Considerations for Designing Indigenous Coach Education

in International Sport Coaching Journal

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Joseph John Gurgis Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport, Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS, Canada

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9311-0951 *
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Bettina Callary Department of Experiential Studies in Community and Sport, Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS, Canada

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7470-3487
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Levi Denny Mi’kmaq Sport Performance Coordinator, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, Membertou, NS, Canada

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2022-0061
Keywords:
Indigenous coaching; Mi’kmaw First Nation; decolonization; two-eyed seeing
First Published Online:
09 Jan 2023
In Print:
Volume 10: Issue 2
Page Range:
244–253
Restricted access

This study used a participatory action research approach to explore the criteria for collaboratively designing culturally relevant Indigenous coach education with Indigenous sport stakeholders from Nova Scotia, Canada. Fourteen Mi’kmaw sport stakeholders, including six coaches (three men and three women), seven administrators (five men and two women), and one Elder (man), participated in the study through methods including online semistructured interviews, unstructured interviews, and focus group discussions to explore their perspectives of how to develop culturally relevant Indigenous coach education. The findings suggest the purpose of designing culturally relevant Indigenous coach education is to enhance cultural pride and support Indigenous coach development. Participants believed these objectives could be fulfilled by addressing topics such as Mi’kmaq culture and history, as well as colonialism. The preferred methods of delivering content included facilitating experiences, storytelling, and mentoring. The findings are interpreted relative to the Calls to Action advanced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as well as the existing literature on Indigenous coaching and learning. Finally, the Mi’kmaq framework of two-eyed seeing is used to advocate for the bridging of Indigenous and Western perspectives, as a means of decolonizing coach education.

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