Closing the Gap through Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility: Issues in the Evaluation of Programs for Indigenous Communities in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Markiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Closing The Gap ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
Future Program

This article outlines key considerations and issues inherent in undertaking effective evaluations of programs developed for Indigenous Australians, written from the perspective of a non-Indigenous evaluator. The considerations identified include a number of professional practice areas, namely the need for evaluators to: operate with an understanding and appreciation of the historical and systemic context experienced by Indigenous Australians; work from the basis of a solid code of ethics and practice standards; and operate with high levels of cultural sensitivity and the ability to appreciate Indigenous world views and differences. Another central consideration identified in the article is that evaluators need to hold a commitment to produce useful and useable evaluation findings that can inform future program design and social policy in relation to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. The article develops a number of principles for evaluators to follow in evaluating programs developed for Indigenous Australians. These include: having respect for the importance of historical, socioeconomic and psychological context; commitment to ensuring relevance in methodologies and approaches used; reciprocity in considering the benefits for participating Indigenous communities; and responsibility in undertaking effective communication and consultation. While most evaluators would agree with the above principles and values, the latter can be more challenging to apply in practice and examples of their application to evaluation, and the inherent challenges in the Indigenous context, are described. Such challenges include: operating within the restrictions of government silos with difficulties portraying the complex interrelationships that reflect the lives of Indigenous Australians; reaching consensus on evaluation design and implementation; working within restricted time frames with lack of opportunity to appreciate and reflect the unique differences among Indigenous communities across Australia; limitations inherent in engaging a broad and representative group of Indigenous stakeholders; and lack of control by the evaluator over the dissemination and influence of evaluation findings and results that link with subsequent decision-making processes.

Non-Fatal Deliberate Self-Harm in Three Remote Indigenous Communities in Far North Queensland, Australia

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 422-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rouen ◽  
Alan R. Clough ◽  
Caryn West
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Health Care Center ◽  
Far North ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Self Harm

Abstract. Background: Indigenous Australians experience a suicide rate over twice that of the general population. With nonfatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) being the single most important risk factor for suicide, characterizing the incidence and repetition of DSH in this population is essential. Aims: To investigate the incidence and repetition of DSH in three remote Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, Australia. Method: DSH presentation data at a primary health-care center in each community were analyzed over a 6-year period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. Results: A DSH presentation rate of 1,638 per 100,000 population was found within the communities. Rates were higher in age groups 15–24 and 25–34, varied between communities, and were not significantly different between genders; 60% of DSH repetitions occurred within 6 months of an earlier episode. Of the 227 DSH presentations, 32% involved hanging. Limitations: This study was based on a subset of a larger dataset not specifically designed for DSH data collection and assesses the subset of the communities that presented to the primary health-care centers. Conclusion: A dedicated DSH monitoring study is required to provide a better understanding of DSH in these communities and to inform early intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Identifying Environmental Determinants Relevant to Health and Wellbeing in Remote Australian Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review of Grey Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4167
Author(s):  
Amal Chakraborty ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
Natasha J. Howard ◽  
Alwin Chong ◽  
Nicola Slavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

The high prevalence of preventable infectious and chronic diseases in Australian Indigenous populations is a major public health concern. Existing research has rarely examined the role of built and socio-political environmental factors relating to remote Indigenous health and wellbeing. This research identified built and socio-political environmental indicators from publicly available grey literature documents locally-relevant to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Existing planning documents with evidence of community input were used to reduce the response burden on Indigenous communities. A scoping review of community-focused planning documents resulted in the identification of 1120 built and 2215 socio-political environmental indicators. Indicators were systematically classified using an Indigenous indicator classification system (IICS). Applying the IICS yielded indicators prominently featuring the “community infrastructure” domain within the built environment, and the “community capacity” domain within the socio-political environment. This research demonstrates the utility of utilizing existing planning documents and a culturally appropriate systematic classification system to consolidate environmental determinants that influence health and disease occurrence. The findings also support understanding of which features of community-level built and socio-political environments amenable to public health and social policy actions might be targeted to help reduce the prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases in Indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Ketamine-Assisted and Culturally Attuned Trauma Informed Psychotherapy as Adjunct to Traditional Indigenous Healing: Effecting Cultural Collaboration in Canadian Mental Health Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Sherry-Anne Muscat ◽  
Geralyn Dorothy Wright ◽  
Kristy Bergeron ◽  
Kevin W. Morin ◽  
Courtenay Richards Crouch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Behavioral Systems ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Trauma Informed

