Cultural Respect

Descriptor 2: First Peoples' culture, beliefs, languages and practices

Introduction

This topic introduces students to First Peoples' cultures, beliefs, languages and practices.

Learning Outcome

Upon the completion of this topic you should be able:

a) to identify some of the components of First Peoples cultures, beliefs, languages, practices and

b) to discuss the influence these have on contemporary health and wellbeing of First Peoples.

Descriptor 2 – Identity and Health implications

Australia's First Peoples’ cultural values, social practices and respect for these aspects influences health practice. First Peoples view health as the culmination of physical, cultural and spiritual components that make up a worldview of wellbeing (NAHS, 1989) NATSIHP, 2016).

It is important to understand that Australia's First Peoples are comprised of two distinct cultural groups; the Aboriginal Peoples and the Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Aboriginal peoples have occupied mainland Australia, Tasmania and its islands. Aboriginal peoples are not one homogenous group with a single culture, but rather comprise over 300 different nations. Torres Strait Islander peoples occupied the islands between Australia and New Guinea. Due to colonisation, many Torres Strait Islanders now reside in mainland Australia.

Each has its own cultures, beliefs, languages and practices that are passed on through generations. All of these impact deeply and are connected to an individual’s health and wellbeing. Culture is central to First Peoples health (NATSIHP, 2016), as demonstrated in the video below. Cultures evolve as does knowledge. However, beliefs remain constant.

In 1970, an Aboriginal man, Harold Thomas designed a flag that has become widely accepted as representing Aboriginal identity. Whilst there is much diversity amongst First Peoples, the Aboriginal flag helps to unite us as a collective community representing our shared identity as First Peoples. In 1995 the Aboriginal Flag was recognised by the Australian Government as an official 'Flag of Australia' under the Flags Act 1953.

The flag consists of a coloured rectangle divided in half horizontally, the upper half black and lower red. A yellow circle sits at the centre of the rectangle.
The colours of the flag represent:

• The black represents the Aboriginal people of Australia;
• The red represents ochre colour of earth;
• The yellow represents Spiritual relation to the land and the sun, the giver of life and protector.

In 1992 the late Bernard Namok from Thursday Island designed the Torres Strait Island flag as part of a competition for a Cultural Revival Workshop. The flag consists of horizontal bands: two green and one blue, separated by black lines; a Dhari which is a distinctive traditional dance and ceremonial headdress; and a five-pointed star are central motifs of the flag. Each part of the flag gives meaning to the Torres Strait Island culture:

• The two green lines represent the mainlands of Australia and Papua New Guinea;
• The blue between these two continents is the blue of the Torres Strait Island waters;
• The black lines represent the people of the Torres Strait;
• The central symbol: is one that any islander anywhere can identify with, the Dhari or headdress;
• The five pointed star: represents the five major island groups of the Torres Strait as well as sea-faring navigation;
• The white represents peace.

The following link provides further information regarding Torres Strait Islander peoples and sea faring culture, in addition to further detail regarding the important symbolism apparent on the Torres Strait Island flag.

The following video (6min 30secs) provides insight into First Peoples connection to land and country and its importance to First Peoples. It offers insight into the importance of land and country to First Peoples.

First Peoples' culture, beliefs, languages and practices are discussed throughout. Be sure to refer to the library and community profiles tab where you can find more information.

As highlighted Australia’s First Peoples are a diverse people, with no single language, belief or protocols for all. This many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island countries are best exemplified in the map provided in Descriptor 3.

Learning about the country you live and work on is a mark of respect to the First Peoples of that place. Efforts to understand the unique history of the country and community in which you live and work is a further important step in gaining understanding for some of the health challenges in that context and the ways in which those community members feel is best to attend to them.

Use the links below for further reading and reference: Identity is tied to the cultures that a person is raised in and how they identify with that culture.

First Peoples of Australia

Descriptor 4: Humility and Lifelong Learning

Introduction

This descriptor introduces the concepts of cultural humility and lifelong learning to understand the importance of critical self-reflection for this continued learning.

Learning Outcome

Upon the completion of this topic you will be able:

a) to critically analyse one's own cultural values and privileges and

b) demostrate humility and respectful person-centered health care practices allowing you to understand one's own worldview for delivering culturally safe health care services to Australia’s First Peoples.

Cultural Humility involves listening without judgement and being open to learning from and about others. It involves learning about our own culture and our biases. It is a building block for cultural safety

Cultural Humility is a lifelong learning process that ensures learning about First Peoples cultures, developing respect, understanding and are sensitive to cultural differences.

Humility

What does cultural humility mean to you?

Please watch this short video of students talking about cultural humility.

Short self-reflection

Reflect for 5 minutes on your own cultural humility.

• Have had you heard this term before?
•  
• Do you think you have demonstrated cultural humility before?

You are strongly encouraged to make notes of these thoughts and reflections particularly if you have examples for your own personal portfolio.