Week 6.8

Question 1

Program trying to solve long term consequences

Answer 1

Closing the Gap

Question 2

Is is likely to be successful? Why? (5)

Answer 2

• Unlikely to be successful
• Has been given a 30-year timeline to mend this inter-generational impact
• Got this generation to repair, but also have their children as well
• E.g. if now taken drugs, now have criminal history - parenting for next generation (more crime, more violence)
• Not a simple problem

Question 3

How white is your psychology?

Answer 3

Usually not courses dedicated to Indigenous issues

Usually have cross-cultural but not just Indigenous

Question 4

Questions to think about

Answer 4

What percentage of courses in your overall program were solely focused on Indigenous Australians?

What percentage of courses in your overall program included information on Indigenous Australians?

I know there are no psychology courses solely focused on Indigenous psychology?

What percentage of psychology courses in your overall program included information on Indigenous Australians?

Question 5

Resolution of inequality through (5)

Answer 5

• Injustice
• Healing
• Reconciliation
• Forgiveness
• Acknowledging the [negative] impact of culture

Question 6

APS recommendation

Answer 6

In order to work with Aboriginal people in a culturally safe, respectful and appropriate manner, psychologists should work towards becoming culturally competent. Further, with Stolen Generation survivors, they must listen to their individual stories as they evolve, rather than asking too many questions as this may appear intrusive. They must develop a trusting relationship, and be transparent and authentic about the processes of psychological intervention before trying to address any past traumas. With this information, Stolen Generation survivors will determine with whom they may wish to work on a therapeutic or healing level. Above all, psychologists must understand the traumatic history of forcible removal of children and its collective impacts on Aboriginal people, and in so doing assist in healing the past and orienting Australia’s first peoples towards full and productive lives

Question 7

However, this is…

Answer 7

A “bandage” approach that falls well short of resolution of inequality

Question 8

Further issues (2)

Answer 8

• Individual focus, not a community focus

- Not trying to solve problem at a big enough level to solve the problem