The Gudaga Research Program: A Case Study in Undertaking Research with an Urban Aboriginal Community |
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| Authors: | Elizabeth J. Comino Jennifer Knight Rebekah Grace Lynn Kemp Darryl C. Wright |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Health Equity, Training, Research, &2. Evaluation, A Member of the Ingham Institute, South Western Sydney Local Health District and Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of NSW, New South Wales, Australia;3. Children and Families Research Centre, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia;4. Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, New South Wales, Australia;5. Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Abstract: | This paper presents the Gudaga Research Program as a case study describing the practice principles used to implement a successful research partnership with an urban Aboriginal community in south-western Sydney. This is one of few papers that address research issues unique to working with urban Aboriginal communities, in which the Aboriginal culture of the community is not homogenous. The authors argue that the relationships between the researchers and key community members and research participants underpin the research success. Throughout, the authors show that ongoing processes to nurture and reaffirm these relationships are important and require ongoing investment. A proposed practice framework demonstrates the relationship between knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history and culture, the underpinning values including trust, respect, and reciprocity, and shared skills and communication. Examples of how these were built into the research are provided. These are important skills that have application beyond the research process. |
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| Keywords: | Indigenous Research Methods Urban Aboriginal Communities Children Community Work Longitudinal Studies |
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