For example, a health professional who suggests to a diabetic client a strict diet, reinforcing this instruction with the possibility of diabetic complications should the diet not be followed, may be effective if the client is of western European descent, but viewed as disrespectful and interfering if the client is an Aboriginal person who adheres to the ethic of non interference. Understanding the contrast between these two philosophies, one can begin to understand how the instructions of the well meaning health professional may be interpreted differently by a person of Aboriginal descent than by the professional giving those instructions. If he remarks that he is shopping for a new car, someone will be happy to tell him exactly what kind of car he ought to buy.” 6 Defining the term as “a behavioural norm of North American Native tribes that promotes positive interpersonal relations by discouraging coercion of any kind, be it physical, verbal, or psychological,” 5 Brant contrasts non interference with western European society where “the (white) man who remarks that he plans to buy a pear tree may anticipate that someone will immediately suggest that he buy a peach tree instead. The Aboriginal psychiatrist Clare Brant sees “non interference” as one method by which an Aboriginal person may show respect for another’s independence. Given the importance of respect both to Aboriginal philosophies and the health care encounter, the health professional should consider this concept, and its appropriate expression in an Aboriginal context. In addition to challenging attitudinal and structural racism, however, it is important to recognize that although respect is a universal concept, some of the behaviours which generate or manifest respect are culturally specific. Many are working hard to challenge the stereotypical images of Aboriginal peoples which unfortunately still appear in movies, new age literature, sports team logos, and our children’s history texts.
Most health professionals would readily acknowledge that mutual respect is key to the clinical encounter. Clearly, racist and prejudiced attitudes are universally disrespectful. Indeed, respect is a universal principle, likely found in all human groups. 3 It can be defined as “to feel or show honour or esteem for someone or something to consider the well-being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy.” 4 Among the Inuit, the ethic of respect may include “respect for the land, for our elders, for each other.” 3
#Canadian aboriginal writing challenge code#
It is part of a code of ethics that some Aboriginal writers feel represents the “most important … teachings that are universal to all tribes.” It is one of the “Seven Grandfather Teachings” referred to by Algonquin peoples and is a “core value” of Inuit culture. Respect is the cornerstone of many Aboriginal philosophies. Relationships between Aboriginal peoples and their care providers should be based on a foundation of mutual respect
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