In early 2024, former APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Officer Alyce Merritt identified that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee was receiving a number of commonly asked queries from staff and members. 

Quite a few of these questions were fairly basic or simple, so the committee saw a way to reduce the colonial load for both themselves and First Nations members in general: a guide that clearly laid out appropriate cultural protocols for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Cameron Edwards APAM, chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee, contributed to the guide. 

‘The APA has progressed over the past 10 to 15 years regarding its approach to First Nations people,’ he says. 

‘Through its Reconciliation Action Plan, it is starting to position itself so that the work of Reconciliation is becoming more organic 
and sustainable over time. 

'The guide helps to bolster the journey that the APA is on.’

APA Chief Executive Officer Rob LoPresti says, ‘This guide reflects our commitment to Reconciliation and cultural safety and builds on the APA’s vision for a future where all Australians value and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge, connections to land and sea and traditional ways of healing.’

Cameron points out that creating the guide is just another example of the benevolent mindset that First Nations people hold when it comes to finding ways for Reconciliation to occur. 

‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been so generous with our time and commitment to Reconciliation over the years. 

'We’re here to help and putting out a statement from us should enable staff and the general membership to understand why we do what we do.’

Approximately six months after Alyce raised the need for a document that staff and members could consult, the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols guide was on its way to being launched internally to APA staff.

Much of the time needed to create the guide came from striving for accuracy.

‘Putting the guide together was not necessarily difficult,’ Cameron says. 

‘It was about reaching a unanimous decision on what should be included, what terminologies and phraseologies were the most relevant. 

'How we should define and identify certain topics given that we are not some homogeneous group across Australia. There is a diversity of opinions.’

After months of careful deliberation and refinement, the guide was ready for rollout. 

The APA launched the guide to its staff in November 2024 and the document will be introduced to members at the APASC25 conference in October. 

Launching it internally first gave the authors a chance to gather feedback and make any necessary changes.

‘The content of the protocols guide includes common practices and observances and valuable knowledge on terminologies and phrases that are important for First Nations peoples,’ Cameron says.

The guide advocates for cultural bravery from its readers as part of being a good ally. 

‘For allies or people who don’t identify as First Nations, cultural bravery could be described as being anti-racist or brave enough to stand up to anyone who is racist, regardless of the power dynamic or cultural factors that may be at play,’ Cameron explains. 

The term includes having pride in and celebrating First Nations cultures— an approach, Rob says, that ‘the APA encourages and is committed to supporting members with on their Reconciliation journeys. 

'All of this information will help to build a culturally safe environment for First Nations peoples. 

'However, the guide should not be viewed as a substitute for cultural learning activities but as complementary to them.’ 

Cameron says, ‘Reading it doesn’t mean that you can tick a box and say, “I’m culturally competent now.” It’s just a launching pad.’

‘Cultural safety is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities,’ Rob adds.

‘It requires ongoing reflection on our knowledge and behaviours and the power dynamics that shape the delivery of healthcare and other services. 

'I encourage all members to engage with this guide thoughtfully and to continue their learning.’

The goal of the guide is to build stronger relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous Australians that are culturally safe and based on trust and respect. 

Cameron hopes that ‘people journey further down the spectrum of cultural awareness than they are currently. 

If this guide can be used to make people more culturally aware, then I believe it has achieved its goals both internally and in regards to the membership.’

To learn more about the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols guide visit here. 

COURSE OF INTEREST: Australian Physiotherapy Council’s cultural safety training for physiotherapists