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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellypractices that have led to specific expectations and experiences discussed byAboriginal women and Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal health professionals inspecific Collaboration Areas of this research.In Chapter Four I provide a deeper discussion about the concepts of respectful twowayknowledge sharing, collaborative action and postcolonial feminist theory thatunderpin this thesis and research. I begin by explaining Western concepts ofcommunication and knowledge interests, and Aboriginal concepts of Ganma twowayknowledge sharing across cultures and Dadirri deep listening. Issues that canprevent or interrupt respectful knowledge such treating people as ‘Others’ andneeding to understand and work with cultural understandings and different culturalunderstandings are highlighted. Considering these aspects together enables abroader concept of knowledge sharing suitable for Aboriginal women’s health caresettings. The second section explores how knowledge and power sharing can lead tocollaborative action. The concept of liberation and community development isbased on the idea people can be supported to improve their life situation, health andwell being. The third section discusses the use of postcolonial feminism to countercolonisation, discrimination and exclusion. In particular, a combination ofpostcolonial theory and feminism enables health professionals to provide culturallysafe care that meets clients’ own needs. A recognition of a range of knowledges asbeing valid in evidence based practice enables health professionals to utilisesubjective professional, client focused and cultural knowledge and priorities as wellas external and objective biomedical / technical knowledge. I begin by discussingknowledge sharing as the building blocks of collaboration and culturally safe healthcare.Chapter five discusses the ethical approach and methods used in this research,chosen in consultation with co-researchers. I explain how Aboriginal healthresearch ethics have been used to guide this research, and then discuss how we cocreatedan appropriate participatory action research approach to specifically meetco-researchers needs. A range of methods including literature and documentreview, semi structured interviews and focus groups guided by trigger questions,and the analyses of emerging themes were used. Repeated cycles of Look andListen, Think and Discuss and Take Action enabled us to explore ways ofaddressing Aboriginal women’s health and well-being priorities at one urban24