Charting a Course for Culturally Responsive Physical Education

Overview & Synopsis

In this article, we explore the absence of understanding related to culturally responsive pedagogy in physical education for Aboriginal students. In so doing, we examine the limited literature related to culturally responsive physical education and the especially limited literature dedicated to Aboriginal students within physical education. Recognizing that this absence should present a very obvious concern for pre-service physical education teachers, in-service physical education teachers, teacher educators, and most importantly, Aboriginal students themselves, we borrow from the few most notable pedagogues who share our concern and offer a framework and suggestions for future practice and inquiry. We make these suggestions for future practice and inquiry with the wholehearted belief that a commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy can improve upon the immediate and long-term physical education experiences of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.