Grant: Cat. Gr.: Indig. Appr. to Wellness Research - Wellness in musculoskeletal health

Using experiential learning through the traditional activity of hunting on the land, Mâcîpiciw: Restoration of Indigenous men's roles and responsibilities, will explore Indigenous men's relationships to their health and wellbeing. Framed in a cultural intervention that integrates Nehiyaw (Cree) teachings of boys' and men's roles and responsibilities. The research process will be framed around a moose hunt - activities under examination include preparing for the hunt (e.g., training, teachings, prayers, songs, ceremonies), going to the land (e.g., orientation to the land, delegation of roles and responsibilities on the team, working together), and after the hunt (e.g., taking care of the harvested animal and/or determining what to do differently next time). The research questions related to how men experience engaging with the land and one another, how their relationship to themselves is changed, and explore what they might do differently to encourage wellness in their lives. Data will be collected through group interviews - in some cases these may be sharing circles - and observation by research team members will be used to provide a thick, rich description of the context of the research process, including the dynamics of the group and the nuances of taking the research to the land. The intention of this catalyst project is to lay a foundation for implementing a more comprehensive program - focused on men's and boys' traditional roles - to determine the impact Cultural Intervention Practices in general can influence experiences of health and wellbeing over time and to amplify the impacts of this project for urban Indigenous Peoples living in Regina.