Gunditjmara Country

1. WHO WE ARECritical reflection in the context ofresearch and practicewith Indigenous peopleAngela ClarkeGunditjmaraOnemda Vichealth Koori Health UnitDeputy DirectorUniversity of Melbourne

2. Gunditjmara Country

3. OVERVIEW • ‘We Don’t Like Research’- history of research with Koori Communities • Koori views on research • Barriers to Koori Research • ‘We Can Like research if…’ • Ethical considerations • What works/Ideas/strategies for working together • c2c project

4. We Don’t Like Research • Workshop held in Shepparton in 1999 to get Koori Community’s view on research. Some of the issues raised were: • Research has a bad history in Communities • It is a suspicious process • “It (research) has generally ‘taken away’ and not ‘given back’ to Communities” • “Not based on outcomes of benefit to the Koori Community , but based on what the researchers want from it” • Should be modeled on ‘participatory action research’ “Collaborative research like action research means Kooris get to be involved step by step, is respectful, empowering and is about Community control and engagement.” Aunty Joan Vickery Gunditjmara Elder

5. Barriers to Koori Research • Lack of understanding, and mainstream acceptance, of Koori research aims, methodologies & approaches • Ignorance of qualifications and skills of Aboriginal people • Lack of trust/ consultation and conflict of ideas • Unrealistic timelines set by funding bodies • Lack of funding and resources within Community organisations • Community protocols ignored by non Koori researchers • “The biggest barrier is not enough Kooris being taught about research for us to be able to deliver it ourselves”

6. We Can Like Research • 4 workshops held in Echuca, VACCHO, Geelong and Bairnsdale in 2007 • Community members were asked, Has there been a shift in the Koori Community’s perception of research? • Many comments were similar to the 1999 workshop….However…

7. We Can Like Research..if • Kooris set the research agenda • More Kooris are involved in research • Kooris develop and advise on appropriate methodologies • Be involved in collecting data • Be involved in data analysis and theory building • Control the use of data, including publications • Gain knowledge and benefit from the research • Proper consultations need to take place with Koori organisations at a local level • More Community input/involvement from the start to the end of projects and programs

8. We Can Like Research…if • Meaningful partnerships with mainstream institutions are developed • Research needs to build capacity within Koori Communities • Recognise Koori Community organisations ability to set research agenda and direct the process • All researchers need to be familiar with Community processes and protocols • Cut out the jargon! • Promote community development, Community –control and the right to self- determination

9. Ethical Considerations National Health & Medical Research Council (2003), Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait

10. Ethical Considerations Researchers should ask themselves • Why do you want to work in Koori Communities • What are you getting out of it? • How will the Community benefit? • How will I cope with the challenges? • How do I ensure I don’t exploit the Community? • How do I know I have informed consent? • When will I know consultation has been adequate? • Who owns the data? • How will publications be negotiated?

11. Working Together • Consulting with Community when you have an idea for a research project • Write the proposal together • Agree on the methodology • Take the time to get to know each other which builds trust and respect • Deep listening • Ask questions • Steering committee with local Koori representation • Employing local people • “Confidentiality, privacy, and respect are paramount as a tool for researching our mob”

12. Perceptions of social work practice with Indigenous communities: Findings from a national study Investigators: Dr Lou Harms, Ms Angela Clarke, Professor Ian Anderson (The University of Melbourne), Dr John Whyte (RMIT University), Ms Jane Middleton (Mercy Hospital for Women) and Ms Judith Sloan (Royal Children’s Hospital). Research Assistants: Marita Smith, Marita Hagel and Anna Benton www.c2c.unimelb.edu.au

13. Preliminary focus group findings • MAIN CHALLENGES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS • Gaining trust, especially in view of history of colonisation & govt policies (assimilation, Stolen Generations, citizenship only since 1967) • Engagement • Different world-view, concept of family • Intergenerational poverty • Welfare dependence • Complexity of community politics

14. Preliminary focus group findings What social workers find most challenging about working with Indigenous populations: • Understanding family and community structure and connectivity • Addressing multiple problems • Working with cynicism and anger of community given history • Establishing trust What is important for social workers to know or learn about working with Indigenous populations • Education about family & community connections and unique/diverse histories • Talk with community Elders • Access resources • Doing placements in Community settings

15. References • We Don’t Like Research. But in Koori hands it could make a difference. (2000) Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, The University Of Melbourne, Melbourne. • We Can Like Research…in Koori Hands: (2007). Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne. • VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit. (2001). Research – Understanding Ethics. • Smith, L. T. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies : research and indigenous peoples. Dunedin, N.Z., University of Otago Press. • Laycock,A. with Walker,D.,Harrison,N.& Brands,J.2009, Supporting Indigenous Researchers: a Practical Guide for Supervisors, Cooperative research Centre for Aboriginal health, Darwin. • National Health & Medical Research Council (2003), Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait.