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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyThe group then entered into smaller group discussion around tables with ideasrecorded on butcher’s paper. These two activities became the basis of theformal evaluation of the two programs. After lunch, the youth worker thenprovided a sexual health session while I evaluated her as an accredited ShineSA evaluator. Following this there was social time over afternoon tea. Theyoung women were enjoying each others company and did not want to leave atthe end.When evaluated, it was found that this event was highly successful and wellreceived by all involved. The young women enjoyed meeting each other andhearing about each other’s programs, families and communities in a culturallysafe and supportive environment. The young women discussed their differingcommunities and how friendships and kinship occurred in both.The education staff found the day very positive. They were particularly excitedfor the oldest student who was hearing impaired and had spontaneously taken aleadership role with the aid of the sign interpreter. As the oldest of the youngwoman present, this was her cultural responsibility and right, and they said itwas significant that she took this opportunity as she was often very quiet. Theyensured that her role was included in her school academic assessment 59 .Both health and education co-researchers agreed that by workingcollaboratively with a common goal we had managed to meet a wide range ofneeds and agendas. We had expended minimal energy, opened the space forthe young women to take leadership, and a positive and effective day of social,physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being was created.Everyone involved enjoyed the day. Workers from youth, education and healthsectors were able to network and support each other, and the young womenwere able to meet other young people and co-host the event. It was a day ofcultural safety and knowledge sharing across many levels. People took theopportunity to try out new roles, ways of interacting and public speaking. Itwas also the most enjoyable way of evaluating a program that we had all beeninvolved in.59 One of the teachers noted that this one of the advantages of having teachers present was thatthey could take observations like this back and put them into the education system for the benefitof the young women – ie in this case to improve the young woman’s academic record.284