Cultural Sensitivity By Opolahsomuwehs (Imelda Perley) (November 25 th, 2011)

Cultural Sensitivity A culturally sensitive person is one who is familiar with the values, beliefs, ideals and worldviews of a specific cultural group. The person may also reflect these values and worldviews in their actions, attitudes and thoughts.

Culturally Sensitive Service Providers Have awareness and appreciation of the culture that they are serving Visible in the community that they are serving Aware of cultural protocol dealing with Elders, ceremonies and community events Learns the greetings in the community language

Culturally Sensitive Service Providers Familiar with Elder Knowledge pertaining to traditional medicines and traditional healing practices Familiar with community health issues and concerns Understands and appreciates the values, beliefs, traditions and worldviews of the culture they are working with

Journey into Cultural Sensitivity Establish a relationship with community Elders Participate in the cultural activities organized by the community Make a genuine effort to integrate yourself into the community; social isolation leads to misunderstandings and misconceptions

Cultural Sensitivity for Aboriginal People Speaker of their Ancestral language or committed to learning the language of his or her community Reflects traditional values and worldviews in his or her actions, attitudes and way of knowing

Cultural Sensitivity For Aboriginal People Guided by Ancestral knowledge Familiar with traditional healing practices Participates and/or performs ceremonies Familiar with the history, stories, songs and Elder knowledge

Journey to Cultural Sensitivity Seek Elder knowledge, their wisdom, their teachings Learn their Ancestral language Participate in Ceremonies and Traditions Participate in community-based initiatives designed to revive, maintain and preserve language and culture

Chief Dan George Everyone likes to give as well as receive No one wishes only to receive all the time We have taken much from your culture… I wish that you had taken something from our culture… For there were some beautiful and good things in it.

Chief Dan George Already many of our young people have forgotten the old ways And many have been shamed of their Indian ways by scorn and ridicule My culture is like a wounded deer that has crawled away into the forest to bleed and die alone

Chief Dan George The only thing that can truly help us is genuine love You must truly love us, be patient with us and share with us And we must love you-with a genuine love that forgives and forgets. (My Heart Soars pg.41) ‘Ciw Oluwikoneyak Weckuwapasihtit