Implementing Indigenous cultures and Indigenous knowledges: A public policy dilemma

Abstract

Abstract In Australia, governments are committed to integrating the cultures of Indigenous peoples into the decisions and actions of governments - known as public policies. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023 has culture central to its policy framework making it permissible for Indigenous peoples to practice their cultures and knowledges. While there is a readiness to implement Indigenous cultures, regrettably there still remains deep-seated resistance due to institutional and systemic racism, and racist attitudes. These factors along with unconscious biases prevent the realisation of Indigenous people's cultures and their knowledges. A system-wide translational model of practice (the model) has been developed that aims to support the implementation of Indigenous cultures and knowledges. The model adopts a system thinking approach that considers complex social phenomenon's involving paradigms, structures and actors within and across systems and sub-systems. Similarly, the model targets system leverage points aimed to embed Indigenous cultures and knowledges into policy practice. Indigenous people's cultures and knowledges could be the answer to the global challenges facing the public health community. However, as is the case in Australia, Indigenous people's cultures and knowledges are devalued and often dismissed as irrelevant. The model of practice offers a framework to enable, embed and enact the cultures and, in deed the knowledges held by Indigenous peoples. The model could be beneficial for other countries who are searching for solutions to address complex problems like global warming. Critically, a key requirement of the model is to listen and learn from Indigenous peoples along with acknowledgement that Indigenous cultures is innately related to the knowledges held by Indigenous people. Finally, using leverage points in systems to embed Indigenous people's cultures and knowledges into global solutions is a necessity. Key messages Indigenous cultures is their knowledges and their knowledges count. Have an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn.