Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyFrom a community nurse /researcher perspective, creating this group was amulti layered negotiation and capacity building exercise.Co-researcher evaluation of the women’s friendship groupDuring our monthly meetings we reflected on how the group was going,whether it was meeting everyone’s needs, and if so how and why? If not, whatelse could we do? The women discussed that coming to the group was helpingthem to deal more effectively with the complex personal, family andcommunity issues in their lives, such as;financial and legal concerns, housing issues, domestic violence, mentalhealth concerns, caring for someone else with a mental or physicalillness, alcohol and dependence, raising their own and extended familychildren, children being in trouble with the law, lack of transport,illnesses, isolation, discrimination, grief and loss, and too many funerals(WFG M2).Most of the women said that they found it useful to informally discuss theirlives with others in the group, who offered suggestions, strategies and support.When appropriate I also suggested possible referrals to services and agencies.Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women experience difficultiesBoth Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women spoke about issues related tosocioeconomic situations, unemployment, violence, disability and parentingchildren and teenagers and accessing services, reinforcing the concept withinpostcolonial feminism (Browne et al 2005; McConaghy 2000) that complexand multiple issues impact on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women’s livesbeyond racial differences. After identifying that many women had financialconcerns, we invited a financial counsellor to come each week to speak withthe women and then see them one on one in a confidential office to workthrough outstanding bills, child and family payments. 41 . The women reflectedthat addressing financial concerns was a major benefit to their mental healthand well-being. They also identified that being encouraged and trusted to make41 We met the financial counsellor on campus. She was coming to attend the AboriginalNeighbourhood House, but her hours clashed with the diabetes group, so she spent a termworking with the women in the women’s friendship group instead.184