Indigenous involvement in conferences

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Indigenous topics and involvement in mainstream conferences

DRAFT

In mental health and health, Indigenous populations continue to endure higher rates of illness and mental health challenges.  This is not an Indigenous issue, this is a world-wide issue.  Therefore, we thank mainstream organizations and conferences which decide to prioritize Indigenous populations and topics in their events.

There are wise practices in planning, implementing and evaluating an Indigenous priority in a mainstream event. There are also expected protocols to follow when a commitment is made to be inclusive of Indigenous participants, voices and contributions. Protocols ensure good relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and protocols are the action that follows commitment to work with Indigenous populations.·

Principle of Partnership

"Nothing for us, without us."

One of the key points of the·Wharerātā Declaration is the principle of partnership.  The challenges facing Indigenous peoples in mental health and health do call for action from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous providers, funders and policy makers.  The·Wharerātā Group intentionally builds partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous in order to bring more resources to the the issue, to achieve well-being for Indigenous peoples.

Partnership is more than commitment, it is action.  The action, and related protocol, is about how non-Indigenous organizations and events to make intentional space for Indigenous to speak for Indigenous.  This is to avoid the perception of non-Indigenous attempting to "do something to", "do something for", or to take control of the issue for Indigenous.  At the extreme and negative end of the scale of partnership versus control, colonization was an attempt of non-Indigenous to reduce Indigenous community decision-making, and reduce the influence of Indigenous culture.  Indigenous peoples do not want to be the recipients of action, we want to lead our own action.  We also want you to support us in doing so. 

Principle of Cultural Competence

In the field of mental health, the principle of cultural competence is essential.  This is not a comprehensive text on cultural competence, but the key points:

• Cultural competence is both process and product, and Indigenous partners are the evaluators of success.·
• Cultural competence is about giving equal privilege to·Indigenous healing approaches, knowledges and practices - equal to mainstream approaches in psychiatry and psychology.·

An example of cultural competence in process is how a conference structure can facilitate discussion and sharing of successful practices, which takes time.  Longer workhops allow for the discussion on shared values and Indigenous knowledges.  Shorter panel-type workshops reduce the opportunity for in-depth learning.  Indigenous conference participants generally prefer opportunity for discussion, and avoid a panel-type short diadactic models of workshops. 

An example of cultural competence in product is in the effective inclusion of Indigenous knowledges in the event.

Additional wise practices:

• Be ready to learn about Indigenous cultures, especially the local culture in which the event will be held. An ideal practice is to hold a training opportunity by Indigenous teachers for the full planning group on cultural competence within the first few planning meetings.  This will ensure local cultural protocols are known and not breached.
• There may be multiple Indigenous cultures participating, and this requires an advanced knowledge and negotiation. An ideal practice in this situation is to contract the advice of an expert in this topic, an Indigenous leader with strong credibility from many Indigenous groups and fields.
• The unique history and colonization experiences faced by Indigenous contribute to unique challenges and relationships with governments and mainstream neighbors.  Mental health challenges and healing approaches are quite different from minority populations, and should not be combined. 

Effective Inclusion of Indigenous Voice in the Planning Stage

A wise practice is to involve Indigenous leaders in the field on the event planning group as early as possible. Indigenous leaders are those who have credibility with Indigenous communities, and with mainstream peers. Indigenous involvement in the planning will ensure local Indigenous protocols are followed (i.e. support from Indigenous political leaders and cultural leaders), bring forward Indigenous priorities in keynotes and workshops, and bring forward options for Indigenous speakers who have credibility.

Additional wise practices:

• Provide funding for travel for Indigenous members of the planning group to attend meetings in person. Indigenous leaders have relatively less resources than mainstream organizations to participate in activities that are not core to their mandate, so this is an action to show appreciation for their time.
• Involve more than one Indigenous member, to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are heard and not ignored.
• Indigenous leaders should be involved right from the initial agenda-setting stage for the event.

