Drying off in the wind

Second day of the conference. Some excellent papers again. My favourite was a presentation by a Maori psychiatrist talking of a new initiative being developed in Gisborne. In doing so she issued a challenge by identifying three factors which support institutionalised racism. Individuality. Meritocracy. Secret history. The importance of the individual, and self-determination, goes against the collectivist view of Maori and other indigenous persons. We need to invite the whanau and work with them for the benefit of the whanau and the whai ora (patient). By meritocracy she was referring to the "importance" placed by modern societies on the views of the experts. Whanau, and iwi (tribe) are more knowledgeable about this particular whai ora. The stories of this land as told by Maori are unknown to most, and therefore become secret and their value in understanding is lost.
She made three recommendations. The first was to indigenise our space.  That is more than having a special room for the Kai atawhai ora workers; Maori (and other art) should be everywhere in our units. Secondly, she encouraged us all to remain active learners, and learners of Maori culture if we want to know how to help them best. The third was to embrace negative feedback. The All Blacks always say they learn more from a loss, or bad performance. The current trend to couching all feedback in a positive light blocks real change.
After that, I went out for a walk with the little camera, to reflect and get some fresh air and sunlight. A Karuhiruhi (pied shag ) was drying its wings on the edge of the harbour, and posed beautifully for me. Before I got there, I passed a blue shed, a white faced heron, and a wall painting of an owl. They can be seen as today's extras.
Conference dinner tonight.