First Nations Peoples are not mice within a research environment

A news article published today July 13 2022 stated Enhancing Indigenous Health

Diet, nutrition, exercise advice and community programs are as important in rural and metropolitan settings as in regional and remote areas, and peer support for health professionals can help deliver better results.

A new study from Monash University and Flinders University academics has identified what Australian dietitians and nutritionists need to do to make a stronger impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in the communities they serve.

The study of Australian health workers, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, looks at how a peer mentoring process, or "community of practice," can support dietitians to work more effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This sounded great until you read the results were based on in-depth interviews with 29 Non-Indigenous nutritionists and dietitians working in diverse geographical locations over a six-year period.

This story is so familiar that this research and its findings will assist other health providers working within First Nations Peoples communities.

The question is, why did they not speak with First Nation People who are living in communities to ascertain their views. As any service provided to them will affect them in a positive or negative way. Why did they not speak with First Nation People's Allied Health professionals?

Where is the Cultural Responsiveness in this Research? Where was/is the Worldview of First Nation Peoples? Where were the Aboriginal Terms of Reference framework in this research?

Sadly, another research that boosts Academic professionals' status and prestige. When will professionals working in the First Nations Arena start accepting that they do not know how to engage, communicate and be effective?

First Nations Peoples are not mice within a research environment. Let First Nations Peoples have a voice.