Ketamine therapy with culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy in a collaborative cross-cultural partnership may provide a critical step in the operationalization and optimization of treatment effectiveness in diverse populations and may provide a foundation for an improved quality of life for Indigenous people. Decolonizing Indigenous health and wellbeing is long overdue, requiring an equal partnership between government and Indigenous communities, built upon an aboriginal culture holistic foundation of balance of mind, body, social and spiritual realms, and within the context of historical and lived experiences of colonialism. Culturally attuned trauma-informed psychotherapy paired with ketamine—a fast-acting antidepressant that typically takes effect within 4 hours, even in cases of acute suicidality—may be uniquely qualified to integrate into an Indigenous based health system, since ketamine’s therapeutic effects engage multiple neuropsychological, physiological, biological, and behavioral systems damaged by intergenerational complex developmental trauma. Ketamine holds the potential to serve as a core treatment modality around which culturally engaged treatment approaches might be organized since its brief alteration of normal waking consciousness is already a familiar and intrinsic element of healing culture in many Indigenous societies. There is great need and desire in Indigenous communities for respectful and sacred partnership in fostering more effective mental health outcomes and improved quality of life.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Awareness Tools for Universal Design

2022 ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Luis Pinto Coelho ◽  
Idalina Freitas ◽  
Dorota Urszula Kaminska ◽  
Ricardo Queirós ◽  
Anna Laska-Lesniewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Personal Knowledge ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Virtual And Augmented Reality ◽  
Closing The Gap

This chapter will be focused on contributing to the increase of universal design competencies of future engineers, educators, and designers through the use of mixed reality technologies, closing the gap between theory and field application of principles, towards a more inclusive world and promoting health and wellbeing for all. The experience of a situation where limitations arise in relation to what is taken for granted is an important experience that leads to a personal knowledge of the difficulties. By the use of simulators, especially virtual (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies, it is possible to create such experiences. Training based on MR can prepare future and current professionals for up-to-date requirements of the labor market. In addition, it can ensure that the standards such as barrier-free concepts, broader accessibility, adaptive and assistive technology will be familiar to trainees.

Creating lasting and fulfilling careers for Indigenous Australians

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 489
Author(s):  
Llewellyn Williams
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Recruitment Process ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Indigenous Development ◽  
Advisory Boards ◽  
Indigenous Participation

Recruiting Indigenous Australians is part of the oil and gas industry’s social responsibility. Indigenous recruits need to be ensured that they have lasting and fulfilling careers. In Transfield Services’ experience, retention is often the greatest challenge and significant time and resources is spent to identify strategies to help Indigenous employees progress their careers positively. The first and, arguably, the most important element is to engage early with Indigenous communities to identify key local Indigenous stakeholders and establish strong and trusting relationships. This provides a contextual platform and understanding that guides not only the recruitment process and role fit, but also the support required for individuals through their employment. Indigenous employees then are assigned a mentor to assist in developing their occupational skills. Mentors can be volunteers from across the company but they must work closely with Indigenous development managers to ensure full cultural awareness. Cultural awareness training should also be carried out extensively across an organisation and be backed up by day-to-day application of human resource polices that accommodate cultural elements specific to Indigenous Australians. Critically, organisations must also hold themselves accountable. Publicly available Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) must set transparent targets for recruitment and retention, and progress must be continually monitored by informed and independent advisory boards. In 2007, Transfield Services launched its first Indigenous participation strategy. It then became the first service provider to implement a RAP in 2009. Since then, it has launched an updated RAP, which earlier this year was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia—one of only a handful in the country to have this accreditation.

Sentencing, Domestic Violence, and the Overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians: Does Court Location Matter?

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988591
Author(s):  
Robin Fitzgerald ◽  
Heather Douglas ◽  
Lachlan Heybroek
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Hierarchical Modeling ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Modeling Strategy ◽  
Geographic Remoteness ◽  
Protection Order ◽  
Sentencing Outcomes

The significant overrepresentation of Indigenous people in Australian prisons has been the subject of numerous studies. In this article, we build on recent research suggesting that sentencing in domestic violence cases might be an important contributor to this overrepresentation of Indigenous people. We broaden the existing research by examining differences for Indigenous and non-Indigenous defendants in domestic violence cases across a range of sentencing outcomes including imprisonment, probation, fines, and good behavior orders. We also consider whether the degree of geographic remoteness of the court influences these sentencing outcomes. To accomplish this, we use administrative court data from Queensland, Australia, and employ a multinomial hierarchical modeling strategy appropriate for nested court-level multilevel data. The findings further support recent Australian research suggesting that there are sentencing disparities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in relation to domestic violence, and in particular, that harsher sentences such as imprisonment are disproportionately reserved for Indigenous defendants. Our research demonstrates that these disparities in the likelihood of imprisonment occur irrespective of defendants’ domestic violence protection order (DVO) breach histories and the location of the sentencing court. Based on the findings, we conclude with a discussion of possible ways forward. Although there is no question that Indigenous women should be safe and free from violence, supporting a harsher sentencing regime for those who breach DVOs is not effective. Instead, we argue that flexible strategies that work within and for Indigenous communities in Australia are required.

