WACHS Goldfields Aboriginal Cultural Booklet Acknowledgement WA Country Health acknowledges the Aboriginal people of the many traditional lands and language groups of Western Australia. We acknowledge the wisdom of Aboriginal Elders both past and present and pay respect to Aboriginal communities of today. This booklet was developed through the Lighthouse Hospital Project. The Lighthouse Hospital Project is a joint initiative between the Heart Foundation and the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association. The project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health through the Indigenous Australians’ Health Programme. WA Country Health Services (WACHS) Goldfields and the Lighthouse Hospital Project acknowledges the WACHS Aboriginal staff and local community members’ contributions to the development of this Goldfields Aboriginal Cultural Resource Booklet: Jane Drew: Lighthouse Project Officer, Kalgoorlie Health Campus Raylene Cooper: Senior Aboriginal Mental Health Worker, Community Mental Health Services, Goldfields Marilyn McKenzie: Aboriginal Liaison Officer; Kalgoorlie Hospital Corena Newland: Aboriginal Liaison Officer; Kalgoorlie Hospital Josie Adams: Aboriginal Health Worker, Kalgoorlie Community Health Kandice Whitehurst: Aboriginal Health Promotions Worker, Population Health, Goldfields Geraldine Hogarth: Senior Aboriginal Health Worker, Leonora Community Health Kerry Griffiths: Aboriginal Health Worker, Renal Health Services WACHS – Pilbara: Aboriginal Cultural Resource Group Cover Painting “Eating and Healing Food” Artwork by Regina Donaldson - October 2011 This painting is about the healthy food that is shown in the artwork. These are silky pears, honey ants, the quandongs and witchetty grubs which are healthy foods that are also used for bush medicine. There are also bush herbs in the painting that are also used to make medicine which you drink to make you well. The fruits can be used to make a rubbing ointment to heal aches and pains or a drink that will make an upset tummy feel better. The red cross is to depict a place of healing and wellness. Contents INTRODUCTION 1 SHOWING RESPECT TO ABORIGINAL PEOPLES AND CULTURE 2 • Welcome to Country/Acknowledgement of Country • The Flags • Asking the Question ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN THE GOLDFIELDS AREA 4 ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE 5 • WA Health Services Map • The Client Journey ABORIGINAL CULTURES AND CUSTOMS 6 • Cultural Identity • Connection with Land • Ceremonial Business • Death and Dying • Funerals CULTURALLY SAFE COMMUNICATION 7 • Engaging and Talking with Aboriginal Peoples • Body Language • Eye Contact • Verbal Communication • Time • Language • Gender • What Not to Ask SIGNIFICANT DATES 11 RESOURCES 13 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 13 INTRODUCTION This booklet provides some of the cultural factors and considerations to take into account when caring for Aboriginal patients and residents from the Goldfields. We recognise the cultural diversity of Aboriginal groups and cultures. WACHS Goldfields is in no position to speak on their behalf. Please keep this in mind when reading through this booklet. It should not be used to make assumptions or generalisations about Aboriginal peoples or communities. This booklet focuses on information relevant to providing care and support to Aboriginal peoples attending WACHS Goldfields health services. Be aware that Aboriginal culture varies across the Goldfields and Australia; there are many different skin groups and languages. Within Western Australia, the term Aboriginal is used in preference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, in recognition that Aboriginal people are the original inhabitants of Western Australia. No disrespect is intended to our Torres Strait Islander colleagues and community. “An Aboriginal person is someone who has the same basic physical needs just like you and me; but she/he may have different values, culture, language, lifestyle, skin colour; he/she may live in an extended family situation.” (Dr Charles Perkins AO 1968) Art work by Jason Dimer - Karlkurla Bush Tucker 1 SHOWING RESPECT FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLES AND CULTURE Welcome to Country/Acknowledgement of Country Acknowledgement of Country and People Policy Welcome to Country is an important custom performed by an Aboriginal traditional custodian or Elder to welcome people to their land. This can only be performed by an Aboriginal custodian or Elder from the lands on which the meeting or event is held. Welcome to Country is required for all major WA Health official events attended by members of the public, representatives of WA Health, other government agencies or media. Acknowledgement of Traditional Ownership/Country is a custom that the wider community can follow to demonstrate respect for Aboriginal protocol. It can be performed by any