Values of urban Aboriginal parents: Food before thought

Abstract

Using qualitative methodology, this study investigated values of urban Aboriginal parents, particularly with respect to parenting and child development. Data were collected from five urban‐dwelling Aboriginal parents aged between 25 and 55 years. Participants were parents of children aged between 18 months and 25 years. All participants were also employed in the fields of education or health where they had frequent involvement with other indigenous parents through welfare support or school or health programs. Each informant participated in either an individual interview or focus group. Supplemental data were also collected from participant observation in a kindergarten setting. Descriptions of Aboriginal parents’ values and parenting styles are reported. The main values included an emphasis on maintaining social relationships and cultural identity with an overriding need for survival and security. Implications for occupational therapy practice and further research with urban Aboriginal families are suggested.

Practical strategies for working with indigenous people living in Queensland, Australia

“…Through research, review or professional experience, occupational therapists throughout Australia consistently identified similar key strategies for enhancing culturally appropriate practice (Preston, 1990;Glynn, 1993;Haig, 1993;Wolstenholme, 1996;Elliot-Schmidt and Strong, 1997;Fitzgerald et al, 1997;Nelson and Allison, 2000). These key strategies are: cultural awareness training during undergraduate education and for practising service providers; collaboration with and employment of indigenous people in health and disability services; involvement of significant family members in therapy sessions; collaborative goal setting with the client/family; indigenous community education about health and disability services; and flexibility in practice.…”

“…These strategies were also recommended by Bostock (1991), an Aboriginal advocate for indigenous people with disabilities. Nelson and Allison (2000) conducted semi-structured interviews with five Aboriginal parents employed in education or health services in southeast Queensland. Nelson and Allison (2000) recommended that occupational therapy intervention should respect individuality and acknowledge aspects of Aboriginal culture, which may impact on clients.…”

“…Nelson and Allison (2000) conducted semi-structured interviews with five Aboriginal parents employed in education or health services in southeast Queensland. Nelson and Allison (2000) recommended that occupational therapy intervention should respect individuality and acknowledge aspects of Aboriginal culture, which may impact on clients. They suggested that these clients need an environment where they feel safe and the option of another Aboriginal person with whom they can liaise.…”

“…They suggested that these clients need an environment where they feel safe and the option of another Aboriginal person with whom they can liaise. Nelson and Allison (2000) also recognized that children from Aboriginal families are often accustomed to group approaches to learning and may prefer not to be singled out for occupational therapy intervention.…”

“…Most Australian literature has focused on occupational therapy and Aboriginal people, with little mention of Torres Strait Islander people, and is restricted to rural/remote areas of the Northern Territory, New South Wales and urban southeast Queensland. Some authors, including Nelson and Allison (2000) and Preston (1990), strongly emphasized the influence of regional diversity among Australia's indigenous people and subsequent local differences in beliefs, values and experiences. The purpose of this study was to describe the specific strategies that occupational therapists perceived as facilitating the cultural appropriateness of their practice for indigenous people living in rural and remote areas of Queensland.…”