Indigenous People In Australia

According to United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Ninth Session, May 2010), more than 370 million indigenous people disperses across 70 countries in the world. The term “indigenous” has prevailed as a general term for many years. In many countries, it can be expressed in different ways that includes aboriginal, first peoples, tribes, adivasi, ethnic groups, janajati. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014, the term ‘indigenous’ has literally seen a gradual development over time. In Australia it refers to Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Another way, it can be defined as a person who is a member of the aboriginal race of Australia, identifies as an aboriginal and is accepted by the aboriginal community

Colonisation practice targeted the indigenous people in a manner which aimed to ‘displace and distance people from their land and resources’ (Sinclair, 2004, p. 50). To achieve this goal, aboriginal culture was destroyed through hostile and mainstream policies. Almost every health related issues and social pathology in indigenous communities is an effect of colonisation. Primary health care providers play significant role in the health of indigenous people. In Australia, first primary health care provider emerged in 1971 and now it has grown to approximately 150. 79 per cent of eligible communities, representing over one-half of the eligible First Nation population, are now involved in delivering primary health care services in Canada (Health Canada (FNIHB) 2007). In 1993, New Zealand initially started about 23 primary health care provider and it became 240 in 2007 (New Zealand Ministry of Health

This frame work and policy fails to consider the social, cultural and epidemiology of the indigenous population. Durey and Thompson (2012) identify this indifference where the indigenous people are unable to voice their rights to equity in treatment and right to information. The concept of ‘cultural safety’ arose from understanding of culturally believes and subsequent environment factors effect on treatment. The concept was developed in New Zealand with major contribution from Irihapeti Ramsden, who is considered the pioneer of “awa Whakaruruhau” or in other words, Cultural Safety (Meyst 2005). It was developed on the basis poor health status of Maori (the indigenous population of New Zealand) and to change the way how health service was delivered in New Zealand. The nurses are trained and taught to have a better insight into the cultural, social and religious beliefs of the Maori and this cultural safety is compulsory for nursing registration in New Zealand (Doutrich et al.