Sport, Self-esteem, and Identity among Indigenous Individuals and Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v18i2.838Keywords:
Cultural Engagement, Traditional Games, Wholistic, Well-being, Indigenous, Wellness, Physical Activity, Media Representation, Self-esteem, Self-identityAbstract
Background: Within Indigenous communities, sports hold prominent importance in cultures and traditions, serving not only as a means of imparting valuable skills but also contributing to mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Sports enhance one’s sport-related competencies while also having links to an individual’s feelings of self-esteem and self-identity. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between sports participation, self-esteem, and identity within North American Indigenous communities, with an emphasis on Indigenous communities in Canada. Methods: A narrative review of existing literature, along with an environmental scan, was employed. Results: Sports create robust community ties, nurturing a sense of belonging and elevating self-esteem among Indigenous individuals. The integration of traditional Indigenous sports and teachings amplifies authenticity in self-esteem, validating personal identities and cultural values. Accurate representation of Indigenous athletes in media enhances self-efficacy and elicits collective pride and resilience, strengthening Indigenous peoples and communities’ sense of identity. Conclusion: Three key findings highlight ways that participation in sports supports self-esteem and identity among Indigenous peoples and communities: connections to community and meaningful relationships, engagement in traditional Indigenous sports, and accurate representation of Indigenous athletes in the media.
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