Keys to working well with indigenous people
Apparently, one of the worst things you can do when you are a white middle-class man is to hold yourself out as an expert on indigenous matters. I am no expert. As I often say when I am speaking with indigenous people, I know only a tiny amount of what there is to know and there is a room full of knowledge to learn. But here are a few things I have picked up along the way about Ausralian indigenous cultures.
1. Be keen to learn about indigenous culture
The first is that you have to be keen to learn and there is a lot to learn. For example, there is not one indigenous culture in Australia. Before British colonization there was more like six to seven hundred! So while there are things all of those different cultures have in common and share with mainstream society, there are also distinct differences. For example, some cultures encourage an open expression of painful emotions and others do not.
To complicate matters, there are also varying levels of connection to culture, with some people well-connected with traditional practices and ceremonies and others who are more connected with mainstream culture. Given that many indigenous people were punished for continuing traditional practices or were removed from their family and communities, it is no wonder that much connection to culture has been lost.
2. Access the expertise in the community
The best way to learn about a particular culture is to access the expertise of elders and indigenous health and welfare workers in the community concerned. These people can teach you about what is respectful and appropriate in their culture and give you advice on the best way to get things done. Elders also have expertise on individuals in their community and may well be able to give you good advice on the best way to work with that person.
3. Better appreciate their challenges
I think most of us could easily list many of the challenges indigenous people have dealt with or are currently dealing with - the removal of many from their family, chronic and serious health problems, high levels of malnutrition and alcohol and drug abuse, many students suffering poor hearing and the associated learning difficulties and behaviour problems. Then there are the problems of high rates of illiteracy, homelessness, sexual abuse, loss of culture - the list goes on.
But indigenous people often say to me that their challenges are not being understood by others well enough. I thought I understood what malnutrition was. But when I met a man aged about 55 who was living on a riverbank in Mt Isa, I noticed his fingernails were all cracked horizontally across each nail, it made me think there was a lot more for me to appreciate.
4. Be willing to adjust yourself
Of course all helping professionals need to adjust themselves to fit in with the needs of their clients, but with indigenous people who are facing significant challenges this is especially important. If you are giving people who have difficulty reading pages of information to read, for example, then you are not going to get very far.
Good teachers adjust their lessons, for example, structuring lessons around ways particular children best learn - planning activities where they are using their hands or moving, for example, rather than relying heavily on speaking and reading. Other environmental changes can also make a big difference. Some schools in remote areas have found that when they feed the students breakfast and lunch, levels of appropriate behaviour and school participation increase significantly.
5. Appreciate the importance of respect and of family
Although we all want to be treated with respect, it seems that this need is especially important to indigenous people. I find that a little respect goes an awful long way. Good manners count - making people feel comfortable, fitting in with cultural norms, letting them get to know you, showing consideration, for example. You cannot give too much respect to elders, who are commonly referred to as Uncle and Aunty - a term of respect and affection.
Family is also especially important. Not just immediate family, but also extended family and family in their community. Many indigenous people I have met who are living their life well say they are largely motivated by the impact of their decisions on their family and community. When working with indigenous people, exploring the impact of their behaviour on respect for themselves or their family can be real leverage points for many.
There are rich and fascinating stories of indigenous cultures in Australia and people who are doing fascinating work. I hope I have encouraged you to better understand indigenous matters. We all have a lot to learn.
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Ken Warren is Australia's leading speaker on Dealing with Demanding, Aggressive and Unmotivated People. With his engaging, interactive and positive approach, Ken has shown thousands of health, welfare and education professionals how to turn difficult people around and bring out their best. Check out all his FREE resources at www.positivepeoplesolutions.com.au
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