Foulds' Research Lab

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan along with Mr. Scott Duffee, (Métis Cultural Consultant and Jigging Instructor), in collaboration with members of Li Toneur Niimiyitoohk Métis Dance Group, are conducting a study about physical fitness requirements and exercise intensity of Métis Red River Jigging.
You are invited to be a participant in the study if you are:
- Between the ages of 18 and 50
- Who have not been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease (heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, angina, etc.) by their physician
- Are not pregnant.
- Can dance the “Double Step”
- Are able to perform at least 8 changes of the Red River Jig
The study involves attending 2 sessions at the University of Saskatchewan Merlis Belsher Place or Physical Activity Complex estimated to take 1-2 hours per session. The first session involves physical fitness testing, including a progressive fitness test to your maximum effort. The second session, involves dancing the Red River Jig for as many changes as you can (8-30 changes, up to 10 minutes).
Your participation will take about 2-4 hours over the 2 visits and you will receive an honorarium of $50 for each visit ($100 total) for participating in the study.
If you are interested and would like some further information please feel free to contact the principal investigator Dr. Heather Foulds, research assistants Jamie Lafleur and Samantha Moore, or student researchers Shara Johnson, Inioluwa Olaleye and Sohrina Sidhu at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067).

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀

Principal Investigator Dr. Heather Foulds and Co-Investigators Drs. Phil Chilibeck, Carol Rodgers, Alison Oates and Joel Lanovaz from the College of Kinesiology and Dr. Sarah Oosman from the School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan and Mr. Scott Duffee, Métis Cultural Consultant and Jigging Instructor, in collaboration with members of Li Toneur Niimiyitoohk Métis Dance Group, are conducting a study about Red River Jigging.
We are looking for individuals:
1. At least 18 years of age
2. Have experience dancing the Red River Jig, including the “Double Step” at some point in their lives
The study involves completing a short questionnaire and participating in a group interview held either through remote technologies, such as phone, Skype, Webex, Microsoft Outlook meeting, as you are comfortable, or when possible or at the University of Saskatchewan Merlis Belsher Place at the Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Center. You will be asked to share your experiences of Red River Jigging, how you feel when you are jigging and how Red River Jigging might influence your health.
Your participation will take about 1-2 hours and you will receive an honorarium for participating in the study.
If you are interested and would like some further information please feel free to contact the research team at [email protected].
You may also contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Heather Foulds at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067).

Health Benefits of Professional or Competitive Red River Jigging or Square Dancing

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in collaboration with Red River Jigging and Square Dancing instructors are conducting a study about the health benefits of Professional or Competitive Red River Jigging or Square Dancing.
You are invited to be a participant in the study if you:
1. 18 years and older
2. Are active in Red River Jigging competitions or Square Dance groups that perform
professionally
3. Who have not been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease (heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, angina, etc.) by their physician
4. Are not pregnant.
5. Are cleared for unrestricted physical activity
The study involves attending 7 health assessment sessions at the University of Saskatchewan: 5 health and fitness assessments at 5 time-points throughout the course of a year, and 2 muscle and bone assessments at the beginning and end of the study. The health and fitness assessments will require visits to Merlis Belsher Place (2-3 hours each, 5 visits total). The muscle and bone assessments will require visits to the Physical Activity Complex (40-60 min each, 2 total). The health and fitness assessments involve physical fitness testing, including a maximal treadmill test, and assessments of your grip strength, jump height, flexibility and balance, answering questions about your health experiences and behaviours, an optional finger sample blood test of your cholesterol and blood sugar, an optional urine sample of proteins assessing your diabetes risk, measurements of your heart rate and blood pressure to
assess the health of your blood vessels, and measures of your height, weight and waist circumference.
The muscle and bone assessments include measures of your bone density, muscle quality, muscle mass and body composition.
Your participation will take about 12-17 hours over the 7 total visits, and you will receive compensation in appreciation of your time.
If you are interested and would like some further information, please feel free to contact the principal investigator Dr. Heather Foulds, research assistants Jamie LaFleur or Samantha Moore, at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067)

