Emma Garlett: Awareness isn’t enough. We need to improve cultural capability

With the amount of training employees and leaders are required to complete, another training or educational program which is not linked to a legal requirement may be at the bottom of your list. But it shouldn’t be.

Time after time we hear that a police officer, a public servant or a private employee could have done things differently — better —when working with First Nations people. This rhetoric is continual, and it is reactive to an issue which has occurred.

The only way forward as a nation is through understanding and education.

One of the ways you can do so for yourself, or others, is through cultural capability training.

This goes beyond just cultural awareness because being aware of a situation does not mean you are equipped with the tools to do anything.

Cultural capability ensures you have the skills to work effectively and meaningfully with First Nations people.

It is not just about diversity and inclusion, it is more than that, because if you work in Indigenous affairs having a comprehensive understanding of cultural norms, and ways of working and knowing the process by which decisions are made will have mutually beneficial outcomes.

Cultural capability training is a proactive measure to ensure education is provided to change the way you work, and how you engage and to deepen your understanding of Australia’s history,

It is obvious that cultural capability training will promote inclusivity, but it will also streamline business operations, and build trust and understanding between all partners with whom you work through effective communication, reducing conflict by ensuring any cultural considerations are understood reducing misunderstandings or biases.

It plays a role in your own personal growth and development through broadening your perspective, challenging stereotypes and fostering curiosity. It helps you to think differently than the way you have been conditioned to do so.

For doctors, nurses or social workers it could mean understanding the needs of their clients, such as cultural considerations when treating a patient — maybe a preference to be treated by someone of the same gender, or understanding familial relationships to accommodate for family to visit in a hospital, as First Nations familial systems are not the same as western family structures and dynamics.

It should also mean going beyond this to create the systems and policies within the organisation inclusive of First Nations perspectives, ensuring there are feedback loops and processes for First Nations people are accessible and training those who are triaging patients to understand any unconscious bias or providing language services for First Nations people where English is not the first language.

For police, it may mean going through role-play scenarios with First Nations people in their training, to be taught how to engage, build rapport and de-escalate situations.

Cultural capability training is not the law. It is not a compliance requirement that is measured and monitored by the government for private companies.

But many companies are making cultural awareness or capability training mandatory in their organisations or beginning the journey to explore the benefits of both in-person and online cultural training sessions.

Many organisations have outlined this requirement in their reconciliation action plans because they see the benefits of it for their business, society and community.

You don’t have to think too hard to see the benefits.

It could be for new journalists working in remote regions with a high percentage of First Nations people, those working with traditional owners in mining or renewable energy, for health care providers who work in hospitals, and clinics or are locum travelling to the regions, or for police officers or prison officers who regularly interact with First Nations people.

Cultural capability training should be mandatory for those who work with First Nations people regularly.

It is a necessary skill and should be built upon year after year.

Without employees or teams receiving training to work effectively with First Nations people, how can there be outcomes, trust and understanding?

Those areas are the foundation of an effective relationship and achieving outcomes.

Cultural capability training should be mandatory, maybe then we will ensure outcomes for closing the gap achieved if all service providers are equipped with the right skills to do their job effectively.