individual, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal person at an occasion of any kind. It demonstrates respect for the traditional custodians of the land or sea where the gathering of participants is being conducted. It is appropriate for events such as hospital or health service staff meetings, small or specialised public information sessions or small conferences. The Flags Showing respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags shows respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The flags have a very special meaning to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; it is a symbol of acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. Australian Aboriginal Flag - A flag to represent and identify Australian Aboriginal peoples did not exist until 12 July 1971 when a flag designed by Mr Harold Thomas was first flown in Adelaide. The red stripe represents the land and the black symbolises the Aboriginal peoples. The yellow circle represents the sun, the giver of life. Torres Strait Islander Flag - A flag was adopted in May 1992 to represent the Torres Strait Islanders. The design is attributed to Mr Bernard Namok and copyright is owned by the Torres Strait Island Coordinating Council. The green stripes represent the land, the blue stripe represents the sea and the black symbolises the peoples. The central device is a Dhari, a dancer’s headdress with a 5-pointed star to symbolise the five island groups in the Torres Strait. 2 Asking the Question “Are you (is the patient) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin?” 1. Aboriginal not Torres Strait Islander 2. Torres Strait Islander not Aboriginal 3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 4. Not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or No This question should be asked directly of all clients each time they present/are admitted irrespective of appearance, country of birth or whether or not the staff knows the client or family background or whether a previous response to this question is recorded in the system. Why is the Question So Important? The under-identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in mainstream health services and national health data sets is a fundamental barrier to achieving health equality for all Australians. Have you asked Why do we ask? the question? • Acknowledgement of health conditions • Cultural understanding • Service provision Are you (is the patient) of Aboriginal • Appropriate referrals or Torres Strait Islander origin? It’s mandatory to ask every patient on each admission • Program planning For more information • Statistical Data on how to ask the question, visit heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/aboriginal-health • Funding HH-SCEQ-001.1.0619 For further information/training on Asking the Question please go to the Heart Foundations Web site at https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/for-professionals/aboriginal-health-resources/training-centre 3 ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN THE GOLDFIELDS AREA Aboriginal peoples in the Goldfields include: Wankatja/Wangkatha (Kalgoorlie, Leonora and Laverton) Ngadju (Coolgardie, Norseman and Esperance) Martu (Wiluna) Nyoongar/Nyungar (South West people who have migrated to the Kalgoorlie area) Tjuntjuntjara Spinifex People (Great Victoria Desert region of Western Australia). Tjuntjuntjara is situated within the Shire of Menzies 680km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Kiwirrkurra Ngaanyatjarra Communities Ngaanyatjarra lands are made up of 12 Tjukurla Patjarr NT Ngaanyatjarra Lands communities located in the far north east of Warakurna Wanarn Western Australia, adjoining the Northern Kalgoorlie Adelaide Perth Tjirrkarli Blackstone Territory and South Australia borders. Jameson Wingelina Kanpa Warburton WA SA Cosmo Newberry Kimberley Northern Pitjantjajara Community (APY Territory Lands) is located in the Central Desert and borders Western Australia, APY Lands the Northern Territory and South South Australia Australia. Perth Adelaide Anangi Pitjantjajara Community (APY Lands) As health professionals you will care for people and work with co-workers from different groups. It is important to be aware that they may speak different languages or dialects and have different customs. 4 ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE WA Health Country Health Services Health Services in Goldfields and its Surrounding Areas Kiwirrikurra Regional Hospital Tjukurla District Hospital Patjarr WILUNA (S) Health Centre Warakurna Silver Chain Facility Wannarn NGAANYATIJARRA Aboriginal Clinic HEALTH SERVICE Blackstone NGANGGANAWILI Jameson Tjirrkarli Wingelina Aboriginal Community HEALTH SERVICE WARBURTON Wiluna Kanpa East Pilbara (S) (Part Only) Ravensthorpe (S) Mulga Queen LEINSTER Wiluna (S) Cosmo Newberry WA Country Health Service - Goldfields Region Wongutha Wongunara LAVERTON Community Controlled Aboriginal