Cultural Safety
Workshop
Aboriginal health
LIME Conference
September 2007
petaha@unimelb.edu.au michael@SPPU.com.au
VACCHO MEMBERS ARE LOCATED
THROUGHOUT VICTORIA
http://www.vaccho.com.au/html/members.htm
Overview
• University of Melbourne, School of Rural
Health (SRH) offers, as part of its Speciality
Health Rotations subject, the 4 week Rural
Health Module (RHM). The RHM is a
compulsory part of the curriculum and must be
successfully completed.
Rural Health Module
• There are five key conceptual themes that
underpin all aspects of the RHM, one of
which is Cultural Safety.
Cultural Safety Workshop Overview
• Cultural safety requires health professionals
to acknowledge their position of power,
reflect on their judgements and
communication styles, and be proactive
about providing a safe service.
Core Aims
Recognition of the Local Aboriginal Community
• Local history and impact of colonisation
• Awareness of the existence of Koori community as
culturally distinct from mainstream, other
Aboriginal communities and other ethnic groups
• Understanding and celebration of Cultural
Heritage
• Appreciating the diversity of experience and
identity of local Kooris through hearing their
stories
Core Aims
Understanding ‘White’ (Mainstream) Privilege
• Understanding mainstream culture, values and
beliefs so dominant culture is not seen as
normative
• Awareness of white (mainstream) privilege at
the personal and institutional levels
• Development of self reflective practice in
relation to issues of white privilege
Pedagogy
Experiential
and
Interactive
Workshop
Agenda
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Coffee
Welcome and ground rules
Icebreaker
Bafa Bafa
MORNING TEA
Defining Cultural Safety
Video
LUNCH
Koori Panel
AFTERNOON TEA
Institutional Cultural Safety
Evaluation questionnaire
Finish.
Ice Breaker
An overseas student being with a group of
Australians and not understanding the cultural
slant on Australian jokes and feeling that
perhaps the group were ‘having a go’ at him;
•
•Travelling in Morocco during Ramadan and
being really hungry and getting ‘caught’
breaking the fast;
•Offering a policeman in Australia some
money after being pulled over for speeding
as this was a common practice in the country
she came from (fortunately the judge was
very understanding);
Alpha
Beta
confused
suspicious
angry
what obligation does hugging
mean?
upset at cards being ‘stolen’
going into the corner and crying
alienated
so competitive
taken advantage of
‘miaow’ in frustration!
overwhelmed (by affection)
why am I upsetting them?
Bewildered
Aimless (they just kept taking the
beads…)
confusing
tired at being nice all the time
Bafa Bafa
Difficulty, challenge and interest of entering
a different culture
Possibility of offending unawares
Possibility of being exploited
Strong emotions
Different perceptions of the same situation
One culture not being understood by
another culture
How one’s own culture ‘frames’ the
understanding of the other culture
Babakiueria
1. What did you like about the video?
2.What didn’t you like about the video?
3.What insight does it provide to the issues
discussed so far in the workshop?
Babakiueria
1. What did you like about the video?
• Creative – changing the perspective ‘seeing from
the other side’.
• Humorous – light-hearted way of expressing their
anger/emotion.
• Passivity & response to treatment (‘whites’
response to ‘abuse’ – often very accepting).
• Incorporation of historical events – portrayed in
a way that we could understand & relate to.
Babakiueria
2. What didn’t you like about the video?
• Video targeted to people without knowledge
of past events.
• Insulting to whites.
• Inconsistency – what each society/culture
wanted?
• Doesn’t emphasize the good things about
white culture.
Babakiueria
3.What insight does it provide to the issues
discussed so far in the workshop?
• Importance of cultural safety – be sensitive.
• Highlights the difficulties of communication
between the different cultures.
• Lasting impact of history on generations.
• Different in expression but similar values
(Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).
Koori Panel
Evaluation
What did you enjoy most about the Cultural Safety
Workshop?
• All of the sessions contributed differently whilst they
covered similar things.
• Koori Panel
• I really enjoyed the Bafa Bafa activity and the thoughts
and feelings it raised. It gave each of us a first hand
experience of trying to assimilate with no assistance, it
was surprisingly challenging. GREAT!!
• The setting and method of teaching – created an
excellent learning environment.
• Safe environment & learn and discuss topics that can be
“scary” and “taboo”.
Evaluation
Did the Workshop address your issues regarding Cultural
Safety?
• Yes – it covered various topics in a variety of ways e.g.
video, discussion, Bafa Bafa.
• It helped me understand the importance of trying to
understand other cultures and not judge people based on
your own values.
• Yes – Panel discussion was very insightful.
• Yes, I have a better understanding about the history of
Aboriginals in Australia and how that shapes community
views today.
Evaluation
Do you have any recommendations for improving
the content and presentation of the Workshop?
• Do it early in Medical School, do it again!!!!
• More practical solutions – summary at the end
of the day.
• It’d be great if there can be a short pre-reading
material on recent developments/issues facing
the Aboriginal people of Australia, e.g. Current
government policy in the NT.
• Give a brief background of Aboriginal history.
Poverty
Drugs
Unemployment
Smoking
Education
Social
Injustice
Identity
Diabetes
Liver/Kidney
Disease
Stress
Lifestyle
Alcohol
Low income
abuse
Dispossession
Child Abuse
Access
of Land
To
services
Suicide
Peer Group
Pressure
Self Esteem
Grief & Loss
Govt Policy
Diet & Nutrition
Broken spirits Violence
Gambling
Cancer
Role
models
Ill health
Heart
Disease
Family
breakdown
Teenage
pregnancy
Mental
Illness