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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet Kellyand stories these inspiring women discussed how their health service wovewestern research methods into local cultural and traditional ways to create aresponsive program. As a result of the conference, one of the workers isconsidering further study in Aboriginal and/or participatory action research.She said that PAR seemed a positive way forward through the complexities ofher work place (CA4 E3).A collective from the Gilles Plains Community Campus co presented a sessiondiscussing collaborative practice. An Aboriginal Elder man, a nurse fromAboriginal health, the principal of the Gilles Plains Primary School and thenurse/manager of Gilles Plains community health services all came together topresent the history of Gilles Plains and how they had developed collaborativepractice across the campus. The co-writing of the presentation, as well as copresentingfurther strengthened ties across the campus (CA4 E 4).Look and listen again - Evaluating the conferenceAs part of the PAR process we invited all participants to evaluate theconference. Evaluation sheets were provided and completed individually or insmall groups depending on preference, literacy level and time frames. As partof the conference we facilitated small group and larger group discussionsregarding the conference, action research and action learning, and where tofrom here.The highlightsThe majority of people spoke of the value of learning through hearing aboutother people’s real life experiences, and how this bridged the practice theorygap, or the ‘will it really work’ question. The Yolgnu women’s presentationwas often mentioned as a good example of this. Others commented on thebroad and wide range of action research and action learning styles discussedthroughout the conference and how this gave them many choices to considerusing themselves. Many spoke about the level of awareness, learning andsharing that was evident throughout the conference. Most enjoyed theatmosphere, environment, level of acceptance and flexibility. They appreciatedthe generosity of spirit between participants and between speakers and308