Do You See What I See? - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Do You See What I See? An Exploration of the Delivery of Child Protection, Child Health and Primary Educational Services to Aboriginal People in the Perth Metropolitan and Geraldton Regions

Glenn Pearson Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

CDRCN National Conference

Fredericton 2012Slide2

Acknowledgement of CountrySlide3

Perth

GeraldtonSlide4

Western Australian State Government Aboriginal Affairs Policies

(1829- 2012)

CULTURAL

ABSORPTION

1940s

EXCLUSION, PROTECTION

AND

SEGREGATION

PRE 1905

INTEGRATION

1960s

SELF CONTROL

DETERMINATION

1970s

SELF MANAGEMENT

1980-90s

ASSIMILATION

AND CONTROL 1905

SELF

RESPONSIBILITY *

2004

* Current Australian Government PolicySlide5

Wadjella

Aboriginal

State

Education, Health, Child Protection

National

Local

Perceptions -

experiences, attitudes, values

Research Focus Slide6

Steering Group

Critical Thinkers Group

State Government Interagency Group

Community Research

Partners

Rockingham

Fremantle

Midland

Joondalup

Geraldton

20

12

12

10

20

Research Governance Slide7

Study One Findings

Themes that have been identified. 

Aboriginal Responses

Wadjella

Responses

Living in a dominate culture

Life experiences of growing up outside the mainstream, feeling different and being treated differently, generational change, there are common experiences but there are distinctly individual experiences that have shaped the person.

Life experiences of growing up within the mainstream, predominately unaware of own culture as a distinct entity but living under the values of this culture e.g. work ethic, getting on with it, limited experience with and of knowledge of Aboriginal people and history,

Perceptions of self

Attitudes

Beliefs

Values

Experiences - Influences

Very much an us and them framing of these, strong commonality on a range of issues

Attitudes

Beliefs

Values

Experiences - InfluencesDiverse set of responses with some commonality, especially as government workers

Perceptions of Other (Othering) Appear to be very aware of the other, is compelled to engage on a daily basis to get needs met, treat them as Aboriginal’s not people, racist, controlling, Appear to be aware of the other but not confident of this, don’t understand why infighting and feuding, violence, poor choices, scared about being called a racist/racism, Factors that Affect Service Delivery/Provision

 Broad range of issues: inappropriate service models, disconnected from Aboriginal community, not the right type of staff, feel they dehumanise them, communication is problematic, Broad range of issues; service models, time, pressure, managing risk, limited resources, staff turnover, policies that don’t work, programs that don’t work, issues that affect Aboriginal families, outside their role/function or too big for them.

Factors that Affect Service Receiving Broad range of issues: not knowing about what was available, history with government, Broad range of issues: capacity of client, complexity of issues that present in these families,

Solutions to Increase Service Delivery/Receiving Capacity Education, training, employment of Aboriginal people, Education in schools, training in University and on the job, employment of Aboriginal people,

Study

One Findings Slide8

Self

Role

Workplace

Government

Department

Community

Wadjella

WorldviewSlide9

Self

Family

Aboriginal Community

Broader Community

Aboriginal WorldviewSlide10

Study Two Findings

Themes that have been identified. 

Aboriginal Responses

Wadjella

Responses

Relationships

Types of Relationships/Characteristics of relationships

Process for establishing relationships with Aboriginal clients

Client Related Factors that influenced establishing and maintaining relationships

Types of Relationships/Characteristics of relationships

Process for establishing relationships with Aboriginal clients

Worker Related Factors that influenced establishing and maintaining relationships

Knowledge

of Aboriginal history and culture

Level of knowledge and experience of Aboriginal history and culture

Understanding of culture and its functions in society

Understanding of Australian Culture

Level of Knowledge and experience of Aboriginal history and culture

Understanding of culture and its functions in societyUnderstanding of Australian CulturePersonal Experience, Attitudes and Values Personal opinions and philosophies clearly influence client behaviourBroad reaction to the provision of targeted or specific services or programs for Aboriginal people

Family has been significant in influencing participant attitudes towards Aboriginal peoplePersonal opinions and philosophies clearly influence worker practiceBroad reaction to the provision of targeted or specific services or programs for Aboriginal peopleFamily has been significant in influencing participant attitudes towards Aboriginal people

Perception of the other – responses to a person’s Aboriginality Highly contested space Process of identifying or confirming if someone is AboriginalAwareness of images and stereotypes of Aboriginal peopleLanguage used to describe Aboriginal people

Knowing that the other person was Aboriginal influenced the way that they interacted with that personSome felt that too much was made of a person’s Aboriginality. Highly contested space Process of identifying or confirming if someone is Aboriginal

Images and stereotypes of Aboriginal peopleLanguage used to describe Aboriginal peopleMost stated that it did not influence or change the way that they interacted with Aboriginal people – but clearly it does.Some felt that too much was made of a person’s Aboriginality.

Study Two Findings Slide11

Themes that have been identified.

Aboriginal Responses

Wadjella

Responses

Perceptions of the other – Being a Government worker

Aboriginal Principle – Treat Everybody As You Want To Be Treated

Public Servant Principle – Treating Everybody the Same

Perceptions of the other - Fear of being called a racist - Racism

There wasn’t a clear definition of what racism or being racist is across the responses given

Racism is an everyday part of Aboriginal life commencing early in their lives

There wasn’t a clear definition of what racism or being racist is across the responses given

Impact of being racially abused by client

Feelings of white guilt

Broad reaction to two sets of rules

Factors that Affect Service

Delivery/Provision and Service Receiving

Worker capacity and willingness (compliance and resistance)

Client capacity and willingness (compliance and resistance)

Worker capacity and willingness (compliance and resistance)

Client capacity and willingness (compliance and resistance)Self protective behaviour of workerSuccessful examplesResponses were varied with few clear examplesService Features – employing the right person for the job, outreach services, Aboriginal staff are able to work blackfella way, programs that provide practical skills to families, culturally safe services, capacity of worker to respond to clients needsExamples of specific programs or approaches –

sport, music, consumer advocacy, two laws approach to justiceResponses were varied with few clear examplesService Features – Characteristics of Worker -

Cross cultural training - Examples of specific programs or approaches – Sport, Art , Signs of Safety Study Two Findings Slide12

The Five Big Ticket Items (Findings)

Five Major FindingsSlide13

Acknowledgements Slide14

Mr Glenn PearsonChief Investigator – Centre of Research Excellence into Aboriginal Health and WellbeingWeb: http://aboriginal.childhealthresearch.org.au/centre-for-research-excellence-(cre).aspxEmail: glennp@ichr.uwa.edu.au

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