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲́𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in collaboration with Saskatoon Métis Local 126, are conducting a study to identify Métis specific cultural and social determinants of cardiovascular health.
You are invited to be a participant in the study if you:
1. Are 18 years and older
2. Identify as Métis and descend from historic Métis Nation
3. Are not pregnant.
4. Are cleared for unrestricted physical activity
The study involves attending 2 health assessment sessions at the University of Saskatchewan Merlis Belsher Place and Physical Activity Complex. The first assessment is estimated to take 2-2.5 hours and the second approximately 40-60 minutes. All first health assessment sessions involve physical fitness testing, including a walking test, and assessments of your grip strength, jump height, flexibility and balance, answering questions about your health experiences and behaviours, a finger sample blood test of your cholesterol and blood sugar, a urine sample diabetes marker, measurements of your heart rate and blood pressure at multiple places on your body. The second health assessment includes scans of your bone density and muscle quality, and body/muscle mass composition.
Your participation will take about 3-4 hours over the 2 visits, and you will receive an honorarium in appreciation for participating in the study.
If you are interested and would like some further information, please feel free to contact the principal investigator Dr. Heather Foulds, research assistants Jamie LaFleur or Samantha Moore, or student researchers Shara Johnson or Jenna Willie at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067).

Symbolism of Health

Principal Investigator Dr. Heather Foulds and Co-Investigators Drs. Leah Ferguson and Adam McInnes from the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Métis Local 126 are conducting a study on cardiovascular (CV) health of Métis Peoples.
We are looking for individuals:
- 18 years and older
- Identify as Métis and descend from historic Métis Nation
The study involves 2 group or individual conversational interviews held either remotely through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, in person at the University of Saskatchewan Merlis Belsher Place, or by telephone based on your preference. You can change your preference of group vs individual or remote vs in-person between interviews. There will also be a 2-week symbol-based exercise between the interviews. The first interview asks you to share your experiences relating to gender, cultural identity, social support, and physical and mental health factors influencing your CV health and well-being. The symbol-based exercise invites you to identify or create a symbol representing your experiences of gender, cultural identity, social support, and physical and mental health factors related to your CV health and well-being. This symbol may include paintings, drawings, sculptures, crafts, songs, teachings, photographs, and stories. It should be something meaningful or significant in explaining your health experience, which could also be a physical item like moccasins or a water bottle. The second interview invites you to reflect, share, interpret, and elaborate on your symbol.
Your participation will take about 5-6 hours over 4 weeks, and you will receive an honorarium for each interview.
If you are interested and would like further information, please contact Dr. Heather Foulds, research assistants/technicians Samantha Moore or Jamie LaFleur, or student researcher Shara Johnson at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067).
This research project has been approved on ethical grounds by the University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board.

Wellness in Métis Dance

Principal Investigator Dr. Heather Foulds and Co-Investigators Drs. Phil Chilibeck, Carol Rodgers, Leah Ferguson from the College of Kinesiology and Dr. Sarah Oosman from the School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan and Mr. Scott Duffee, Métis Cultural Consultant and Jigging Instructor, in collaboration with members of Li Toneur Niimiyitoohk Métis Dance Group, are conducting a study about experiences of Métis and Non-Indigenous adults learning Métis Dancing.
We are looking for individuals:
- At least 18 years of age
- Have participated in at least four Métis dance classes in the past year including Red River Jigging, Métis Square Dancing, or Métis Social Dances
- You have heritage from the historic Métis Nation OR do not identify as or descend from Indigenous Peoples of North America (i.e., Métis, First Nations, Inuit, Alaskan Native, American Indian)
- Have not participated in an interview as part of this study within the same calendar year
The study involves completing a short questionnaire and participating in a conversational interview held either through remote technologies, such as phone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams as you are comfortable, or at the University of Saskatchewan Merlis Belsher Place at the Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Center. You will be asked to share your experiences of learning Métis Dances, how you feel when you dance and what learning to dance has meant for you.
Your participation will take about 45-90 minutes and you will receive an honorarium for participating in the study.
If you are interested and would like some further information please feel free to contact the Principal Investigator Dr. Heather Foulds or research assistants at the University of Saskatchewan ([email protected]; 306-966-1067).
This study has been reviewed and received ethics approval through University of Saskatchewan Behavioural Research Ethics Board.