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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyCollaboration Area One, and young Aboriginal women from CollaborationArea Three. Regional health managers were also positioned as stakeholderswho influenced and were influenced by our research.Negotiated research focusI initially met with staff and managers as part of the community consultationprocess and invited their input into the research design and focus. Aboriginalmanagers asked that I take more than one perspective into view, and that I didnot stir up existing conflicts between local Aboriginal community membersand the Aboriginal health team. Aboriginal health staff members asked that theresearch complement rather than complicate their work load as they werealready struggling to meet everyday demands. Community health staff andmanagers asked that I take into account the significant work across the campusin the past and present toward working with Aboriginal people. Aboriginalcommunity women from Collaboration Area One asked for an increase ingroup programs.Coding of dataIt was co-researchers’ preference that I use a referencing style that deidentifiedtheir positions and cultural background due the need to maintainconfidentiality in a small intimate setting where staff members were wellknown and easily identified. Accordingly I have coded interviews and focusgroup conversations as AH – Aboriginal Health, CH – Community Health, Hp- Health professional (Aboriginal health worker, community health nurse,midwife, receptionist), Mg –manager, Int – interview, FG – focus group, and D– discussion.HistoryThe opening of the Gilles Plains Aboriginal Neighbourhood House /AboriginalOutreach Health Service 46 in May 2005 was a highly anticipated and longawaited event. Many events that impacted on the Aboriginal health serviceoccurred before staff members were involved at Gilles Plains Community46 The Aboriginal Neighbourhood House was renamed the Aboriginal Outreach Health Service in2006 reflecting a change in direction.210