Understanding leadership's role in inclusive, culturally-appropriate recreation programming in K'atlodeeche First NationHay River Reserve and the town of Hay River, Northwest Territories

Abstract

This thesis employs Foucaultian and postcolonial theories to identify, discuss, and trouble discourses surrounding leadership styles in two communities in the Northwest Territories: the Town of Hay River and the nearby community of K'atlodeeche First Nation/Hay River Reserve. The thesis is composed of two papers. The first paper analyzes the tendency of lifeguards at the Hay River swimming pool to embody an authoritarian leadership style. Further, this paper discusses how an authoritarian leadership style can foster an unwelcoming environment for Aboriginal patrons. The second paper looks at Dene women's leadership in K'atlodeeche First Nation/Hay River Reserve's Summer Day Camp and discusses its impact on one particular Eurocanadian leader. Both papers shed light on the necessity for southern-based, Euro-Canadian recreation leaders to understand Aboriginal communities' practices and norms surrounding culturally appropriate ways of leading in order to plan and implement effective and inclusive programming.