Posted by Sudbury Northern Life 
Robert Schinke, professor in the School of Human Kinetics at Laurentian University, has received the Canadian Sport Science Research Award for community research.
The co-authored paper with colleagues from Laurentian University and Wikwemikong is titled "The Adaptation Challenges and Strategies of Adolescent Aboriginal Athletes Competing Off Reserve."
The award-winning paper, one of only two sport science faculty papers receiving an award each year across Canada, is based on Schinke's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada - funded research project on culture-specific sport psychology.
Done in collaboration with the aboriginal community members of the Unceded First Nation Reserve of Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin Island, the four-year research focused on motivating youth participation in sport with and within a specific marginal culture.
The community-driven research used cultural context and traditional teachings to engage youth in sports as well as form leaders and role models who will continue on the sport tradition in their community.
The research results also reaffirmed the importance of understanding effective cross-cultural communication strategies between non-aboriginal and aboriginal athletes and sport psychologists to equally engage and empower the aboriginal athlete who competes in and outside of his community.
Others who have contributed to the paper are Dr. Mark Eys, professor in the School of Human Kinetics, Hope Yungblut, PhD student in human studies, Amy Blodgett, master's student in human kinetics, Randy Battochio, master's student in human development and PhD applicant, Stephen Ritchie, professor in the School of Human Kinetics and PhD student, and Patricia Pickard, also professor in the School of Human Kinetics.
The SIRC Research Award recognizes outstanding sport research in Canada. Acknowledging how sport research benefits the Canadian sporting community is the primary purpose of this award.
