Based on the textbook chapter on Indigenous Australians (Gilbert) and the prescribed reading for this topic (Blanchard 2011), how could you support Aboriginal self-determination in your practice?
As defined by United Nations (1976), Self-determination is the right of all people to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. In order to improve the poor health status and socio-economic condition of Aboriginal people we need to recognize and support the goals and aspirations of indigenous people towards self-management and self-determination. (Franks, Smith-Lloyd, Newell & Dietrich, 2001). I think acknowledging Self-determination is a highly important aspect of the type of practice anyone undertakes, especially social workers because recognising, valuing and respecting the diversity of the Indigenous in Australia is the first step in a more meaningful communication process. I think the first steps to supporting aboriginal Self determination is being culturally appropriate, culturally competent and promoting cultural safety for your clients within your practice (O'Hara & Pockett, 2012). Ways that I could support Aboriginal Self-determination in my practice could be by implementing Self-determination programs to enable opportunities for Aboriginal people to prioritize their own decisions in program development and ensure the ongoing services are relevant and appropriate (Franks, Smith-Lloyd, Newell & Dietrich, 2001). These programs when put in place can be highly successful due to making the indigenous people aware and giving them the ability to flexibly respond to health issues in their own communities resulting in community control. Results of this are shown through previous programs such as the Solid Kid Project, which focuses on indigenous communities and combines home visits to document