Effective Inclusion of Indigenous Perspectives in the Event

In the fields of health and mental health, science proven through journals or randomized testing tends to drive what is acceptable as knowledge.  There is an assumption that "science" is validated through publication, but this is not an inclusive approach to holistic knowledge.  The unintended effect is that very little Indigenous knowledge and wise practice is accepted into journals, therefore tends to be excluded from "science".  Active efforts need to be made to privilege Indigenous knowledges and perspectives equal to science.  The actions of privileging Indigenous knowledges are by including multiple Indigenous speakers as plenary speakers and in workshops, across all themes or priorities of the event.

Through the agenda and introduction of Indigenous speakers, the planning group can reinforce the message that Indigenous knowledges have something to offer to all participants, as well as the message that non-Indigenous participants likely have a role to support Indigenous well-being.

A key action to implement effective inclusion is to ensure a reasonable number of Indigenous participants.  An inclusive event is more likely to bring in Indigenous participants, so this is a good indicator of cultural competence in process and product.

Additional wise practices:

• Start the conference with an Indigenous ceremony led by local Indigenous groups, and ensure this piece is messaged as an essential part of the plenary.  Bringing in Indigenous dancers, singers and/or drummers is a powerful experience for all participants, but does demand that protocols are followed, which are quite strict in some parts of the world.  Dancers, drummers and singers are compensated equivalent as other experts for their contribution.
• If the ceremony involves ceremonial smudging, advance notification and negotiation with the event facility will need to be done to see if Indigenous ceremonial smudging can be accomodated.  Most event facilities are now able to turn off the smoke alarm in the specific room.  It is the role of the event planning group and event organizer to work out these details in advance.
• Articulate the message that Indigenous keynotes and workshops are not solely for Indigenous participants, but all participants will learn from Indigenous knowledges.
• Avoid token approach of one Indigenous keynote or one Indigenous workshop. If Indigenous knowledges and issues are a priority, then Indigenous perspectives should infuse the whole event.  A wise practice is to avoid tokenising a theme of "Indigenous topic", but instead make intentional space for Indigenous healing and knowledge within every event theme.
• A wise practice is to include panel-type workshops that highlight mainstream speakers alongside Indigenous speakers. We can learn from each other.
• Market the event to Indigenous websites, newspapers and networks to increase Indigenous participants. Consider if additional funding can support travel costs for Indigenous participants, especially from remote communities with much higher travel costs.

Protocols Regarding the Involvement of Indigenous Elders

Protocols involving Elders is local, and requires the advice of local Indigenous leaders.  Indigenous Elders deserve the highest honour, similar to a Deputy Minister or similar to the event key plenary speaker. In many parts of the world, tokenistic approaches to involving an Elder will have serious consequences for relationships with Indigenous peoples.  An Elder may choose to provide opening and closing remarks and prayer, or may choose to interact during the event.  Please interpret interaction throughout the event as a special gift and opportunity for learning. 

• Elders are normally provided with compensation for sharing of their knowledge, similar to keynote speakers. There are additional protocols that should be followed, and the advice of local Indigenous leaders is required.
• Depending on local Indigenous protocols, some or all may be expected: compensation, hotel and travel covered, meals and snacks provided, private retreat room for Elders near the action of the event, covering expenses of an Elder's helper to travel with the Elder, and providing an Elder's helper throughout the event. 
• A wise practice is to offer an Elders room in which private interaction with event participants can be undertaken. ·Advance notification and negotiation with the event facility will need to be done to see if Indigenous ceremonial smudging can be done. ·Most event facilities are now able to turn off the smoke alarm in the specific room. ·It is the role of the event planning group and event organizer to work out these details on behalf of the Elder.

Longlasting postiive outcomes of successful inclusion of Indigenous issues and topics in a mainstream event could be:

• Building participants' knowledge of Indigenous cultures
• Building participants' knowledge and understanding of issues and challenges facing Indigenous peoples --- AND about their resilience, strengths and contributions. 
• Building all participants' awarness of opportunities to partner and build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and organizations.
• Contribute to the domestic and international ongoing discussion about reconciliation and potential roles to heal from colonization.  Healing and reconciliation are not only within the Indigenous realm, but we all can play a part.