Resources

ABC Message Stick. (Aug 2002). Code switching: a communication survival skill. Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Living in a country in which English is the dominant language, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had to adapt the ways in which they communicate. But this isn't an easy task since there is more to language difference than the words used. Explore this extraordinary skill in this clip.

ATSIC, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services, Department of Indigenous Affairs & Department of the Premier and Cabinet Citizens and Civics Unit. (n.d.). Engaging with Aboriginal Western Australians. Perth: Department of Indigenous Affairs.

This resource is intended as a comprehensive strategy on engaging Aboriginal people in social policy and program delivery in a holistic manner, and from a government service delivery context. A resource developed by the WA Government which provides detailed information on principles of engagement and best practice examples.

Bishop, B.J., Vicary, D.A., Mitchell, J.A., & Pearson, G. (Nov 2012). Aboriginal Concepts of Place and Country and their Meaning in Mental Health. The Australian Community Psychologist. Volume 24 No 2. Pp.26-42. The Australian Psychological Society Ltd.

This research looks specifically at the importance of place in Aboriginal worldviews. There exists a wide gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal understandings of mental health, in particular, and culture more generally. Concepts such as ‘country’ need to be understood by non-Aboriginal practitioners for them to be able to provide a quality service that is culturally appropriate.

Calgaret, T. (2007). Enhancing the planning and delivery of services to Aboriginal people in Western Australia. A guide for not-for-profit services funded by the Department for Child Protection.

The principles, concepts and strategies contained in this guide are intended to assist services to increase their knowledge base and confidence to engage appropriately and sensitively with Aboriginal people when planning for and providing services.

ClinEdAus (2013). Building Relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Dr Alison Nelson from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health explains why building effective relationships is essential for allied health students and professionals when working within an Indigenous context.

Hunt, J. (2013). Engaging with Indigenous Australia— exploring the conditions for effective relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Issues paper no. 5. Canberra: Closing the Gap Clearinghouse.

This paper overviews the research-based evidence on how engagement can be developed and maintained. It examines what research shows about the conditions that enable governments and others (non-government organisations and the private sector) to engage effectively with Indigenous communities, and how these conditions can be enhanced for effective engagement between governments and Indigenous communities. The major focus of this paper is on research into government engagement at the regional level as this provides the most research or evaluation evidence.

Perth Region NRM. (n.d.). Guide to Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement in the Swan Region.

This guide has been developed to increase understanding of Aboriginal consultation processes and the associated legal requirements, as well as the benefits of engaging with the Nyoongar community. It reflects the consultation protocols set out by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) and refers to current state legislation and policy relating to cultural heritage and Aboriginal consultation. It provides a simple overview of the steps to be taken before planning a project or conducting work on a site in the Swan region.

Spalding, K. (2013). Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: A review of the literature. Sydney: The Benevolent Society.

This is a review of the literature regarding how to effectively engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.