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Being uncomfortable as a non-Indigenous practitioner

Emerging Minds, Australia, 2019

Related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing

Resource Summary

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this resource may contain names of people who have passed away.

This resource is part of Emerging Minds’ Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children toolkit. Drawing on the expertise of First Nations consultants, practitioners and families, the toolkit explores ways non-Indigenous professionals and services can develop genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

It’s hard as a non-Indigenous person working in Community. You are always challenged about your intent or ways of working. But then I reflect, this is what it’s like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every day. I feel small after this; the reason it’s hard is because you always must look at yourself. But when you earn their trust, it is the most rewarding work you will ever do!

- Anonymous

Working with different cultural groups can be challenging. Whilst you should always feel safe in your practice, there will be times when you may feel uncomfortable, and it is important to remember that this is both normal and okay.

For some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the pain of colonisation and the ongoing policies and trauma they cause means that you as the practitioner can represent the systems that have hurt them. As a result, interactions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can come with a high level of anger and distrust.

Sometimes the systems you work in are inadvertently still hurting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This may mean that First Nations people express sadness or even anger that can feel like it is directed personally at you. It is important not to take this to heart as for the most part ‘it’s not about you’. It is the legacy of past experiences and contacts.

Though these situations can be uncomfortable, they are also opportunities to learn and grow your practice and develop your relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Instead of seeing these responses as an attack on you or your role, listen to how history and past experiences have impacted the person’s life and think about how you can find ways to build trust.

Look and listen:

  • Knowing that historical experience and impacts are not about you, what are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people really telling you about their experiences and their lives?
  • What can you learn about how history and past experiences impact individuals and communities?

Learn and reflect:

  • What makes you uncomfortable?
  • How can you work with this when it occurs?
  • What support can you find for yourself to reflect on this when it occurs?

Practice:

To help you work through discomfort it may be useful to consider the following in your practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

  • Seek to understand the context of the fear and anger.
  • When you are faced with anger and frustration a simple acknowledgment of historical experience can make a difference.
  • Be tenacious – don’t give up when you hear negative feedback.
  • Allow and acknowledge people’s negative experiences with systems and ineffective practice.
  • Check in with how people are feeling and why they are feeling that way.

 

The preferred terminology used by Emerging Minds in our resources is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as guided by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Consultancy Group.

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