WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE CHCECE001 Develop cultural competence HLTHIR404B WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE

Acknowledgement of country In accordance with Aboriginal cultural protocol I would like to acknowledge the traditional descendants on whose land we stand today.

Purpose To provide knowledge and understanding of issues affecting Australian Indigenous societies and cultures, and Provide information to assist in affective communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Introduction Koori way First name Family name Origins

Quiz

Definition

Aboriginal Flag Torres Strait Islander Flag

Revisiting the Past

What is culture? What are some of it’s components?

Cultural awareness Awareness of cultures, Reflection of own bias Connection with your own culture

Cultural competence Applying knowledge, values and skills that respect and consider a persons cultural background and beliefs when doing your work.

Cultural safety The feeling or sense of safety that the client experiences when in contact with the service. People are empowered to make comment on their care, access an environment where their values and attitudes are respected and have involvement in how the service is delivered.

Creating a culturally safe environment Messages in the environment Visual welcomes Buildings Staffing

Colours of the day exercise

Within every cultural group there is diversity Within every cultural group there is diversity. Don’t assume everyone is the same.

What is culture?

Understanding Aboriginal Culture To understand Aboriginal people you need an awareness of their traditional and cultural belief systems. Even though some Aboriginal people today live in a contemporary society they still retain the respect and observance of the traditional belief system.

Torres Strait Islander culture

Ailan Kastom (Island Custom) Torres Strait

The Dreaming To Aboriginal people "The Dreaming" is the on going process of birth, life and death. Even in death a person returns to our place of Spiritual Dreaming. Aboriginal people do not view the Dreamtime and Dreaming as separate entities but as one, it is a continuous cycle.

The Dreaming cont ….

Occupation, Tribes and Languages Aboriginal people have occupied Australia for over 60,000 years. They are the oldest Indigenous race in the world. There are over 500 different tribal groups consisting of 750 Aboriginal dialects.

Europe

Aboriginal Language Map

Torres Strait Islands

Land Each group has its own clearly defined territory recognised by all its members. Held in sacred trust from generation to generation and respected. Traditional occupiers of the land knew intimately its physical features. Animals, plant life and water resources were maintained. Each group had its own laws based on the Dreaming.

Land Management

Ceremonies

Moiety (Marriage Laws)

Totems

Dance, Song, Stories, Art

Lore versus Law

Colonisation

Terra Nullius Australia was settled under the assumption of Terra Nullius. The reasoning for this idea is because Aboriginal people did not cultivate land in accordance with land tenure and it was assumed Aboriginal people did not have a law system in place that was equal to that of British Common Law.

Land Belonging to No-one Terra nullius is a Latin term for ‘land belonging to no-one’. According to international law of Europe in the late 18th century, there were only three ways that Britain could take possession of another country.

18th Century European Law If the country was uninhabited Ceded/Succession – Treaty Invasion or conquest

Impact of Colonisation Introduction of Diseases. Disruption to Aboriginal Economics. Massacres. Decimation of Aboriginal Traditional Way of Life. Loss of Land and Sacred Sites. Loss of Lore and Law.

Protecting the Natives

Aboriginal Protection Board

Living Under the ACT

Missions Life revolved around efforts to control or civilise Aboriginal people First Victorian established near Geelong 1836 1860 almost all Indigenous people in Victoria were placed on missions Some missions were run as successful enterprises until pressure from the surrounding settlers for farming and agricultural pursuits resulted in parts of missions being sold off. In 1886 legislation was passed preventing any ‘half castes’ (mixed blood) under the age of 34 from being allowed on missions. This legislation resulted in a reduction in the available workforce and also reduced the number of residents; both of these led to a point where mission closure could be justified, releasing further land for settlers. This resulted in Indigenous Australians being placed in the few remaining missions.

Day 2

‘Bringing Them Home’ DVD “Bringing Them Home” DVD complied as part of The National Inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander children. Please be advised that there may be images and testimonies that may be upsetting for some people, also some of the images shown may be of people who have passed away.

DVD How do you feel after watching this video? What are some of the reasons you feel like this? Were you aware of the information in video? What was the most thought provoking part? Any general comments?

Living standards and social indicators Where are we now? Brainstorm areas where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are disadvantaged. What positive impact can your work place have on any of these?

2006 population stats

Common Myths

Colour of skin

Showing respect and courtesy Communication Showing respect and courtesy

Communication

Offensive Terms Gone walkabout Full blood, half cast Insulting words – Boong, abo, Coon, Blackfellas aboriginal or indigenous (lower case) Sacred sites and ceremonies Aborigine

Understand and learn about history Participate in local Indigenous Community and cultural activities and events Survival Day – 26 January National Reconciliation Week – 26 May to 3 June National Sorry Day – 26 May Mabo Day – 3 June NAIDOC Week – the first full week of July National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day – 4 August More information about these dates and others can be gained from the NAIDOC website, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria website, VACCHO and Koorie Heritage Trust.

Respect Cultural needs and differences Examine your own cultural values, beliefs and practices Undertake cross cultural training Visual communication should be used Be mindful of gender when relating with Indigenous clients Recognise the significance of first meetings Recognise the significance of family ties and community connections Be aware that Indigenous people have differing grieving practices Use inclusive verbal communication strategies

Inclusive verbal communication strategies Don’t use jargon. • Consider tone of voice and try not to sound authoritarian. • Never talk down to people, make suggestions rather than give direction. • Silence does not necessarily mean that an Indigenous person hasn’t understood what has been said. • Indigenous people are very polite so at times when a person says ‘yes’ to something it doesn’t always mean they will follow through. It may be that they don’t have a polite way to say ‘no’.

Consultation and Community Protocols

Engaging with Indigenous Communities

Community Consultation

Develop a relationship with the Indigenous Community Visit workers and meet them in their work places Visit Indigenous clients in their communities Make use of local Indigenous services Participate in cultural activities and events Be transparent about work practices – esp referrals Ensure that relationships have a reciprocal benefit Do not instruct Indigenous services or their staff on how to do their work Mainstream workers and organisations should not take a position of authority on Indigenous communities and culture defer to local knowledge Seek out a cultural mentor/advisor Look for ways for your organisation to develop an organisational relationship with Indigenous organisations

Recognise the value of Indigenous workers Respect and recognise cultural knowledge as a valuable professional asset Acknowledge the therapeutic benefit of Indigenous work practices with Indigenous clients

Culturally Safe Environment Culturally appropriate service delivery has 3 components; Cultural awareness – education, reflection, connecting with own culture. Cultural competence – applying above knowledge, values and skills. Cultural safety – the feeling or sense of safety that the client experiences when in contact with the service.

Cultural safety The message the environment sends – physical space, communication techniques used, recognition of land, Indigenous names?? Create a visual welcome – use Koori media, pamphlets, books, maps, murals, health posters, careful with art

An option

Community Resources Link with Indigenous community organisations and museums It is advised that people further explore history by contacting and visiting the websites or premises of the: • Koorie Heritage Trust: www.abc.net.au/missionvoices • The Australian Museum – ‘Indigenous Australia’: http://www.dreamtime.net.au/indigenous/timeline3.cfm • Indigenous Land Council: www.ilc.gov.au