Janice Forsyth

Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba  

janice forsyth

Director, Indigenous Studies
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology

Phone: 519-661-2111 ext. 87341
Email: jforsyt3@uwo.ca 
Website: https://janiceforsyth.ca

Physical culture has always been an important part of Indigenous lives, from ‘training’ for survival on the land, to keeping their ceremonies alive, to determining political alliances and building relations, or to have fun and be healthy. Currently, physical culture is often talked about as ‘sport’ but, in fact, it refers to a much broader range of movements that go well beyond organized physical activities to include any physical regimen that people think are important.

My research, rooted mostly in history and sociology, focuses on how Indigenous physical practices are tied to broader issues of culture, identity, decolonization, and health.

If Indigenous people are to reclaim their well-being, then it makes sense physical culture be part of those processes, and that we understand how those processes work.

I also work with governments and non-profits in policy and program development and evaluation, and am excited to bring my knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom.

Research Interests:

  • The history of Indigenous physical culture, and how it can be used to understand the history of Indigenous-settler relations in Canada

Education:

  • PhD, Socio-Cultural Study of Sport, Western University
  • MA, Sport History, Western University
  • BA, Honours, History, Western University

Publications:

Awards and Appointments:

  • Early Researcher Award (Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation), 2012
  • Senior Fellow, NEST (Network for Economic and Social Trends), 2019
  • Member, College of the Royal Society of Canada, 2019