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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyI have learnt how easy it is to think and learn and reflect on change andgrowth in a warm, receptive, flexible environment of this conference inthis venue (Team SA Evaluation 2007).Interestingly, the concept of respecting to and listening to Elders resonatedparticularly for interstate members of ALARA and they spoke of finding outwho the Action Research and Action Learning ‘Elders’ were in theirorganisations and fields. This has led to a range of strategies and discussionsthat also revisit non-Aboriginal Elder wisdom.Putting new knowledge and learning into practiceWe then asked participants how they would put their new learning into practicein their work place or community. Many spoke of changing or remindingthemselves to work in ways that enabled people to have greater ownership ofprograms and research. Community consultation, being willing to listen andreally hear, working respectfully and using critical reflection were ways thatpeople would do this. Many spoke of a renewed interest in collaborativepractice and participative approaches and ways that they could see thisworking in their work place or community. One spoke of identifying anddrawing on Elder wisdom in the field of Action Research and Action Learning.In the university/education sector there were specific strategies including;continuing to use PAR in research and share knowledges gained withstudents across the faculty; Creating such an environment of listening,hearing and sharing experiences, actually in teaching in learning, andgiving a seminar within my school to highlight the statement and therelevance of action learning and action research (in the context of astrong push by the RCT lobby (Team SA Evaluation 2007).The need for of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal collaborationsOthers focused on ways of improving the recognition of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal collaborations. One group felt that an approach should be made tothe government about ways of working with Aboriginal people andcommunities, highlighting all the successful programs and projects that310