DR HELEN CHRYSSIDES Remote Area Health Corps
Connecting cultures
View near clinic at Mt Liebig, NT
Perspectives of a Remote Area Nurse working in the Northern Territory For Remote Area Nurse Mayuko Homma, working
My generation only does that in an intimate
in Northern Territory (NT) communities has
relationship, not even with our parents once we
brought unexpected bonuses.
are grown up.’
‘I discovered Japanese and Indigenous people
These cultural differences stood May in good
share some aspects of communication,’ she says,
stead in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
‘We don’t, for example, like someone staring
communities. ‘I find it works well to sit alongside,
directly in our eyes.’
but not too close, to an Indigenous person at a
May found this intimidating when, not speaking a
clinic consultation. Both of us look down at our
word of English, she arrived in Melbourne in 1995.
own hands or thighs and occasionally acknowledge
Close physical distance was another issue.
one another with a glance.
‘When volunteering at a hospice, I gave my
‘Often there is a long silence, time to think
magnolia painting to a patient’s husband, as it
about whatever we are discussing. Being
was the couple’s favourite flower. He kissed my
Japanese, we do a lot of silence and non-verbal
cheek and hugged me in thanks. I freaked out.
communication so I’m comfortable with that.’
The Health Advocate • FEBRUARY 2022
27
