‘My spirit is fed’: Exploring land-based, culturally appropriate active living strategies to facilitate holistic well-being among on-reserved youth: A Smart Platform study

Abstract

A constructivist grounded theory approach with an Indigenous lens was used for a qualitative analysis of questions on culture, mental health, physical activity, and land-based activities. This analysis was undertaken as a part of the Smart Platform: Smart Indigenous Youth (SIY) project. The goals of the SIY were to increase physical activity using a cultural land-based active living intervention along with a technological component through an app. This thesis focused on the impact of the intervention on the mental health of on-reserve Indigenous youth in southern Saskatchewan; eleven on-reserve Indigenous youth shared their perceptions in focus groups before and after participating in the land-based intervention and thematic data analysis was performed. Themes included keeping culture going, community and cultural aspects of physical activity, and the importance of schools as key locations for reconnecting with culture. A theory of Indigenous identity was developed to provide insight into the complicated aspects in reconnecting with culture, especially the pressure, obligation, and responsibility that Indigenous youth feel towards passing on Indigenous culture. A notable finding was the improvement in mental health reported by participants after participating in the land-based intervention. Policy recommendations include the importance of early childhood access to cultural programs, the necessity of a mental health component as a part of land-based programs, and the need for inclusivity in land-based program teachings.