Grant: Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants

University of Saskatchewan

$287,232.00

Nature's Way-Our Way: Engaging inTraditional Indigenous Ways of Beingas a Wholistic Path for PromotingWellness and Protecting Against theOnset of Chronic Disease Among EarlyYears Children

FY 2020-21

Summary

Background: Ongoing increases in chronic diseases, namely obesity and type 2 diabetes, amongCanadian children are largely attributed to modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity. Physicalliteracy, has been identified as the gateway to physical activity participation over the life course and isshown to support all aspects of child development. Further, evidence suggests that the earlier childrenare provided with opportunities to develop their physical literacy, the greater the health benefits. The vastmajority of existing physical literacy focused programs for early years children are delivered through theincorporation of westernized \activities and sports often delivered in urban settings. Thus, the primarypurpose of the proposed study is to partner with rural Indigenous and non-Indigenous families,educators and community leaders (Elders and Knowledge Keepers) to expand an early years focusedculturally representative physical literacy initiative (Nature's Way-Our Way) to rural communities. In turn,promoting the development of physical literacy, and increasing over all health, wellness and resiliencyamong Canadian early years children.Methods: A mixed methods design (using Indigenous and western research methods) will be employedto implement and evaluate the impact of the Nature's Way-Our Way initiative in rural communities acrossSaskatchewan. This research will be underpinned by an implementation science approach in conjunctionwith Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall’s Two-eyed Seeing model. Data collection will include one-on-oneinterviews and focus group held via sharing circle and direct assessment of children’s physical literacy.Impact: The proposed study will apply culturally meaningful approaches to developing physical literacyand promoting health and racial awareness among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, families,educators and communities. Further, the research team will ensure rural Indigenous and non-Indigenouscommunities take the lead in developing and implementing the initiative; in turn, increasing the long-termsustainability and impact of the initiative on children’s overall wellness and resiliency.

Department

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Program

Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants

Recipient

University of Saskatchewan

Location

Saskatchewan, Canada

Recipient Type

Academia

Type

Grant

Source

CIHR Funding Decisions Database

As published

438806

Name

Froehlich Chow Amanda L

Region

Saskatchewan

Country

Canada

Orgtype

Institution Paid; Research Institution

Prcname2

Special Cases

Projecttitle

Nature's Way-Our Way: Engaging inTraditional Indigenous Ways of Beingas a Wholistic Path for PromotingWellness and Protecting Against theOnset of Chronic Disease Among EarlyYears Children

Programtype2

Operating Grants

Orgnameinp2

University of Saskatchewan

Cihramount2

$287,232

Cihrequipment2

Programname2

Operating Grant: SickKids-CIHR-IHDCYH New Investigator Grants

Keyworddelim

Competitiondate

202007

Approvedterm2

3 yrs 0 mth

Pinamesdelim

Froehlich Chow, Amanda L

Approvedterm

3 ans 0 mois

Cihrcontribution2

Inst of Human Dev &Child &Yth~ $287,232~ $0~

Abstract

<html> <head> </head> <body> Background: Ongoing increases in chronic diseases, namely obesity and type 2 diabetes, amongCanadian children are largely attributed to modifiable risk factors, such as physical inactivity. Physicalliteracy, has been identified as the gateway to physical activity participation over the life course and isshown to support all aspects of child development. Further, evidence suggests that the earlier childrenare provided with opportunities to develop their physical literacy, the greater the health benefits. The vastmajority of existing physical literacy focused programs for early years children are delivered through theincorporation of westernized \activities and sports often delivered in urban settings. Thus, the primarypurpose of the proposed study is to partner with rural Indigenous and non-Indigenous families,educators and community leaders (Elders and Knowledge Keepers) to expand an early years focusedculturally representative physical literacy initiative (Nature's Way-Our Way) to rural communities. In turn,promoting the development of physical literacy, and increasing over all health, wellness and resiliencyamong Canadian early years children.Methods: A mixed methods design (using Indigenous and western research methods) will be employedto implement and evaluate the impact of the Nature's Way-Our Way initiative in rural communities acrossSaskatchewan. This research will be underpinned by an implementation science approach in conjunctionwith Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall’s Two-eyed Seeing model. Data collection will include one-on-oneinterviews and focus group held via sharing circle and direct assessment of children’s physical literacy.Impact: The proposed study will apply culturally meaningful approaches to developing physical literacyand promoting health and racial awareness among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, families,educators and communities. Further, the research team will ensure rural Indigenous and non-Indigenouscommunities take the lead in developing and implementing the initiative; in turn, increasing the long-termsustainability and impact of the initiative on children’s overall wellness and resiliency. </body> </html>

View source data CIHR Funding Decisions Database (Canadian Institutes of Health Research)