Appendix 3

Cultural Barriers

‘Non-Indigenous people must take the trouble to look at Indigenous cultures from Indigenous perspectives, not through their own cultural looking glass. To be blinkered in their approach to Indigenous peoples is to miss the many facets of cultural connection that are associated with diverse lifestyles’ (Yalmambira, 2005)

Aboriginal cultural awareness means having knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal people’s histories, values, belief systems, experience and lifestyles. As highlighted in (Working with Aboriginal people, 2001), it is not about becoming an expert on Aboriginal culture; however it is about being aware of the cultural differences that exist, appreciating and having an understanding of those differences, and accepting them.

Cultural barriers when employing Aboriginal people extend beyond a generally accepted view of differences in belief, and non-Aboriginal supervisors and work mates need to aware of some very real cultural and behavioural differences that they may face on a day to day basis when interacting with Aboriginal people (Are you Employing Aboriginal Staff, 1996).

Some common issues that present themselves in day to day situations, some simple examples of this can be noted with the use of eye contact. To some Aboriginal people, direct eye contact is culturally unacceptable, and it is therefore recommended not to force individuals to engage in eye to eye contact. Further to this, is the listening behaviour that can exist. In many cases Aboriginal people are unlikely to look at the person that is talking to them, and consider succinctness in their responses more than appropriate.

Barriers can present themselves as early as the initial interview, and the non-Aboriginal person undertaking the interview process needs to be aware of what some of these are, and to deal with them in a effective manner when they present themselves. (www1) outlines that in interview situations, Aboriginal people can at...