Does anyone here have expertise in working with remote indigenous Australian communities?

No I don't.

That's why I am asking.

Well, I do to some extent...but the other extent is what I am asking about!

How about contacting the Red Cross in Australia?

http://www.redcross.org.au/contactus_nationalandstateoffice_default.htm

Email: [email protected]

They will probably be able to advise you at least?
They are very sympathetic to these kinds of culture cross over problems
(At least as i've known them be on other continents)

They may even have someone out that way to advise you
Who knows
Worth a try

Good Luck
Endy

How exciting and challenging in equal measure; before I depart to the most untamed and godless parts of the nation, (how I hate Wall Street) may I pass onto you advice that has served me well over the years…

‘You only get one shot at making a good first impression.’

The more remote or the smaller the community the more likely it will be male dominated. Local customs and traditions will take precedent over national laws. There will most likely be suspicion, resentment and even anger that an outsider (read; ‘white man’ and its connotations) brings trouble.

To reduce the negative, use the first visit as a fact finding mission, on how their society works, family and communal contact, courtship and ritual. I would also go as far as asking what they consider the ‘age of consent’, but, I would suggest you do not mention sex until you have all the facts.

I seem to remember some remote British island; it may have been Tristan da Cunha where the authorities had to send out investigators because the locals believed it was ok to have sex with 12 or 14 year olds.

It is always a good idea to view matters from their point of view; after all how much; notice, advice, council would you have taken from the cops back in the hippy days. Not forgetting how much you would have taken them into your confidence?

Finally; would you like to tell me all about your first/last sexual encounter? Feel uncomfortable? So will they; it takes time to build up confidence and trust, but for every violation of the law there is a victim, usually too young, vulnerable or uneducated to resist. If you can inform, educate or influence behavior for the better, many will be able to look forward to a brighter future.

Good luck in your endeavors.

I missed this whole thing the first time 'round... while my power was out I think. I'm glad you found someone who could advise you. With the other limitations, having a sort of cultural interpreter seems like a good way to go.

Perhaps when you actually go you can try to find one person who will be particularly helpful -- though of course not if that would single her out in any damaging way. Someone who you can speak with freely and ask questions, and who can be trusted to provide good answers. Easier said than done I know, but when I've been in similar-ish circumstances I've found that the "cultural interpreter" appreciates being respected and needed. A young woman might be best. (All very subject to the specifics of the culture you will be dealing with.)

Yeah but...I don't really have one...and the damn thing is the wall between male stuff and female stuff....I may not be able to do anything with the boys, who are the main problem....and much of that is dependent upon male elders...some of whom may be...er....well....I can't say too much.

I'll be using local knowledge up there, and talking to people beforehand.


Anyway, I am going up for a few days in October, as far as I know so far.....for a look-see and meeting with some of the women, at least....mebbe followed up with regular visits for some time depending upon stuff.

Thing is my work thing is in a very fraught area just generally culturally, and circumstantially.

And you kind of get different answers from everyone!

I guerss that's kind of life and reality, though, innit?



And then there's the dumb stuff!!


I'll need to board the cat....and that's way expensive!

Yeah, I meant once you get there... cultivate contacts there, once you get there.

I understand what you mean re: the boys though.

Tough situation. Hope you can connect with someone useful (here, beforehand, or there).

Just some resources for me...I can access them easily from here, on any computer.


http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/enough_talking_flyer.pdf

http://www.nt.gov.au/dcm/inquirysaac/


http://www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/sagovt/files/mullighaninquiry/CISC_APY_Part_II.pdf

http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/staff/homepage.asp?Name=jennifer.baker

http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2007/100707.asp

http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/learn/unaipon-psyia/?PATH=/Resources/tcc/Integrating+Australian+Indigenous+content+and+pedagogies+into+psychology+education/&default=Welcome.htm

there might be someone to talk to here as well...the guy i was thinking about re aboriginal info for psychologists is Rob Ranzijn

http://www.carersvic.org.au/Assets/pdfs/Publications/CCCPIndigenousGuidelines.pdf


http://www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/sagovt/mullighaninquiry_apy.aspx

http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/cultures/


http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/aboriginal_ethical_guidelines.pdf

http://www.groups.psychology.org.au/atsipp/links/

http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/crich/indigenous_childrens_health_report.php






you may already have these folks as resources but just in case (and just in case anyone else has been following the recent release of this report)

Australian Chapter:

Jane Freemantle, PhD
Associate Professor
Principal Research Fellow
Centre for Health and Society
Melbourne School of Population Health
The University of Melbourne
[email protected]

Daniel McAullay, PhD (c)
Senior Research Officer
PhD Candidate
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research
[email protected]

Give Paul Hogan a jingle. He seemed to know about them in the movies I saw. Perhaps he can lend some insight. At the very least, you may get some free shrimp out of the deal.