AHCILM305A
Work with an Aboriginal Community or organisation

This unit covers the process of operating in an Aboriginal Community or organisation while demonstrating an awareness of Aboriginal identity, history and spirituality.

Application

This unit is normally carried out within own area of responsibility. It requires some judgement and discretion, and would be carried out under minimal supervision within enterprise guidelines. The unit applies to participants working in and with Aboriginal communities and organisations and is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists.


Prerequisites

AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Define Australian history from an Aboriginal cultural and Community perspective

1.1 Major characteristics of the social structures of Aboriginal societies are determined

1.2 Impacts on Aboriginal social structures following European colonisation are identified

1.3 Examples of resistance to European colonisation are recorded

1.4 Positive and negative effects of European colonisation are documented

1.5 Various approaches and resources which can be employed in order to identify cultural authorities for specific Country and Community are determined

1.6 Contemporary Aboriginal social, economic and political trends are researched in the context of Community life

2. Summarise actions of governments to deal with the effects of European colonisation on Aboriginal people

2.1 Major legislation and/or policy directions of governments that affect Aboriginal people are identified

2.2 Legal parameters relating to Aboriginal land ownership, acquisition and management are defined

2.3 Impacts of laws and/or policies on social structures of Aboriginal peoples are documented

3. Outline strategies for working with Aboriginal organisations and people

3.1 Differences in relation to working as an Aboriginal person (or non-Aboriginal person) within Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and organisations are acknowledged and considered

3.2 Aboriginal ways of working are identified

3.3 Potential conflicts are recognised

3.4 Strategies for minimisation of conflicts are identified and implemented

4. Operate effectively in a job role working with an Aboriginal Community or organisation

4.1 Aboriginalcultural protocols are observed according to Community and/or organisational guidelines and procedures

4.2 Community traditions and customs are respected according to workplace policies and procedures

4.3 Productive relationships are built and maintained within the Aboriginal Community and organisation

4.4 Mutual respect is created and given as evidenced by effective engagement and shared outcomes with the Community and/or organisation over time

4.5 Feedback on personal work performance, interpersonal ways of relating and adherence to Aboriginal cultural protocols is valued and obtained

Required Skills

Required skills include:

Ability to:

gather information about Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal social structures

summarise actions of governments to deal with the effects of European colonisation

deal with personal negative responses/reactions in a positive way

implement strategies that support the concept/implementation of Aboriginal management (principles)

understand and engage effectively in mediation and conflict resolution

operate effectively within an Aboriginal Community or organisational job role

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

apply sustainable environmental practices

apply workplace health and safety requirements

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

Aboriginal history, cultural values and interpersonal and Community protocols

authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared

Aboriginal communities and social structures

Aboriginal cultural customs and heritage

history of British society and dispossession in Australia

Aboriginal history and impact of European colonisation

legislation and its impact on Aboriginal communities

Cultural and Heritage Legislation or relevant NPWS legislation

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The delivery and assessment of training of this unit must comply with Community protocols and be carried out in consultation with and in participation with Traditional Owners and/or Elders and Custodians of that specific Country.

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of the ability to:

work within and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal social structures

apply an understanding of the perceptions and impacts of government action to deal with the effects of European colonisation within Aboriginal communities

demonstrate empathy and respect in working with Aboriginal communities and organisations

build effective and productive working relationships with Aboriginal people and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment events must be contextualised to meet the needs of the particular group, including:

an Aboriginal Community, educational or workplace setting

involvement of people approved by cultural authorities and/or Traditional Owners of the relevant local Community

candidates who have gained relevant knowledge and skills through their life experience

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess competency in following Aboriginal cultural protocols. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of the candidate relating to and engaging Aboriginal persons and Aboriginal Community

direct questioning combined with third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

verbal or written questioning

observation of work conducted in Aboriginal Community and/or organisation

evaluation of the outcomes of work conducted in Aboriginal Community and/or organisation

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

AHCILM306A Follow Aboriginal cultural protocols

AHCILM404A Record and document Community history

Assessment for this unit should comprise a combination of theory and practical application. Both aspects of assessment are best conducted on Country for this unit.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Strategies may include:

ideas for ‘breaking the ice’ at first meetings

ways to demonstrate respect for cultural authority

ways of educating oneself about Aboriginal cultural protocols

discussing ideas with bi-culturally competent others

undertaking Aboriginal language courses

spending time in an Aboriginal Community

Aboriginalcultural protocols may include:

gender roles in relation to knowledge and cultural practices

information sensitivity and access

appropriate information transfer

negotiations with local Aboriginal Community about information transfer

cultural diversity

natural resources and their importance for economy, religion, spirituality, art, environment, values, beliefs and lore/law.

rights and responsibilities associated with cultural knowledge, story, song, Site, and ceremony

interpersonal ways of relating

the talking of Community politics

repatriation of artefacts

issues of ownership (clans/nations)

ownership of intellectual property

acknowledging participation and ownership

communicating about cultural material

displaying cultural material

handling cultural material

identifying appropriate people to be consulted

occasions when consultation is required

ways in which consultations should be conducted

Work may include:

a variety of forms of interaction with Aboriginal people and Community

presentations

consultations

research

mentoring

consulting

recording

sharing knowledge

writing reports


Sectors

Indigenous land management


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.