Empowering Change: Harnessing the Power of Sport and Traditional Games for Inuit Youth
Inuit communities face one of the highest suicide rates in Canada, with rates ranging from five to 25 times the national average. As practitioners dedicated to creating better outcomes for children, it is crucial to explore innovative, culturally relevant strategies to combat this crisis. Recent research highlights the potential of sport and traditional Inuit games as effective tools in suicide prevention strategies.
The Role of Sport and Traditional Games
Sport and traditional games have long been a part of Inuit culture, offering more than just physical activity. They are avenues for cultural expression, community bonding, and mental health improvement. Despite their potential, these activities have been largely overlooked in current Inuit suicide prevention strategies.
Inuit athletes like Eekeeluak Avalak and Jordin Tootoo have shared how sports provided them with an outlet for their emotions and a sense of belonging, which were crucial in their personal battles against mental health challenges. These narratives underscore the importance of integrating sports and traditional games into mental health initiatives.
Benefits and Challenges
Youth participation in sports and traditional games can lead to numerous benefits, including improved self-esteem, social interactions, and reduced depressive symptoms. However, practitioners must be aware of potential drawbacks, such as injuries and the risk of harassment, which could exacerbate mental health issues.
To maximize benefits, it is essential to ensure that sports programs are culturally safe and tailored to the unique needs of Inuit youth. This involves understanding the historical context of sports in Inuit communities and avoiding the imposition of non-Indigenous practices that may not align with Inuit values.
Implementing Culturally Safe Approaches
For sports and traditional games to be effective in suicide prevention, they must be implemented in a culturally safe manner. This means developing programs that are community-driven, evidence-based, and supported by sustainable funding structures. The federal government's Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) funding program could be a valuable resource in this endeavor.
Practitioners should focus on creating environments where Inuit youth feel valued and understood. This involves training coaches and program leaders to prioritize cultural safety and to foster an inclusive atmosphere where all participants can thrive.
Moving Forward
By integrating sport and traditional games into Inuit suicide prevention strategies, practitioners can help promote cultural continuity, mental wellness, and a sense of community among Inuit youth. While these activities alone cannot solve the suicide crisis, they can serve as important protective factors when combined with comprehensive, multi-faceted approaches.
To further explore the potential of sport and traditional games in Inuit suicide prevention, practitioners are encouraged to engage in further research and collaborate with Inuit communities to develop tailored interventions.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Are sport and traditional Inuit games identified as tools in current Inuit suicide prevention strategies?: A content analysis.
