THE ELEVEN PRINCIPLES
The following is an excerpt from Smith, JD 2007, ‘Cultural Perspectives’, in Australia’s rural and
remote health: A social justice perspective, 2nd edition, Tertiary Press, Melbourne. These principles
were developed by Jacinta Elston, Tahnia Edwards, Regan Jane Smith and Janie Dade Smith.
Principles for working effectively with Australian Indigenous peoples
Many students ask for the recipe book on working in an effective and culturally safe way with Indigenous
people and communities. There is no such book, and such lists of dos and don’ts should be avoided due to the
different customs, practices and histories of the over 500 different groups throughout Australia. These customs,
practices and histories also differ greatly between the various states and territories. There are however some
general principles that we have collaboratively developed to assist you to build strong working relationships
when interacting with Indigenous peoples in a culturally safe way.
You might like to add to these principles or refine them, as you become experienced in working with
Indigenous people and communities:
Principle 1. Stand back, be quiet, listen, hear and wait.
You are not the expert in this relationship and you might be surprised what you learn if you do this constantly.
Things are not always as they seem. This requires acknowledgement that your view on things, stems from your
own lived experience, set of values, priorities and beliefs. Remember listening and hearing are two different
skills.
Principle 2. Get to know the local community.
Find out the names of the Traditional Owners, the Elders and key Indigenous organisations in the community
and quietly introduce yourself when the moment arises. Be interested in finding out the history, language and
be open to learn. Appreciate the privileged position you are in and don’t expect that you have a right to know
about the culture and its people. Often, when the community sees you are interested, they will become more
open and accepting of you. Respect the sharing of knowledge and experience you gain about the culture, and
remember it is not yours to own.
Principle 3. Be respectful at all times.
Be open to different understandings, beliefs, values, practices and norms. Acknowledge there is difference and
respect it. Instead of asking questions when people are telling their stories, listen and reflect on the teachings,
and clarify meaning(s) at a later time. Always maintain confidentiality and be respectful, particularly of older
people and community leaders.
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Principle 4. Find a local cultural mentor for advice, and to guide you.
This might be an Aboriginal Health Worker or other community member, who will often find you, before you
are able to identify them. Having a mentor might also be vital for your survival whilst you live and work in an
Indigenous community. Respect their advice and seek their guidance as needed. The RACGP identifies and
appoints cultural mentors for their doctors in training. These mentors assist the doctors to reflect upon what
they have learnt, advise on local culture, advocate for the local community without making the learner feel
guilty or criticised, support the learner and affirm good attitudes when things go wrong (Alberts and McKenzie
2003). You may also need a non-Indigenous mentor to assist you in translating or discussing some of the issues
you might identify.
Principle 5. Have an open heart.
This is probably the most important principle. If people can see you are trying, and being open to
understanding, than they will be more open and accepting of you. This is how trust is established. Don’t expect
everything you want, when you want it. Be patient, not imposing. People will open up to you when they feel
comfortable to do so —when they are ready and can sense your openness.
Principle 6. Don’t assume you know, because you are experienced.
If you have worked in an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community before does not mean you understand
this community or its people. In fact, the aware novice is often more culturally safe than the experienced person
who may think they understand, and may have stopped listening, hearing, learning and understanding. There is
an old saying in remote practice: ‘If you have seen one remote community, then you have seen one remote
community’. They are all different. The same could be said when working with different groups of Indigenous
peoples.
Principle 7. Don’t participate in racist behaviour.
Sometimes we are being paternalistic, patronising or covertly racist without even realising it, as we all function
from our own set of cultural practices, values and beliefs. However, telling racist jokes and name calling, even
in fun, is offensive and perpetuates many of the myths and stereotypes we are trying to change in this society.
Racism is an illegal misconduct, and punishable by law (Racial Discrimination Act 1975).
Principle 8. Learn to laugh at yourself and with others at you.
See the funny side of things. We all make mistakes and in cross-cultural environments this is a given. Expect to
do so; it will make you look human—this is a good thing! Indigenous people are often extremely generous and
forgiving and will probably laugh with you.
Principle 9. The health status.
The Indigenous people you are working with, and their families that they go home to every night, are living
with the statistics we recite daily. Be cognisant of the impact this may be having on their day and lives.
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Principle 10. Community control
When working in a community-controlled organisation you are a tool that the community is using to achieve a
goal. You have one group of skills that they require. When you have used them there are many other things for
the community to think about, and it probably won’t involve you. Leave your ego at home. You are not the
senior manager in this setting and it is unlikely that you ever will be. The power of decision-making will always
lie with the community and things will be done as they determine. This might be different from what you are
used to, and the setting of priorities may not meet well with your own. See this as an opportunity to learn rather
than teach. Remember principle 1: Stand back, shut up, listen, hear, wait and be guided in ways forward. Don’t
dictate how things should be done.
Principle 11. Be cognisant of the cycle of staffing
Indigenous Australians everywhere are constantly educating and re-educating non-Indigenous Australians
about their culture, values and beliefs. This can be exhausting to do again and again as the staff continually turn
over, and many burn out. This is more often evident in remote communities where Indigenous staff could be
doing this educating process monthly. So be patient, stand back, wait, listen, hear, don’t judge and have an open
heart. You will never be the expert, and you alone will not ‘save these people’—so get over it now. As the
saying goes ‘the more you get to know, the more you realise how much you have to learn’. If you can do these
things, then you’re half way there. You never know, it might be the place where you may find your own
humanity. Embrace it, and good luck.
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