A Call to Wellness – Whitiwhitia i te ora: Exploring Māori and Occupational Therapy Perspectives on Health

Jane Hopkirk · Linda H. Wilson

68 citations0/0 files storedOccupational Therapy International

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Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights Occupational Therapy Practice and Research Cultural Competency in Health Care

Abstract

UNLABELLED: The World Health Organization records that indigenous peoples throughout the world experience poor health. The concept of health was explored from a Māori world view and compared with occupational therapy perspectives. The aim was to understand and value indigenous knowledge and promote culturally safe responsive practice. Māori methodologies were employed to protect the Māori knowledge shared in the study. This involved applying seven principles, including respect for people, be cautious, and look, listen, and speak. Perspectives on health and wellbeing were collected in 2008-2009 from indigenous occupational therapists, other occupational therapists and indigenous health practitioners using interviews and a questionnaire. The findings are presented as a conceptual framework, depicting a whare, a Māori meeting house to show relationships between culture and health. Key concepts held by occupational therapists and Māori were spirituality, holistic views, client responsive practice, and environmental contexts. Areas of difference were the focus on occupations, the interdependence of indigenous relationships, and the place of the extended family in supporting wellness. A strength was the respect for Māori methodologies and limitations were the number of participants (N = 23) and the small proportion of Māori therapists in Aotearoa/New Zealand. RECOMMENDATIONS: Attention to culture is vital for appropriate, safe, and responsive practice. The conceptual framework provides a tool to inform, guide, and evaluate practice understandings. It acknowledges the importance of the individual within their extended family, their natural environment, and the historical, social, and political realities of living as Māori. Further research should explore the use of the framework and interaction between occupational therapy practice and specific indigenous cultures.

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References

20248 Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples 2000Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples 1991Te Wheke a Celebration of Infinite Wisdom 2013Ngā kāhui pou launching Māori futures 2015Health of Indigenous Peoples

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