Editorial

Abstract

ROIANNEAs editors of this special edition we three have the opportunity to reflect back on and tell a part of our life story that has contributed to our status in the very privileged positions we now hold as Indigenous Nursing and Midwifery leaders. In light of the cur- rent challenges that exist for the nursing and mid- wifery in leading improvements in Indigenous health; Indigenous nursing and midwifery leadership has a critical role to play. New insights gained from these extended reflections focuses on the strength of our relationship to culture especially my connection to my people the Kalkadoon people also known as the 'fierce warrior'. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised Kalkadoon on my Grandmother's country. By having to go away from home for work I appreciated and understood my relationship more to my country, and the significance of my country to me. Each time I returned from being away my connection to country grew stronger and each time I would grow stronger.There is a place called 'Battle Mountain' which is where my ancestors fought the greatest resistance to colonisation in this country. I draw strength from this historical event, no matter what challenges are in front or lie ahead for me; it is nothing in compar- ison to my ancestors' battle for our country, for our people. This is my country, my belonging and no- one and no experience no matter how challenging can ever take that away. This experience and knowl- edge has enabled me to understand and to put into a larger context my experiences as an Indigenous nurse leader. Re-connection to my country and my people was the answer and is still a strategy I use to this very day, and will continue to use until the end. I call on my ancestors' spirits to guide or give me a sign in the direction of where I am meant to be going; and more importantly the reason for my current situation. By using these techniques I slowly began to re-strengthen my identity as an Aboriginal woman and a Registered nurse and also my purpose in my life journey. Without these times of reflections, I would not have had the opportunity to critically evaluate, hence, recognise the resilience and coping mechanisms that I have developed through many experiences and lessons learnt specifically, my transition from an uncon- scious awareness to a conscious awareness of my journey as a nursing leader.As a third year nursing student in 2000 I was fortunate enough to have attended the 26th Annual Transcultural Research Conference on the Gold Coast. At this conference I was even more fortunate to have met Irahapti Ramsden in per- son who was more than eager to meet Aboriginal Australian nurses. She was very forthcoming with some advice for us Aboriginal Australians entering the world of nursing. I recall with clarity her advice, and now know more than ever what her words meant. She said, 'Always protect yourself first and leave a paper trail or no-one hears'. I believe reflec- tive practice in nursing is a strategy to protecting the self and special editions like this is the paper trail Irahapti spoke about. By changing the way I thought, this in turn changed the way I felt, ulti- mately changing the way in which I behaved and enabled me to recognise the interrelatedness of my thoughts, emotions and behaviours and the abso- lute power of the three intertwined.In summary, as the adage goes 'what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger', is now more pertinent in my nursing leadership exerting its influence on both my professional and personal life journey. Without these unique experiences I would not be in the strategic position that I am now to make a significant difference to the profes- sion of nursing. Specifically, how nursing has and can contribute to the betterment of the health of Australia's Aboriginal people. As I reflect, I have come to the conclusion that I needed to go through what I did in order to get to where I am today, and I wouldn't change a single thing irrespective of how challenging it was. …