KidsAction (http://kidsaction.ca) is an evidence-informed coaching approach to support children with exceptionalities (medical model: ‘disabilities’) excel in community-based physical activity programs. We co-designed KidsAction with families, community groups and Indigenous partners to ensure cultural safety and high relevance to end users, and to address existing gaps.
This BC-based project aims to adapt the KidsAction approach for use in Indigenous cultural dance programs. By blending Western and Indigenous ways of knowing throughout the process, our team hopes to improve the way research is done, by drawing from the strengths of each approach. Anticipated outcomes include individualized goal achievement (e.g., physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and cultural health outcomes) for children/youth, strengthened ties to culture, reduced barriers to developing physical literacy, and community capacity building for sustainability.
Our team is co-led by Principal Investigator (PI) Stephanie Glegg (UBC-Vancouver) and Lise Olsen (UBC-Okanagan) in partnership with Indigenous team members Tara Nault (Métis), Symbia Barnaby (Haida, Mikmaq) and Dayna Nelson (Nisga’a), and co-investigator Jill Zwicker (UBC-V). Future scale-up planning will be supported by national partners outside BC.