DELVE-ing into Cultural Humility: How Respect and Deep Listening Can Heal A Nation

By Cindy Anne Mathers

Creating a Nation That Is Fair for Us All

Cindy Mathers has experienced firsthand the impact of our traumatised, fragmented, and broken systems on First Nations people, and indeed us all. She has been mentored by and worked collaboratively with First Nations people for over two decades, learning through respect

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capucia Publishing
• Release date: Nov 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954920828

Book preview

Author’s Note

I use the term First Nations people because I feel it is more respectful, and that it clearly identifies that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were on this land, living in harmony with nature, their environment, and each other, long before colonisation.

First Nations people comprise many different and distinct groups, each with their own language, stories, and culture. It is estimated they were living in Australia at least sixty-five thousand years ago.

A Non-First Nations person is someone like me, of English and Irish descent. My ancestors were colonisers and immigrants.

You may find the terms Indigenous and Aboriginal used in the book and this is when it is part of a title. However, in this book, it means the same as First Nations people of this country.

The term Country (with a capital C) is a respectful way to acknowledge that Country is family, and that it is a place that is alive with the spirits of the ancestors, elements, and all living things. If you can be deeply present on Country and listen to what she can tell you, she nourishes and restores life to all those who take the time to connect, respect, and love her.

Contents

Introduction: Creating a New Way Forward

Chapter 1: Who Am I to Tell This Story?

Chapter 2: Why Is Individual and Ancestral Healing So Important?

More Training

Developing a Growth Mindset

Cultural Fitness

Chapter 3: Deconstruct—How Did Our Systems Become So Broken and Fragmented?

Colonisation

Aboriginal Studies

Traumatised Systems

The Impact of System Failure

Pilot Programs

Unconscious Bias

Chapter 4: Explore—What Is the Impact of Disrespect and Disregard of Other’s Human Rights on Us All?

Voice of a First Nations Trauma-Aware,

Healing-Informed Leader

The Absolute Truth

Revolting against the Imbalance of Power

Chapter 5: Listening—with Deep Presence and Open Hearts to What Has Happened to the First Nations People in Our Country.

Start with Our Own Healing and

Create Space for Others to Heal

Indigenous Ways of Valuing,

Knowing, Being, and Doing

Indigenous Cultures Stages of Knowledge

Laughter the Key to Learning

Eight Aboriginal Ways of Learning

The Value of Having a First Nations Mentor

Courageous Collaborators

Graduation

Chapter 6: Viable—What Is Already Working That Honours the Human Rights of All?

Substantive Equality

Reasonable Adjustment

Recognising Prior Learning

Nature Is the Best Classroom of All

Community Led, Place-Based Initiatives

Mentoring Programs for First

Nations People

We Have Access to the Wisdom of

the Oldest Continuous Culture

Co-created, Culturally Safe,

Evaluation Tools

Programs Created by First Nations People

My Story as a Non-first Nations Participant

in the We Al-li Programs

Trauma-Informed Care Asks What

Happened to a Person

Understanding Trauma Responses

Understanding Cultural Humility

Using a Genogram to Understand a Story

Holistic, Trauma-Aware,

Healing-Informed Programs

Story Mapping

Creating New Stories Using

Story Mapping

Young First Nations Leaders

Bringing in New Hope for Us All

Culturally Appropriate Healing Tools

Promoting Resilience

First Nations Community-Led

Healing Programs

Chapter 7: Energise—What Collaborative or First-Nations-Led Initiatives Are Working? Energise Them!

Children’s Ground

We Al-li Programs

Yiriman Project in the Kimberley

Lurujarri Dreaming Trail in the Kimberley

Education and Mentoring Support

BackTrack

Indigenous Allied Health Australia

Indigenous Psychological Services

First Nations Reports and Submissions

to Generate Change

Healing Power of Being on Country:

Family Bush Play Pilot Program

Chapter 8: A Summary of My Learnings

Cultural Humility Tips

Trauma-Aware, Healing-Informed

Service Delivery