Nyoogawah

Cultural Safety and Self-Determination

Nyoogawah means water in Waanyi language.
Course Description

Our Nyoogawah Cultural Safety & Self-Determination (CS&SD) course was developed by Professor Gregory Phillips out of a lifetime of professional, community experience and his PhD. This course brings our evidence-based pedagogy into engaging and accessible learning environments. Grounded in decolonisation, it supports teams and individuals to explore racism, whiteness, and institutional power through an Aboriginal sovereignty lens.

Learner Outcomes
  • Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and explain their importance in building culturally safe workforces and workplaces
  • Describe the definition of, and evidence for, cultural safety
  • Analyse Phillips’ (2015) model of applied cultural safety in Australia
  • Identify and unlearn how racism and whiteness in workforces and workplaces impact outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
  • Identify and describe self-determination and decolonisation as critical frameworks for change
  • Describe and evaluate how ABSTARR’s Strategic Change Framework applies to one’s own workplace or community
Learning Format Options

The Nyoogawah Cultural Safety & Self-Determination course has ten core modules and is available in person or online.

Option 1: Facilitated

We can facilitate the ten training modules in-person or online via Teams or Zoom, in two × four-hour sessions (usually one or two weeks apart).

Part A – The Problem – 6 Modules – 4 hours
  1. Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges
  2. Cultural Safety – Definition
  3. Cultural Safety – Application
  4. The Learner Journey
  5. Racism and Its Impacts
  6. Whiteness
Part B – The Solution – 4 Modules – 4 hours
  1. On Whose Terms?
  2. Self-Determination
  3. Decolonisation
  4. Strategic Workplace Solutions

We can also deliver the facilitated course in hybrid mode, with Part A facilitated online and Part B facilitated in person.

Note:
Learners must complete Part A before they can attend Part B.

Learner Feedback

We have trained approximately 8,000 learners over an eight year period, all reporting a significant shift in their self-perceived ratings of their knowledge and skills about cultural safety and self-determination.

PT

Pat Turner

CEO

NACCHO and Coalition of Aboriginal Peaks

“I am pleased to provide this reference in support of ABSTARR Consulting Pty Ltd. ABSTARR Consulting is very extremely well acquainted with cultural knowledge and understanding. I have no hesitation in recommending ABSTARR Consulting to undertake this work for your organisation.”

PT

Annette Vickery

CEO (previous)

Thirrili

“ABSTARR is a stand out for demonstrating ethical cultural behaviour and I commend you on the organisation’s reputation for integrity.”

PT

Telstra Employee

Telstra

“WOW WOW WOW!! Thank you ABSTARR for consistently delivering outstanding work throughout our project. Your team’s expertise, ability to truly listen to staff, collaborate and communicate was impressive.”