Enhancing intercultural communication in allied health: Lessons from a Yolŋu-Balanda collaboration in the Northern Territory
Tracks
5
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Continuous quality improvement
Cultural responsiveness
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)
Evidence based practice
Interprofessional collaborative practice
Professional support
| Saturday, June 14, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:40 PM |
Overview
Anna Pritchard, Rebecca Boyall and Kyla Logan Whittard
Details
⏫ In-practice
⏲️ 1.30pm - 1.50pm
⌛20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
⏲️ 1.30pm - 1.50pm
⌛20-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
Presenter
Anna Pritchard
NT Health
Enhancing intercultural communication in allied health: Lessons from a Yolŋu-Balanda collaboration in the Northern Territory
1:30 PM - 1:50 PMPresentation summary
In the Northern Territory (NT), with its rich tapestry of languages and cultures, intercultural communication skills are essential for effective partnerships with culturally connected experts. Two community-based NT allied health teams partnered with a local research team to co-create an intercultural communication community of practice (CoP).
The CoP supported application of intercultural communication theory developed through collaborative research which centres Yolŋu understandings of connection, communication and collaboration (Armstrong et al., 2022, 2023). Yolŋu are First Nations Australian peoples from North-East Arnhem Land. Balanda is a word used by Yolŋu to refer to non-Indigenous people.
This continuous quality improvement project aimed to: translate research findings into practical skills for health professionals working in diverse communities in the Top End; facilitate deeper intercultural connections between allied health practitioners and families with whom they work; and enhance communication and collaboration across all stages of service delivery.
Pre-session surveys and reflective discussions identified collective learning goals to inform project planning. Six 2-hour workshops were facilitated by Yolŋu and Balanda researchers from February to July 2024. Workshops involved whole-group learning, multimedia resource sharing, small breakout groups, and self-reflection activities. Participants also engaged in reflective journalling and discussions for continued personal and professional growth. The impacts of the project were evaluated using audio-recorded allied health practitioner reflections and surveys, analysed by members of the allied health teams.
This presentation will showcase an effective approach to co-creating a CoP through researcher-clinician partnerships which respect the authority of First Nations experts and the diversity within and between communities.
Case studies about application of intercultural communication research in speech pathology practice in culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be shared. Reflections demonstrate how the CoP supported deep reflection, provided useful strategies for daily use, prompted collaboration, and facilitated evidence-based change to how practitioners work with intercultural partners
The CoP supported application of intercultural communication theory developed through collaborative research which centres Yolŋu understandings of connection, communication and collaboration (Armstrong et al., 2022, 2023). Yolŋu are First Nations Australian peoples from North-East Arnhem Land. Balanda is a word used by Yolŋu to refer to non-Indigenous people.
This continuous quality improvement project aimed to: translate research findings into practical skills for health professionals working in diverse communities in the Top End; facilitate deeper intercultural connections between allied health practitioners and families with whom they work; and enhance communication and collaboration across all stages of service delivery.
Pre-session surveys and reflective discussions identified collective learning goals to inform project planning. Six 2-hour workshops were facilitated by Yolŋu and Balanda researchers from February to July 2024. Workshops involved whole-group learning, multimedia resource sharing, small breakout groups, and self-reflection activities. Participants also engaged in reflective journalling and discussions for continued personal and professional growth. The impacts of the project were evaluated using audio-recorded allied health practitioner reflections and surveys, analysed by members of the allied health teams.
This presentation will showcase an effective approach to co-creating a CoP through researcher-clinician partnerships which respect the authority of First Nations experts and the diversity within and between communities.
