Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Your Assignment Module Number and Heading: HLTHIR404D - Working effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Your Assignment Type: Standard Question
Currently Working in Childcare? No
Your knowledge: Beginner

Your Question?
What are some potential impacts of cultural factors on service delivery to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients?

What is your answer so far or What have you done so far as an attempt to solve this question?
I already posted this question on the forum - thank you so much for the response. I read the recommended chapter of the guide, and I got: your perceptions, how you are perceived, relationships with Indigenous clients, cultural bias. I don't know about these answers though.

Description and Message:
I have no idea if I'm on the right track. Please help me Maybe a couple of examples? Thanks so much.

I have been staring this question for the past half an hour and I'm not sure if this is right but I have the following:

Time
Aboriginal observance of time and measurement may sometimes cause concern or conflict in the workplace because it is often in contrast to non-Indigenous attitude to time. For example, a meeting may be due to start at a certain time, but it is not uncommon for an Aboriginal person to turn up long after that because they do not follow structured time and schedules. They call this Koori time.

Communication
Aboriginal English may be difficult to understand at first; you may need to have an interpreter present so the person can express themselves in their chosen language. Indigenous people are more likely to respond to an indirect question than a direct one. They may feel suspicious about the reasons for blunt questions. They may also not respond to a question where the answer is already known. Nonverbal communication is a natural part of Aboriginal communication. For instance, silence does not mean an Indigenous person does not understand; instead, they may be listening, thinking, remaining non-committal or waiting for community support or input. Time and trust may be required before people offer their opinion. They may also prefer to defer to an older or more authoritative person. It is also usual for Aboriginal meetings to be punctuated by long periods of silence and thought. In some Aboriginal cultures looking a person directly in the eye is considered rude or disrespectful. Likewise, pointing at a person when trying to emphasise something
should be avoided.

Art and religion
Indigenous people express their ceremonial and religious life through art, songs and dance. Art forms such as body painting, ground sculpture, bark painting, wood carving and rock painting and engraving can represent multiple meanings about Aboriginal ownership of the land and their relationships to ancestral beings. Often these arts forms are believed to be manifestations of original ancestors who possessed special powers.

Ref: https://aspirelr.com.au/assets/document ... hir404.pdf

Hopefully this makes sense to you or gives you some ideas,

,
L.A

No, this is really really helpful. Thank you so much for your time and help, I so appreciate it.
Lucy

Yes, I found it a really hard question to understand - I really didn't know what they wanted from me haha! Anyway, thanks again )