Title screen: Cultural safety framework; key factors

SCREEN TWO: Acknowledgment of Country

(Two Aboriginal people talking in an interview/discussion format)

This is a transcript of a general discussion between two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people around some guiding factors to consider for cultural safety and what each one means from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples perspective. (Note that not all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are the same, and for the purpose of this assessment, it is from the opinion of TAFE NSW and the engagement we have undertaken with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.)

Person 1: “I know there are several factors to consider when developing an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety Framework. One is about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety being a journey, but what does that mean from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples perspective?”

Person 2: “yes, it is a journey, this means that organisations grow their knowledge and understanding over time. That it is both an organisational journey but also a personal one. From an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples viewpoint, the organisation will take time and effort to connect with the Aboriginal Communities they are engaging with, regularly check in on how they are going with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It’s important they don’t try to rush the strategies or think that they have Cultural Safety completed in six months or 12 months. It’s a journey as it means that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are empowered and have self-determination in the programs and services delivered in their communities. This isn’t something that stops after a certain period of time. It’s ongoing.”

Person 1: “I agree, and there are many other factors to consider. Sometimes organisations forget the importance of putting services in locations that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are located or can access easily. Or don’t even ask Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people what services they want or need. This can be disempowering for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.”

Person 2: “That happens all the time. Most mainstream services usually don’t collaborate with us. They sometimes call it consultation, but it’s just a tokenistic effort. It needs to be genuine.”

Person 1: “It does, and they need to think about where they have the service. So often, they locate in places where we don’t feel safe. Like some big govt office block. They forget about the intergenerational trauma governments have inflicted on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and wonder why we don’t use services that reinforce the power imbalance.”

Person 2: “Or some services are just unaffordable. The whole colonisation effects, along with racism, means a lot of our mob have a low income. How can they offer a service that we can’t afford.”

Person 1: “That’s the problem, they don’t understand the details of what cultural safety is. They don’t follow any local protocols, all they do is put some dot painting up and thinks that’s making the environment safe for us. It’s more than that, they need to build a relationship, get to know who we are and what’s important to us.”

Person 2: ‘that’s why it’s important to build that relationship, what’s important today may change in time. If they don’t have us involved, how do they know what we need. If they offer a service we don’t need any more we don’t come”

Person 1: “That’s why creating a true Culturally Safe space/program is important. It’s not tokenistic. It looks at all aspects, knowledge, respect, inclusion, and empowerment. If all that’s included in a framework it’s more likely to succeed.”