Case studies about application of intercultural communication research in speech pathology practice in culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be shared. Reflections demonstrate how the CoP supported deep reflection, provided useful strategies for daily use, prompted collaboration, and facilitated evidence-based change to how practitioners work with intercultural partners
Refrences
Armstrong, E. (2023). Facilitating intercultural communication between Yolŋu (First Nations people from North-East Arnhem Land) and non-Indigenous Australians: Exploring and understanding a deeper story together. Nhaltjan dhu ḻarrum ga dharaŋan dhuḏi-dhäwu ŋunhi limurr dhu gumurr-bunanhamirr ga waŋanhamirr, guŋga’yunmirr Yolŋu ga Balanda. [Doctoral thesis, Charles Darwin University]. https://ris.cdu.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/90789580/312975_Emily_Armstrong.pdf
Armstrong, E., Gapany, D., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., & Lowell, A. (2022). Räl-manapanmirr ga dhä-manapanmirr - Collaborating and connecting: Creating an educational process and multimedia resources to facilitate intercultural communication. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 24(5), 533–546. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2022.2070670
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Baker, R. D., Ireland, S., & Lowell, A. (2023). Räl-manapanmirr djämaw - Collaboration in action. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts, 28, 4–7. https://doi.org/10.18793/lcj2023.28.02
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., Baker, R. D., Hewat, S., & Lowell, A. (2023a). Nhaltjan dhu ḻarrum ga dharaŋan dhuḏi-dhäwuw ŋunhi limurr dhu gumurrbunanhamirr ga waŋanhamirr, Yolŋu ga Balanda: How we come together to explore and understand intercultural communication through a Yolŋu (First Nations Australian) metaphor. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 19(2), 334–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801231169337
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., Baker, R. D., Hewat, S., & Lowell, A. (2023b). A flow that comes when we’re talking: Water metaphors for exploring intercultural communication during early childhood assessment interactions in a Yolŋu community. Journal of Applied Communication Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2023.2222163
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Fasoli, L., Guyula, A., Yunupiŋu, M., Garrutju, J., Gundjarranbuy, R., Gapany, D., Godwin-Thompson, J., & Lowell, A. (2022). How do Yolŋu recognise and understand their children’s learning? Nhaltjan ŋuli ga Yolŋuy nhäma ga märr-dharaŋan djamarrkuḻiw marŋgithinyawuy? PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272455
Buthimaŋ, T., Garŋgulkpuy, J., Walpulay, L., & Christie, M. (2008). Garmak Gularriwuy: Gularri water. https://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/yaci/pdf/Buthimang_Gularri.pdf
Lowell, A., Brown, I., Marrŋanyin, B., Flack, M., Christie, M., Snelling, P., & Cass, A. (2005). Sharing the true stories: Improving communication between health staff and Aboriginal patients, Stage 1, Interim project report. Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health. https://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/stts/home.html
Lowell, A., Maypilama, Ḻ., Guyula, Y., Guyula, A., Fasoli, L., Armstrong, E., Gundjarranbuy, R., Yunupiŋu, M., Garrutju, J., Burrkili, D., & Godwin-Thompson, J. (2019). Ŋuthanmaram djamarrkuḻiny’ märrma’kurr romgurr: Growing up children in two worlds. www.growingupyolngu.com.au
Maypilama, Ḻ., Gundjarranbuy, R., Lowell, A., Gondarra, D. N., Nyomba, H., Gurruwiwi, Y. G., Djortja, E., Bukulatjpi, Y., Armstrong, E., McCarthy, A., Gapany, D., WulaWula, J., Lakawuy, T., Murukun, M., Dhurrkay, J. N., Hewett, M., Gondarra, G., Price, B., Yunupingu, R. B., ... Rielly, M. (2023). Dhukarr ga Rom marŋgithinyaraw bala-räliyunmirr Yolŋuw ga Balandaw - Learning Pathways YolŋuBalanda [App]. Charles Darwin University. http://growingupyolngu.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&p=265&l=2&id=76&smid=182
McDermott, D. (2018). Evidence bites - Professor McDermott, Speech Pathology Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pxEuRGRR2o
Nakata, M. (2007). Disciplining the savages: Savaging the disciplines. Aboriginal Studies Press.
Nakata, N. M., Nakata, V., Keech, S., & Bolt, R. (2012). Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous studies. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education and Society, 1(1), 120–140.
