal trainer and at teaching classes at UBC Bodyworks, I developed a more well-rounded understanding of kinesiology. It is not just the study of how we move, but it also psychological, sociocultural, biomechanical reasons for why we move the way we do. I enrolled in a directed studies in the Neural Control of Posture and Movement Lab and also joined Dr. Moss Norman’s research group as a research assistant to explore my passion for research in both the sociocultural and physical aspects of movement. Research has been the “cherry on top” of my undergraduate experience and has redefined my role as a lifelong learner. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of individuals on projects regarding Indigenous hockey and sport, and I am excited to see where research will take me next!
Publications
Dr. Moss Norman’s publications can be viewed on Google Scholar.
Opportunities
To discuss opportunities please contact Dr. Norman at moss.norman@ubc.ca. For details on the School of Kinesiology’s graduate programs and how to apply please see here.
Contact Us
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