scholarly journals Western Australia’s Remote Indigenous Communities: A Case Against Closures and a Call For New Governance

AJIL Unbound ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 209-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asta Hill
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
New Governance ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
The Government

In the late 1970s thousands of Indigenous Australians initiated a movement back to the ancestral lands they had been removed from during the assimilationist era. Less than 50 years since their return to country, Aboriginal people living in Western Australia’s (WA) remote communities are again grappling with their impending redispossession. Wa Premier Colin Barnett’s announcement late last year was panic inducing: It is a problem that I do not want and the government does not want, but it is a reality. There are something like 274 Aboriginal communities in Western Australia—I think 150 or so of those are in the Kimberley itself—and they are not viable. They are not viable and they are not sustainable . . . I am foreshadowing that a number of communities are inevitably going to close.

scholarly journals Indigenous Land and Sea Management Programs (ILSMPs) Enhance the Wellbeing of Indigenous Australians

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silva Larson ◽  
Natalie Stoeckl ◽  
Diane Jarvis ◽  
Jane Addison ◽  
Daniel Grainger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Principle Components Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Language Schools ◽  
Indigenous Land

Conservation and environmental management have been reported as offering opportunities to substantially improve the wellbeing of Indigenous people. Using the holistic wellbeing impact evaluation (W-IE) approach—well suited for use in Indigenous communities—we interviewed 190 Indigenous Australians across four communities. All communities were involved in the Indigenous land and sea management programs (ILSMPs). Our study explored the conceptualisation of ‘wellbeing’ by participants. In particular, we were interested in the aspects of wellbeing perceived to be affected by ILSMPs. Out of the 26 wellbeing factors explored, ‘Health centres’; ‘Language’; ‘Schools’; and ‘Safe community’ emerged as being of highest importance to the largest percentage of the respondents. When grouped using principle components analysis (PCA), the ‘Community and society’ domain emerged as the most important; accounting for 52% of the overall importance of all wellbeing factors. The second most important domain was the ‘Country and culture’, contributing 31%. Lastly, ‘Economic aspects’ contributed only 17%. Respondents believed that ILSMPs have played a considerable causal role in improving wellbeing, by positively changing factors most important to them. Specifically, 73% of perceived causal links were related to improvements in the ‘Country and Culture’ and 23% to ‘Community and Society’ domain. We thus conclude that land management for Indigenous people is much more than ecological or environmental management with ILSMPs, perceived to cause a wide range of cultural and social benefits. We also propose ways in which the future design of such programs could be improved to further increase benefits.

scholarly journals The role of the oral microbiota in chronic non-communicable disease and its relevance to the Indigenous health gap in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilda Handsley-Davis ◽  
Lisa Jamieson ◽  
Kostas Kapellas ◽  
Joanne Hedges ◽  
Laura S. Weyrich
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Oral Microbiota ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Health Gap ◽  
Systemic Health

Abstract Background Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders (hereafter respectfully referred to as Indigenous Australians) experience disproportionately poor health and low life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Poor oral health is a critical, but understudied, contributor to this health gap. A considerable body of evidence links poor oral health to increased risks of other chronic non-communicable conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and poor emotional wellbeing.  Main The oral microbiota is indisputably associated with several oral diseases that disproportionately affect Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, a growing literature suggests direct and indirect links between the oral microbiota and systemic chronic non-communicable diseases that underpin much of the Indigenous health gap in Australia. Recent research indicates that oral microbial communities are shaped by a combination of cultural and lifestyle factors and are inherited from caregivers to children. Systematic differences in oral microbiota diversity and composition have been identified between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals in Australia and elsewhere, suggesting that microbiota-related diseases may be distinct in Indigenous Australians.  Conclusion Oral microbiota research involving Indigenous Australians is a promising new area that could benefit Indigenous communities in numerous ways. These potential benefits include: (1) ensuring equity and access for Indigenous Australians in microbiota-related therapies; (2) opportunities for knowledge-sharing and collaborative research between scientists and Indigenous communities; and (3) using knowledge about the oral microbiota and chronic disease to help close the gaps in Indigenous oral and systemic health.

scholarly journals Early presentation of symptomatic individuals is critical in controlling sexually transmissible infections

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Eric P. F. Chow ◽  
Jane S. Hocking
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Australian Population ◽  
Sexual Risks ◽  
Early Presentation ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
General Australian Population

Two papers in this issue by Williams et al. and Scott et al. describe the sexual risks and health-seeking behaviour of young Indigenous Australians. Their sexual risks and health-seeking behaviours are similar to the general Australian population, yet their risk of past sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is higher. These findings are consistent with previous findings and suggest that access to health care, and not sexual risk, remain critical to STI control in remote Indigenous communities.

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