The Importance Of Being Cultural Competent By Doris Pilkington Garimara

It is sickening to most Canadians, and many citizens globally, when they discover the harsh ‘disciplinary actions’ most governments inflicted on Indigenous people. Governments at the time, were unapologetic for their cruelty, and still continue to be, despite their ‘tremendous effort’ to rebuild the relationship between themselves and Aboriginal groups . The effects of the assimilation and genocide of Indigenous people globally, continue to haunt their communities and families in the modern-day, with little, proper support from the government. Besides monetary bursaries, the government is completely absent when it comes to proper support and reconciliation. Most countries, including Canada, convoluted in this harsh treatment. Despite the attempted genocides, the Aboriginal community attempts to prosper, but still continues to fail in many aspects. Aboriginal community members continue to struggle in their personal and family life, especially on the subject of intergenerational trauma. Yet, the government(s) chose to become oblivious to these facts and still do not know how to properly rebuild the ties with Indigenous peoples, nor do they attempt to properly do so.  The government has been falling through with their promises to the Indigenous communities and the consequences of the governments actions are detrimental.

I have learned that it is important that educators  and health providers be trained on cultural competency to understand the population they are serving. Marks, Sims, and Osher (King, Sims, & Osher, n.d.) define cultural competency  as a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enables that system, agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross–cultural situations" ( as cited in Cross et al., 1989; Isaacs & Benjamin, 1991). Health providers and educators should investigate demographic patterns or trends in the place where they live and work. This brings awareness of the types of cultures that they might come across when they are working with people. Organizations should integrate and implement policies that promote the value of  diversity, self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge, and adapt to diversity and the cultural contexts of communities they serve (Georgetown  University, 2004). Georgetown University (2004) also stresses that culture competency grows gradually and is always open for improvement.

The Indigenous culture was viewed as inferior and unable to adequately provide for the needs of their children, which was fully fuelled by disproportionate poverty rates as well as the repercussion of residential schools (Russell, 2015). Due to not being able to maintain the standards of European child-rearing practices and common values, social services workers attempted to rescue these children from the conditions they were living in (O’Connor, 2010). These issues have detrimental effects on the families of survivors of the residential schools for generations, also known as multigenerational trauma. Instead of addressing this social policy concern the government was contributing and controlling it, where Indigenous people had little power to address

When given this assignment, I immediately knew that I wanted to write about a public figure that influenced change and respect within the Indigenous communities. I believe that Phillip Fontaine contributed greatly to the sociological, economical and rehabilitation of Aboriginal Nations throughout Canada. He had the ability to step forward to the general public regarding the traumatic events experienced during his childhood. Although, these events were tragic, it motivated Phillip to enter a world of fierce politics in a time

A huge part of the aboriginal culture and heritage was based on family relationships but many of the children grew up without knowing this. The loss of Aboriginality affected the children when they were grown up to be adults, if they tried to move back to their family’s community they were not welcome because they didn’t know how to settle back into an aboriginals life style.

The British invasion of Australia has unfortunately had multiple negative impacts on all Indigenous Australians, and additionally has created historic legacies that frequently effect the way in which people perceive, and work with Indigenous peoples. One of the historic legacies evident throughout Aileen’s case is the horrific occurrence of the stolen generation. One of the most profound consequences of colonisation, involving the removal of Aboriginal children from their families into missions, reserves or other institutions (Dudgeon, Wright, Paradies, Garvey & Walker, n.d.). This historic legacy can be identified in Aileen’s case, which has potential to impact on the processes taking place, and the decisions being made by the stakeholders.

Since 1961 indigenous people have faced many historic issues. Many of the historic problems was an effort to destroy their cultures and change the way of their life, for example the residential schools. Thankfully many indigenous people are still living after all the harm that has taken place and we are continuing to make an effort for

When children are taken from their homes and communities the culture starts to die. Children grow up without their culture or identity. The article argues that since Indigenous people did not

Although back in the early 1800s the government believed that they were actually helping the first nations children by making them go to residential schools, it is still not okay. The Europeans at the time believed that by teaching these children their ways and language it would make them more civil. They also believed that it was actually helping them gain religion and culture. Over the years of residential institutions, the survivors had kept to themselves and did not tell anyone about their experiences. This lead to many different mental illnesses, many survivors using self medication, and many of them living in poverty. The lesson learned from this event in history is that your actions and words can cause consequences for multiple different people. Not only did the First Nations community lose almost all of its culture, but they also lost their identities. Now gladly, many different first nations groups are regaining their culture, speaking their own languages, and celebrating holidays and events that mean significance to them. Next time that you judge a person by their background or culture, think about how harshly their culture was or could have been impacted from a historic event or even just an even that happened

Ultimately, the First Nation’s peoples treatment is perspicuously unjust, and they are left with no power. Accordingly, First Nation people are censored in voicing their struggles and mistreatment. On July 1st, 1967, Canada’s 100th birthday, famed First Nations author/poet/actor Chief Dan spoke to the crowd in Vancouver and discussed the neglect of his nation in Canada’s history.3 This speech was of great influence and shed light on an ongoing issue. This speech is one of many steps taken to improve the conditions of First Nations people today.

Indigenous children were taught in schools that everything about them was everything was wrong, their language and cultures, that their parents had abandoned them. Both side were affected, the parents suffered

Aboriginal children who were half white were more prone to being removed because it was believed that their background and whiter skin colour would be easier for them to assimilate to the new environment. They were moved to missions or adopted by non-Indigenous families where they were treated like slaves (Australians Together n.d.). The missions where the children were taken were operated by churches to care for the Aboriginal children and teach them the Christian religion as well as prepare them for the workforce (AIATSIS n.d.). The reason for the white Australians stealing Aboriginal and Torres

Understand cultural competence and why is it important especially for that have a diverse workforce.

Why would a government remove over 100,000 children just because of their race and heritage? During 1910 to 1971, the government of Australia did this now known as, The Stolen Generations of Australia which led to rough times for many families across the whole continent (McArthy 1). There was no certain right for them to make the entire country suffer in pain for many years. The government removed the kids from their homes, and they wouldn’t see their families for a long time. The Australian government wanted to abolish the Aborigine culture by lying to the children, separating families away from each other, however they are very apologetic for their actions.

Between 1910-1970, many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families because of many government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. These policies left a heritage of trauma and loss that continues to affect Indigenous communities, families, and individuals to this current day.