International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | An Interview with One of the Authors—Dr. Heather Foulds

Name: Dr. Heather Foulds
Affiliation: College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada
Research interests: indigenous health and wellbeing; métis dance; indigenous people’s physical activity; determinants of health; cardiovascular physiology; women’s physical activity and health

“The Effects of the Red River Jig on the Wholistic Health of Adults in Saskatchewan”
by Nisha K. Mainra, Samantha J. Moore, Jamie LaFleur, Alison R. Oates, Gavin Selinger, Tayha Theresia Rolfes, Hanna Sullivan, Muqtasida Fatima and Heather J. A. Foulds
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081225
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/8/1225

The following is a short interview with Dr. Heather Foulds:

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
   My name is Heather Foulds, and I am a Métis associate professor in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan. I am a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Wholistic Health and Well-Being Through Physical Activity for Indigenous Peoples, so a lot of my research focuses on Indigenous health and Indigenous physical activity, such as Métis dancing.
2. Your recent study highlights the Red River Jig as more than just physical exercise. Could you share how this traditional dance uniquely contributes to holistic health in ways that conventional workouts might not?
   We have been having Red River Jigging classes open to anybody. So, there are Métis people participating, non-Indigenous people participating, as well as First Nations peoples. We have been measuring health from a more wholistic perspective. In this study, we measured blood pressure, weight, pulse wave velocity, heart rate variability, and baroreceptor sensitivity. In addition, we also looked at the different quadrants of the medicine wheel, such as health and well-being, so we have some mental well-being questionnaires, overall well-being questionnaires, and self-efficacy, to get that mental health perspective. We also looked at social health, such as social support and connections to family, friends, and the community. From a cultural perspective, we looked at connections to cultural identity, cultural affinity, exploration, and belonging. We found that the Red River Jig was helpful for physical health, but also from a mental and social health perspective. People had stronger connections and support with family and a better sense of community after the program. That was the most consistent and strongly indicated measure, which I think is not really a surprise to anyone who has done the dance before, because you build a community. It’s not just an exercise class where you’re just coming and leaving. There’s a whole community perspective of joining and engaging in the stories that go along with the dance. Lastly, mental memory has also improved for some people, which I think makes sense. The Red River Jig is a kind of dance where you remember steps, and traditionally, you can also alternate these steps. You have to remember what you’ve done and plan out what’s coming next, so that cognitive coordination is much more than just running on a treadmill or riding a bike.
3. Looking ahead, how do you see culturally grounded activities like the Red River Jig being integrated into broader physical activity recommendations, especially for Indigenous communities?
   This study provided opportunities for members of the Métis community in Saskatoon to engage in Red River Jigging beyond the scope of this study. Future studies in this area should engage large sample sizes and expand to include older individuals who may experience poorer health and well-being prior to the intervention, to further evaluate the wholistic health benefits of this dance.
4. For individuals or communities inspired to start similar programs, what is the most important first step or consideration to ensure the activity is safe, respectful, and beneficial?I think that if it starts from the community and the Métis people, then it carries those pieces—the community engagement, the connection, and the stories that go along with the dances. It is open to everyone, and if you find a connection or a group, then you’re more than welcome to engage and participate.
5. What motivated you to choose our journal for your submission? How would you characterize the experience during your publication journey?
   I received an email about a special call for IJERPH that outlined the scope that the manuscript fits into. So, I knew that we were working on this article, and IJERPH was where I wanted to submit it.
   I have also referenced the journal several times in my work. We received good reviews, and the publication time was fast, so overall I had a good experience.