Nursing Reflection on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture

This reflective journal entry from a nursing student explores their evolving understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The author, initially influenced by media portrayals, reflects on how their personal biases and limited exposure shaped their initial perceptions. Through engagement with literature and increased knowledge, the student recounts a shift in perspective, acknowledging the media's potential for misrepresentation and the importance of seeking authentic information. The reflection details the role of family upbringing and values in shaping their predisposition to understanding the indigenous population, as well as the importance of critical thinking about information sources. The author highlights the need for cultural awareness, challenging stereotypes, and developing a more informed and empathetic approach to nursing practice and patient care. References to relevant literature support the student's journey of learning and self-reflection.

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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Born and brought up in a major city of Australia, I had limited knowledge and contact
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander heritage and culture. My knowledge and viewpoints
about this section of the Australian population developed in the recent past when I was exposed to
their culture and lifestyle during my higher studies. As a child, I had never taken much interest to
learn more about the cultures and traditions of diverse ethnic groups. However, I took the
opportunity to engage myself in learning more about indigenous populations when I enrolled in
the nursing course. I believe that this section of the population has always been looked down to as
the downtrodden and underprivileged. I also strongly opine that the culture and traditions of the
individuals belonging to this section of the population have been long neglected, and still are not
receiving their deserving values. At this moment, I would like to mention that while my personal
views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been shaped by literature and the mass
media, the role of my personal history in this regard is also to be mentioned.
My personal views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been chiefly
guided by my knowledge acquired from vast literature as well as the media. The Australian
media, especially the mainstream media had frequently been distorting their reporting of the
culture and customs of aboriginal people in the recent years. I have noticed that most media have
painted a picture in the eyes of the public that shows aboriginal people to be the subjugated and
oppressed lot. Most media in Australia highlight aboriginal people to be candidates for ignorant
treatment and down putting. The mass media has gone to the considerable extent to include
stereotypes in the journalism they put forward (Dreher et al., 2016). Coming across the
informative pieces spread through such media, I had developed the notion that aboriginals justify
stereotyping and discrimination based on their social and economic status. At this point in time, I
need to admit that I had been unintentionally judging indigenous people. Stoneham et al., (2014)

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admitted that prejudices and stigmas showcased by individuals in Australia are due to what
people see in the news and what they read through in the newspapers. Hearing stories on the radio
also influences the way in which one thinks of interacting with the aboriginals.
While writing this reflection, I must admit that the media had negatively influenced
in a subconscious manner my perception of the aboriginals, and the leanings from literature shook
my realization. I realize that without speaking, my views on the aboriginal people at the initial
stage had been highly judgmental. I was making judgments even without raising questions about
the source of information and their credibility. After carrying out extensive research through
literature, my viewpoints changed, and I became aware of the manipulation the media had done
regarding my personal views. Information covered in the media is often unauthentic and unreal,
and misuse of any valid information leads to changes in perceptions of the public about a certain
group of the communities (Fuller, 2016). Individuals need to look further away from the media if
the true story about the aboriginals is to be understood. I understand that a need in a shift of my
stereotypical views was needed as the media was falsely portraying the community. The lives of
indigenous population have been well documented across the works of many scholars who have
attempted to bring into limelight the true plight and life story of aboriginals (Waller & McCallum,
2018).
Coming from a non-indigenous family, I have always witnessed my family members
having a neutral approach towards the aboriginal population. While they did not have any specific
preferences for communicating with this section of the population, they did not engage in any
racism and stereotyping against the population. Throughout my childhood, I have been taught to
respect and maintain the dignity of all individuals irrespective of their ethnic background. I
believe this quality, instilled in me by my parents, have made a significant contribution in my

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predisposition to understand the population more. Through the lens of my family culture, I could
see aboriginal population as being secluded from the mainstream population. The discussions
seldom occurring in my family regarding the inequality and injustice faced by the aboriginals had
lead to my ambivalent feelings about the population. However, interestingly, as I have gathered
increased knowledge from literature, my view and perceptions have changed significantly and are
at present directed towards the welfare of the same.

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References
Dreher, T., McCallum, K., & Waller, L. (2016). Indigenous voices and mediatized policy-making
in the digital age. Information, Communication & Society, 19(1), 23-39.
Fuller, L. K. (Ed.). (2016). The power of global community media. Springer.
Stoneham, M., Goodman, J. & Daube, M., (2014). The portrayal of Indigenous health in selected
Australian media. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 5(1), pp.1-13.
Waller, L., & McCallum, K. (2018). How television moved a nation: media, change and
Indigenous rights. Media, Culture & Society, 0163443718754650.