Speak Out Feb 2020 DIGITAL EDITION. pdf

"This research has been a valuable reflective practice and intercultural learning opportunity for participants."

Northern Territory

NT 70 members as at January 2020

Researchers working together.

together on culturally-responsive research using in-depth case studies in participants’ own languages (Djambarrpuy ŋ u, other Yol ŋ u dialects and English). Assessment interactions have been video/audio recorded for reflection and analysis by Yol ŋ u family members and service providers (both Yol ŋ u and non-indigenous). Participants have shared their perspectives on communication in the interactions in which they participated. This research has been a valuable reflective practice and intercultural learning opportunity for participants. We are now working with participants and researchers to co-create accessible multi-media resources, in both Djambarrpuy ŋ u and English, so that the findings can be put into practice to strengthen understanding between Yol ŋ u and non-Indigenous people working together. We are using intercultural communication to learn about intercultural communication – something which speech pathologists also need to do as part of their assessment processes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The research findings focus on process so may also have relevance for speech pathologists working in other intercultural contexts. Strong intercultural communication in this context has the potential to increase recognition of Aboriginal families’ strengths, increase service engagement with local communities and decrease long-term risks to Indigenous children’s wellbeing. A first step in strengthening intercultural communication is recognising our own assumptions and learning about the rich cultural heterogeneity in child development and child raring practices. A website resource www.growingupyolngu.com.au, is now available based on the findings of a connected study through which Yol ŋ u families and community members have shared their priorities and knowledge about raising Yol ŋ u children: Ŋ uthanmaram djamarrku l iny’ märrma’kurr romgurr - Growing up children in two worlds (Lowell, Maypilama et al, 2018). Please contact the research team if you would like to participate in this research or to stay connected as findings are shared, emily.armstrong@cdu.edu.au

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February 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out