Aunty Matilda Williams-House Elder and Matriarch Ngunnawal Peoples, Canberra
Why is Cultural Safety Important?
Cultural Safety is extremely important in the professional roles of Nurses and Midwives. Cultural Safety is as critical as clinical safety. The term ‘Cultural’ is not about cultural identity, ethnicity or traditions. Rather, it’s about the ‘culture’ of power.
The concept of Cultural Safety:
arose from the colonial context of Aotearoa (New Zealand) by Māori nurses and nursing students in response to the manifestations of racism they and other Māori people were experiencing, evident in their experiences of poor health outcomes, and low participation in the nursing workforce.
was first coined by a first-year Māori nursing student who asserted to a room full of nursing educators and leaders, “you people talk about legal safety, ethical safety, safety in clinical practice and a safe knowledge base, but what about Cultural Safety” (Ramsden, 2002, p. 1).
was further theorised by Māori nursing educator, Dr Irihapeti Ramsden, who received permission from this Māori student to develop the concept of cultural safety into the theoretical and practical framework of kawa whakaruruhau meaning protection (pronounced: ‘ka-wa’ ‘faka-ru-ru-ho’).
through Ramsden’s theorising, adopted an intersectional perspective, specifically how society establishes social norms that enable racial discrimination, as well as gendered discrimination, homophobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination that disempowers a group of people based on their difference.
was the focus of Dr Ramsden’s 2001 CATSIN Conference presentation, where she shared her theorising and real practice implications.
has since been adopted in Australia and developed to recognise the historical, social, material, and political conditions of Australia’s colonial context, specifically from the social positions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
privileges a focus on the racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, because of the extent of racial discrimination, interpersonal and institutional, that is experienced compared to other forms of discrimination.
is pivotal to contemporary Australian nursing and midwifery theory and practice, particularly regarding its potential to improve nursing and midwifery care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ participation in and influence of Australia’s nursing and midwifery professions.
Watch Adjunct Professor Practice Alison McMillan talk about Cultural Safety
Adjunct Professor Practice Alison McMillan Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer – Australia
Aunty Dulcie Flower Erub Nation, Elder, CATSINaM Founding Member
Developed for Practicing Nurses and Midwives
The program is one aspect of your life-long learning towards achieving Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility in Nursing and Midwifery practice.
Watch Aunty Dulcie Flower talk about the Program
Professional Development for Nurses and Midwives
Nurses and midwives are highly respected professionals of our community providing health care. There is no safe healthcare without cultural safety hence ongoing professional learning is essential. The NMBA supports this program as it provides the opportunity towards continuous professional development.
The next offering of Murra Mullangari program will commence Monday 13th March 2023.
Early Bird Registration will commence here on Monday 16th January 2023. The Registration link for this offering will become available here on 16th January.
Institutions/Organisations can bulk purchase enrolment packs, using the relevant link below, to sponsor their employees to be able to enrol into this program. Once purchased they will get a special code to share with their employees to individually register and enrol into the program.
Testimonials from the Pilot
(February 2022)
Enrol in our program
We are excited to announce the second Murra Mullangari program for 2022 commences at 9am Monday 4th July. Pricing is $495 incl. GST payable via credit card
Should you have any questions or queries related to the program, please phone us on 1300 001 228 OR email catsinam@accessiq.com.au
Detailed instructions on how individuals can enroll is located here
Partners
This Murra Mullangari: Introduction of Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility program is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Indigenous Work Force program
Please note the CATSINaM website is currently undergoing general maintenance and review. Any enquiries should be directed to: enquire@catsinam.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images, videos, voices and names of people who have since passed away.