Reflecting on Cultural safety

The Parenting Research Centre (PRC) team recently gathered to take another step on our Cultural learning journey at a special session expertly guided by Tina McGhie, a proud Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri woman of NSW and ACT and the Co-Chief Executive Officer at Curijo.

With a focus on enhancing our awareness and knowledge of the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences, the session provided insight into how the trajectories of communities have been affected, disrupted and devastated by various government legislation, policies and actions since invasion and colonisation.

Tina invited us to consider the concept of Cultural safety, to be aware of our own values and biases, and to recognise when we might be feeling self-conscious or judged as we collaborate with others.

“Cultural safety is also about recognising how other people are feeling and their beliefs and making our workplaces and other places a safe place to talk about these things,” Tina said.

We also explored ways that our internal and external work practices could better consider the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural nuances in communicating, beliefs, and ways of doing things.

In reflecting on the day, CEO Rob Ryan said the commitment by the PRC team to collective action and building ways that we can each make a difference was great to see.

“The session marked an important moment in our organisation’s ongoing journey of walking together,” Rob said.

“Sessions such as this, in conjunction with our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), highlight our commitment towards truth-telling and reconciliation, how what has happened – and continues to happen – in Australia has ripple effects that cause trauma and inequalities, which persist in many forms today.”

A takeaway from the event was an individual call to action for each staff member that advances our Cultural awareness and builds a commitment to partnership. In response, our RAP and leadership teams will work together to promote reconciliation for the benefit of children, young people, individuals, families and communities.

More information

• Find out more about our RAP journey
• Find out more about Curijo