UNESCO. (2013). Intercultural competences: Conceptual and operational framework. UNESCO. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002197/219768e.pdf
Armstrong, E., Gapany, D., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., & Lowell, A. (2022). Räl-manapanmirr ga dhä-manapanmirr - Collaborating and connecting: Creating an educational process and multimedia resources to facilitate intercultural communication. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 24(5), 533–546. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2022.2070670
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Baker, R. D., Ireland, S., & Lowell, A. (2023). Räl-manapanmirr djämaw - Collaboration in action. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts, 28, 4–7. https://doi.org/10.18793/lcj2023.28.02
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., Baker, R. D., Hewat, S., & Lowell, A. (2023a). Nhaltjan dhu ḻarrum ga dharaŋan dhuḏi-dhäwuw ŋunhi limurr dhu gumurrbunanhamirr ga waŋanhamirr, Yolŋu ga Balanda: How we come together to explore and understand intercultural communication through a Yolŋu (First Nations Australian) metaphor. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 19(2), 334–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801231169337
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Bukulatjpi, Y., Gapany, D., Fasoli, L., Ireland, S., Baker, R. D., Hewat, S., & Lowell, A. (2023b). A flow that comes when we’re talking: Water metaphors for exploring intercultural communication during early childhood assessment interactions in a Yolŋu community. Journal of Applied Communication Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2023.2222163
Armstrong, E., Maypilama, Ḻ., Fasoli, L., Guyula, A., Yunupiŋu, M., Garrutju, J., Gundjarranbuy, R., Gapany, D., Godwin-Thompson, J., & Lowell, A. (2022). How do Yolŋu recognise and understand their children’s learning? Nhaltjan ŋuli ga Yolŋuy nhäma ga märr-dharaŋan djamarrkuḻiw marŋgithinyawuy? PLOS ONE, 17(8), e0272455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272455
Buthimaŋ, T., Garŋgulkpuy, J., Walpulay, L., & Christie, M. (2008). Garmak Gularriwuy: Gularri water. https://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/yaci/pdf/Buthimang_Gularri.pdf
Lowell, A., Brown, I., Marrŋanyin, B., Flack, M., Christie, M., Snelling, P., & Cass, A. (2005). Sharing the true stories: Improving communication between health staff and Aboriginal patients, Stage 1, Interim project report. Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health. https://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/stts/home.html
Lowell, A., Maypilama, Ḻ., Guyula, Y., Guyula, A., Fasoli, L., Armstrong, E., Gundjarranbuy, R., Yunupiŋu, M., Garrutju, J., Burrkili, D., & Godwin-Thompson, J. (2019). Ŋuthanmaram djamarrkuḻiny’ märrma’kurr romgurr: Growing up children in two worlds. www.growingupyolngu.com.au
Maypilama, Ḻ., Gundjarranbuy, R., Lowell, A., Gondarra, D. N., Nyomba, H., Gurruwiwi, Y. G., Djortja, E., Bukulatjpi, Y., Armstrong, E., McCarthy, A., Gapany, D., WulaWula, J., Lakawuy, T., Murukun, M., Dhurrkay, J. N., Hewett, M., Gondarra, G., Price, B., Yunupingu, R. B., ... Rielly, M. (2023). Dhukarr ga Rom marŋgithinyaraw bala-räliyunmirr Yolŋuw ga Balandaw - Learning Pathways YolŋuBalanda [App]. Charles Darwin University. http://growingupyolngu.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&p=265&l=2&id=76&smid=182
McDermott, D. (2018). Evidence bites - Professor McDermott, Speech Pathology Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pxEuRGRR2o
Nakata, M. (2007). Disciplining the savages: Savaging the disciplines. Aboriginal Studies Press.
Nakata, N. M., Nakata, V., Keech, S., & Bolt, R. (2012). Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous studies. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education and Society, 1(1), 120–140.
UNESCO. (2013). Intercultural competences: Conceptual and operational framework. UNESCO. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002197/219768e.pdf
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Anna is a Balanda (non-indigenous) clinical speech pathologist working in Darwin, NT. She is originally from Brisbane and has a Bachelor of Science (Psyc), Master of Speech Pathology and a Bachelor of Health and Human Services (Leadership) Professional Honours. She has worked with children, young people and families for over 10 years in government, private, NGO and education sectors. She has worked in QLD, ACT and WA as well as the USA, however Anna fell in love with the Pilbara red dirt and found her passion for rural and remote work. She adores the NT and the team she works in. Anna is also co-chair of the SPA NT Branch, a member of the SPA Mental Health and Trauma Advisory Group, on the SPPIN steering committee, an adjunct lecturer for UniSQ and is ASHA CCC-SLP. Anna is also a novice face painter and a mediocre (but enthusiastic) B grade volleyballer.
Miss Rebecca Boyall
Nt Health - Community Allied Health Team
Enhancing intercultural communication in allied health: Lessons from a Yolŋu-Balanda collaboration in the Northern Territory
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM**********
Miss Kyla Logan Whittard
NT Health - Children's Development Team
Enhancing intercultural communication in allied health: Lessons from a Yolŋu-Balanda collaboration in the Northern Territory
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM**********
Kyla is a Balanda (non-indigenous) clinical speech pathologist working and learning on Larrakia Country - Darwin, NT. She is originally from New South Wales and has a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). She found so much joy during her remote student placements and since then Kyla has worked across the Northern Territory in government, private and NGO sectors for the last six years. Kyla is passionate about working with culturally and linguistically diverse families and strives to uplift and celebrate all languages spoken by her clients. Kyla is still learning from others in leadership and quality improvement spaces, and to help with this in 2024, she decided to be part of the NT Executive Branch and Speech Pathology Australia’s Education Focus Group.
Session chair
Jacqueline McKechnie
University Of Canberra
The information contained in this program is current at of the time of publishing but is subject to changes made without notice.
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