Our journey to understanding is more than our Reconciliation Action Plan

Smoking ceremony at IAHA Cultural Responsiveness Training 2019

Occupational Therapy Australia

Our journey to understanding has no defined end. It is a continuum of learning, growth and maturity. Just as a tree has many branches, our Reconciliation Action Plan will flourish and grow over time.

The Reflect RAP endorsement formalises our reportable commitments to reconciliation with Reconciliation Australia. This includes improving internal structures, reviewing cultural learning needs and implementing appropriate governance. The Reflect RAP will ensure we improve opportunities to increase understanding and build and show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

The Reflect RAP is part of our commitment and links to our strategy to “embed and progress cultural and community diversity through recognition, respect and inclusion of all Australians in all demographics and communities”.

Bundyi–Girri

In early 2020, just before Covid-19, a group of OTA staff including CEO Samantha Hunter undertook an immersive program with Bundyi-Girri. The program encouraged us to actively learn and authentically explore our own personal relationship to First Nations people and reconciliation.

Indigenous-led and owned Bundyi-Girri guided our team to develop skills to engage meaningfully in reconciliation.

The Bundyi-Girri program builds upon cultural awareness, providing our team with the fundamental skills to develop an active, authentic relationship with Indigenous people, knowledge and country for respectful engagement.

OTA aims to continue to strengthen its relationship with Bundyi-Girri and explore opportunities to share this experience with others.

Indigenous identifier question

In 2020 our database fields were changed so members can now answer a question about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity. We are now collecting this information to help better understand our membership.

We know there are occupational therapists in Australia who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and by asking this question we can work towards providing culturally safe and welcoming experiences for all members and develop appropriate resources.

As we consider, develop and evaluate workforce strategies in the coming years, we can look to partner with appropriate organisations to develop and co-design pathways for more occupational therapists who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The format of the question and options of answers is based on Australian Institute for Health and Welfare National best practice guidelines, consultation with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) and a review of the question format of similar associations and organisations.

A number of strategies to assist our journey to understanding encourages the association to extend an invitation to work collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. This gives voice to how the association can approach reconciliation and celebrate and highlight achievements.

Learning and development

Recognising that cultural safety training is a core requirement for registration, OTA supports learning and development:

• During 2019, OTA in partnership with

IAHA gave members and staff the chance to undertake cultural responsiveness training to reinforce our commitment to being, knowing and doing. • The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence online course provides foundation-level knowledge in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultures and societies. • The trauma-informed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural capability online course is designed as an introduction to trauma and its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people and is an extension to the cultural competence course.

These online courses are provided through the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia–a majority Indigenous-owned organisation dedicated to the training and development of individuals and organisations.

National Conference and events

Our national conference and large-scale events have had a long-standing commitment to respectfully acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands in which we have conducted business. From Welcome to Country ceremonies to panel discussions and heartfelt yarns, our major events are designed and curated to inspire and challenge thinking. This year’s conference was no exception.

President Carol McKinstry’s “Conversation with Aunty Lyn Warren” provided social narratives that enhanced our shared understanding. What a privilege. Thank you, Carol, for introducing us to your friend and reminding us all about the power of connection and relationships at the core of community engagement. Aunty Lyn reminds us all to build rapport and take time to be with people and have genuine interactions. Her stories were inspirational and full of advice we can apply in a range of settings.

Over40%of our members have voluntarily updated their profile and responded to the Indigenous identifier question. Keynote speakers

Michael Kirby’s inspiring address cast a spotlight on the challenges facing occupational therapists and their communities who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

He detailed Australian history including the incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encouraged us to “provide a voice, listen sincerely and without the disdain and find ways to respond”.

Professor Gregory Phillips from the Waanyi and Jaru Aboriginal Australian people spoke on unconscious bias and informal beliefs. He encouraged our workforce to develop knowledge and capability and unlearn the history lessons taught to previous generations. Professor Phillips challenged our thinking around racism, race relations and cultural safety, and decolonisation, and inspired health professionals towards a better Australia.

Our learning, our growth and the respect we show is our responsibility. As a profession we can lay a framework, but it is up to each occupational therapist to seek education, explore opportunities and to respectfully discover their own connection to reconciliation and First Nations people.

The Reflect RAP is part of our commitment and links to our strategy to “embed and progress cultural and community diversity through recognition, respect and inclusion of all Australians in all demographics and communities