Cultural Sensitivity

One of five publications that report on the work of the Funding, Accountability and Results (FAR) project.

Brief overview of project and list of documents associated with it.

Study suggests that inadequate responsiveness, on the part of a local Indian Health Service (IHS), can become a crucial determinant to switching to tribal management.

Discusses the process of developing a relationship between health care workers and Traditional Elders in order to develop a position which would best serve the spiritual needs of Aboriginal patients. Chapter Five of The Spiritual Care Giver’s Guide to Identity, Practice & Relationships: Transforming the Honeymoon in Spiritual Care and Therapy edited by Thomas St. James O'Connor, Colleen Lashmar, and Elizabeth Meakes.

Examines the four aspects of this occupation and the stresses that can arise due to conflict among the roles performed.

Article advocates for larger and more culturally responsive role for Aboriginal health workers.

Discusses the importance of core foundational beliefs and values being integrated into programs including experience, world view, community, family, relationships, respect, atmosphere and open door policy.

Anthropology Thesis (M.A.)--McMaster University, 1997.

Discusses the role of an Elder in counseling sessions with Aboriginal clinicians trained in Western healing intervention, providing insight into their problems both from an Aboriginal perspective as well as from a western clinical perspective.

Describes the impact of a locally produced interactive video on sexual attitudes and behaviour in Tanzania.

Discusses approaches to mental health based on different world views and principles of Many Hands One Dream as a basis for improvement in healthcare for Aboriginal children and youth.

Position statement articulates the aspirational goals of the College of Physicians in the two countries.

Reports on the initiatives to promote a greater Aboriginal component to the sector of mental health workers in Australia.

RCAP 162 contains a transcript of the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Crystal Palace Convention Centre, Moncton, New Brunswick. Subjects discussed are health care, friendship centres and Aboriginal culture.

The file contains further comments by Sheldon Wells. Wells, a part-time student at the University of Lethbridge, discusses his view that there should be support groups for Aboriginal children, including youth treatment centres for drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, and increased cultural programming.

This file contains an individual presentation by June Deslisle, a member of the Bear Clan who has been involved with Aboriginal health care in Quebec for 40 years. She discusses a number of topics, including the establishment of a school in an old pool hall in Kahnawake, her involvement as a volunteer with the Kateri Memorial Hospital since 1955 and ending in 1991, and self-government. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Iris Allen and Margaret Webb focusing on the problems created by the lack of health care services for Inuit people in Labrador. They discuss health problems created by substance abuse, family violence and inadequate housing. The speakers are particularly concerned with the physical and mental health of the youth of Labrador. They call on the Commission to increase financial and professional assistance to Labrador Inuit communities, and to ensure these communities have input in local health care programs.

File contains a presentation by Mary Charleson of Victoria, British Columbia, via sign language interpreter. Charleson attended the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf in Vancouver where there were few Aboriginal people. She would like to see a program for assisting hearing-impaired Aboriginal people who want to return to their reserve. A discussion with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary Jane Moses relating to health services in Old Crow. Because of the high turnover of nurses, Moses suggests shorter rotations for nurses in the district to prevent burnout. Moses also recommends that courses on Aboriginal and Inuit culture be included in the education of nurses who work in the North. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains a presentation by Melanie Omeniho that first describes her organization's mandate as being a political activist group that continues to develop and/or improve social structures to meet the needs of Metis women. The group assists in developing economic bases for Metis women, as well as developing educational and culturally sensitive opportunities to better the lives of Metis women.

File contains a presentation by Rhoda Fiander, social worker at Waterford Hospital, St. John's, Newfoundland. Waterford Hospital has the only psychiatric facility in Newfoundland. She presents five recommendations to assist in the treatment of mental health issues for Aboriginal people, including improved access to interpreting services, training of social work staff that includes Aboriginal culture issues, and support and advocacy must be given to Aboriginal peoples' desire to heal themselves. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Richard Mills and Evelyn Buffalo focusing on the approach Aboriginals have toward health care: the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects. The two presenters state that an Aboriginal health centre is required as non-Aboriginal health care workers do not understand the Aboriginal approach to health care. They anticipate the new health centre to be open in 1993.

Portion of a sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples held in Vancouver, British Columbia dealing with treatment of HIV and AIDS; includes questions from George Erasmus.

Emphasizes that an understanding of the Rule of Opposites is essential for counselors working with Native American clients.

Author relates experiences as a alcoholism counsellor and manager of a facility and offers advice on managing such a organization.

Contains health worker reflections on the program which is designed to provide appropriate cultural experiences in South Australia.

Chapter from: Reach Out: Connect. Contemporary TheMHS in Mental Health Services by Paula Hanlon, Sadie Robertson, Kevin Kellerhear, Cathy Issakidis, Vivienne Miller ... [et al.].

Presenters stressed the need for community involvement to produce mutually beneficial research.

Article describes Rural360 as a research incubator which provides funding and support for Northern Newfoundland and Coastal Labrador (NNCL) physicians to design and conduct research which improves accessible and culturally relevant healthcare in NNCL.

Article contains a speech delivered at the SA (South Australia) Drug Summit discussing the social policies of the various political parties.

Training manual for facilitating an interactive presentation dealing with HIV/AIDS in Aboriginal communities

Looks at resources identified as promising practice for diabetes prevention in urban areas and off reserve.

Describes the use of etuaptmumk and ethical space in collaborative research with pregnant and post-natal Indigenous women living with HIV and Aids.

Landscape Architecture Thesis (MLA)--University of Manitoba, 2009.

Findings indicate that greater language proficiency by physicians can improve Sami-speaking patient satisfaction.

Describes the creation process of a 9 minute instructional video aimed at improving foot care among the Australian Aboriginal community.

Māori and Pacific Health Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Auckland, 2013.

Author combines Buddhist teaching and the traditional teachings of the Indigenous peoples of the North West Coast to talk about healing from trauma and loss.

Reports on the history and the effect that traumatic events can play in the development of a psychotic episode.

Brief article reports on the formation of ten scholarships for 2005 and a further ten in 2006 in Australia.

Examined 58 validation studies of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and concluded that low predictive accuracy with culturally diverse women suggests cultural biase.

Explores how collaborative community based participatory research in health care delivery can address Aboriginal disenfranchisement.

Describes various events held at the National Rural Health Conference (Australia) to provide delegates with an overview of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organization's (NACCHO) work.

Recommendations cover many topics including: education and training, recruitment and retention, and cross cultural awareness.

Study showed that people's reasons for going to the Emergency Department for walk-in issues were shaped by complex social, economic and personal factors.

Discusses the need for a greater understanding and respect of Aboriginal practices that can inform, enrich, and enhance social work practice with concepts including wholeness, balance, relationships, harmony, growth and healing.

Discusses research done by the Southern Saskatchewan/Urban Aboriginal Health Coalition to create culturally respectful health care in two Saskatchewan Aboriginal communities.

Indigenous Specialization Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Victoria, 2010.