‘It all comes back to community!’: A qualitative study of Aboriginal Elders promoting cultural well‐being

Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal people) represent the oldest continuous culture in the world, with complex social, cultural, spiritual and ecological knowledge systems developed over millennia. [1][2][3][4] Aboriginal people conceptualise health and well-being in holistic and relational terms that are distinct from Western biomedical models of health. 5 Holistic health is coupled to Aboriginal culture, identity, spirituality, kinship and healing practices. [6][7][8][9][10] Aboriginal Elders are recognised as cultural custodians who play an important role in maintaining family and community cohesion. 8 The importance of culture for Aboriginal well-being is emerging in recent Aboriginal scholarship. A comprehensive literature review identified nine interconnected wellbeing themes important to Aboriginal people including: autonomy; empowerment and recognition; family and community; culture, spirituality and identity; Country;

Aboriginal community‐controlled art centres: Keeping Elders strong and connected. Articulating an ontologically situated, intergenerational model of care

“…Similarly, to studies exploring the roles of older Aboriginal peoples, artists of all ages emphasized the role and purpose of older artists in teaching younger generations through culturally appropriate methods, such as storytelling. [1][2][3][4]6 Older artists emphasised that while they have a responsibility and gain great satisfaction from teaching, they too are still learning, which was also raised in a recent study. 4 The art centres facilitate this and enable older people to practice their cultural obligations through everyday occupations as an artist, director, and/or staff member.…”

“…The importance of safety has been highlighted in scholarship exploring the role of older people in the context of historical and ongoing everyday structural racism, economic disadvantage and loss. [1][2][3][4]6 Safety is interpreted as time out from daily stressors and those resulting from loss, grief or trauma; to access supports without judgement; and to be "who they are" where elsewhere colonial and racist norms dominate health, social, education, and justice structures. [5][6][7]36 Examples of being with Country, or bringing Country to those unable to travel, are critical in nurturing well-being.…”

“…Older Aboriginal people play vital roles in promoting well-being within their communities. [1][2][3][4] These roles are practised through connecting with, caring for and mentoring younger generations [1][2][3][4] ; safeguarding identity; passing down knowledge 1 ; healing; seeking balance between health services and their community's foundations 3 ; and nurturing the cultural, 3 social, and emotional aspects of well-being. 4 Decolonising occupations 4 and programs 1,5 to better reflect the cultural obligations of older people and reinforce community well-being requires the ongoing attention of researchers, policy makers and funders.…”

“…4 Decolonising occupations 4 and programs 1,5 to better reflect the cultural obligations of older people and reinforce community well-being requires the ongoing attention of researchers, policy makers and funders. 1,3,[5][6][7] Adding to this work, our Participatory Action Research (PAR) study explored how three Aboriginal communitycontrolled art centres support the role of older people, Elders, and people living with dementia. Although the study included aged care providers, this paper analyses stories shared by those associated with the art centres.…”

“…Older Aboriginal people play vital roles in promoting well‐being within their communities 1–4 . These roles are practised through connecting with, caring for and mentoring younger generations 1–4 ; safeguarding identity; passing down knowledge 1 ; healing; seeking balance between health services and their community's foundations 3 ; and nurturing the cultural, 3 social, and emotional aspects of well‐being 4 .…”