Bicultural Workshop Meetings

Background on Bicultural Workshop Meetings, held as required and open to all service providers onsite:
The inaugural meeting held in June 2000 where the terms of reference were identified as:

Learning needs i.e.
Language pronunciation, role of Te Ha, time perceptions, creation stories and relationship to health, Maori dimensions of health, safe cultural practices.

Participation and feedback i.e.
How to gain input from Maori in service development and how to gain feedback from Maori patients.

Integration i.e.
The focus on the Health Centre and the relationship between all providers.
Availability of resources for Maori traditional healing practices.

Personal responsibilities of employees of all services i.e.
All services are signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding between Ngati Whatua and KCI.
Job descriptions should include commitment to bicultural safe practices.
Alignment of policy and process between all the provider groups.
Ward processes in linking with other providers and clients.

Evidence of process to achieve Tauiwi (pakeha) responsibility to the Treaty
Having a written account of developing the bicultural approach.
Developing Key success indicators
Monitoring behaviour changes

Meetings:
Bicultural Workshop Meetings are held as required to fit in with the time table of Te Poutokomanawa, Maori Directorate for Northland Health.  The aim of the meeting is to discuss bicultural issues/questions/current events etc in a non-threatening (safe) environment. Guest speakers are sometimes on the agenda.  Lunch is provided.  A copy of the minutes are available on request from KCI.