Dear Chris
I have heard you say before about patronising indigenous people and
maybe somethings about middle class attitudes.
For me I find the middle class sometimes a strange place to exist, a
sort of an in-between world, neither a leader or a follower and often
criticised for being a 'do gooder' and not in touch with the daily
struggle for life.
However from this position and in an agency where I work run largely
by middle class people I have started a group with others for
indigenous men. These men are very traumatised by the history of
invasion and the abuse within their community, which I guess has links
between both issues.
I feel strongly that my work as a constellation facillitator has
helped get this group off the ground, because I have received feedback
about my respectful attitude, and I feel deeply that constellation
work has changed the way I connect with people.
The other comment that comes from the ingigenous community is that
they need the solidity of the less traumatied community, like
anglo-australians for example, to help them hear and share in their
pain. Moreover this coomunity have asked us to be part of the
reconciliation process, which can only happen through connection and
real partnership, which includes allot of listening, effort and self
explorartion about our past and how we contributed to the trauma.
I am not saying that sometimes I don't come over as patronising and I
am sure I will regularly be culturally insensitive but I wanted to
share with you the effect of this special, systemic work, on me.
All the best...David
Melbourne Australia
Posted by: "Chris Walsh" chrisjwalsh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:45 am (PST)
Hi all
We have just finished a wonderful training workshop with Peter van Zuilekom
and Otelline Lamet in Melbourne. A number of participants have contact with
indigenous people and expressed how they felt they needed to work hard
maintaining their own integrity in this field . I assume they were alluding
to being careful not to assume a patronising position. However I am sure
there is a lot more to it than that.
I was wondering if anyone would be prepared to share their ideas or
experiences in these matters.
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australia
