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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellysometimes Aboriginal people will dislike or distrust someoneimmediately. There is something that they pick up, a feeling, or vibe thatputs them on guard. It takes a long time to get past that initial feeling(Journal notes September 06).Once again, on the way back in the car, Rose reflected on how positive theexperience was, that it was scary, challenging and nerve racking, but alsoincredibly empowering (Journal notes September 06). She noted that peoplehad listened intently, and this was a powerful experience for her. She offered tocome and co-present again if the opportunity arose. Mentally I remindedmyself not to doubt community women’s strength and abilities.In the following weeks, I shared with stakeholders on the campus howpowerfully the community women had presented, and how well they had beenreceived. This challenged entrenched viewpoints that some stakeholders heldabout some of the women. The conferences were internationally and nationallyrespected and to speak at them involved particular skills and recognition; thatthe women were involved as co-authors and co-presenters required people toview them in a new light. I came to understand our co-writing and copresentationsas a decolonising and postcolonial transformation strategy(Ashcroft 2001b; Said 1993). We had used colonial systems and hierarchies inways that levelled the playing field, created opportunities for those oftenmarginalised and challenged mainstream assumptions.In mid 2007, Rose and I again co presented at the National Action Learningand Action Research conference at Tauondi College that I co-created withanother group of co-researchers (Collaboration Area Four). The experiences ofRose, Jo and the other community women heavily influenced my decision toco-develop a culturally safe and respectful space where Aboriginal peoplesknowledges and preferred ways of knowing and doing could be recognised.One of the staff members from Aboriginal health assisted and supported Roseto get to the conference. Once again Rose was very nervous, and yet she spokefrom the heart. People have since told me that her words, and the way wepresented together, impacted greatly on them. At the time of re-writing thisparagraph (June 2008) I have just presented my research findings at a GeneralPractice and Primary Health Care Conference in Hobart. I realised that my194