It hasn’t worked so we have to change what we are doing’: First Nations Worldview in Human Service Practice.

Abstract

This research study explored how a group of 12 First Nations Research Participants, women and men working within NSW Government and Non-Government Human Services, worked with First Nations clients who experienced institutional and interpersonal trauma. The purpose of the qualitative study is to examine how workers developed and utilised their epistemology, axiology and ontological within their practice skills to support clients. The thesis is informed by Indigenous methodologies, with yarning enabling new understandings to be developed. The study involved three yarning circles and face to face and phone interviews yarn ups. The significance of this research is that Research Participants maintained their rights by reclaiming their worldview through undertaking process of decolonising the mind. They provided voice to how they maintain their worldview within their workplace. The study explored underpinning knowledge and unique skills of those First Nations workers and how they applied their epistemology – their ways of knowing, their axiology – their ways of doing and their ontology – their ways of being. Research Participants cited on a number of occasions the importance of maintaining tribal worldviews within the scope of supporting others. This gave voice to support and empower clients to reclaim their tribal belonging and identify. They demonstrated capacity to ongoingly critique western worldview; ways of knowing, ways of doing and ways of being, which is often unseen and invisible.