The Cultural Needs Scale for Aboriginal Australians (CNS) was developed by Dr Tracy Westerman, and is used with the General Cultural Competency Test for Aboriginal Australians (GCCT: 2003, 2010) which is completed by managers and supervisors of Aboriginal people. The Cultural Needs Scale has been used with Aboriginal people for approximately 10 years. It was developed based on asking Aboriginal people about the sorts of difficulties that can often result from working in mainstream environments. Importantly, it gives some CLEAR direction to organisations about the sorts of changes that need to happen to make sure that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people are able to work together at a more culturally appropriate level. The CNS is COMPLETELY PRIVATE. You will get personal feedback when you do the CNS. As the CNS will be filled out by a large number of Aboriginal people in your organisation, IPS will also report back on what the COMMON issues or cultural needs are but this WILL NOT IDENTIFY you personally. This information is then used to develop a program for your organisation to address the issues identified. At some stage we will also get you to do the CNS again so that we can check if our suggested program has resulted in some good changes in the work environment for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

WALKING YOU THROUGH THE CNS

You will be asked questions across a number of different areas of cultural need including:

1. Cultural Identity/Connection/Culture Stress. How important is your cultural identity to you? Have you had a lot to do with your culture during your upbringing and as an adult? Does this sometimes make it hard for you to be away and also to ‘make sense’ of mainstream worlds? Does this cause you stress sometimes? If you experience racism/prejudice how do you cope with this?

2. Knowledge. What knowledge is important to have about the history of Aboriginal people in Australia? What stereotypes are you likely to hear about Aboriginal people? How can the knowledge you have assist you to address these myths or stereotypes effectively? Do have specific knowledge on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people to guide you? 

3. Skills. Are you aware that communication styles can be very different between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Are your skills in being able to communicate effectively sufficient? Do you that there are differences in how Aboriginal people learn? That this can be confused for a lack of ability by non-Aboriginal people?

4. Organisational Culture. What do you think about your organisation as a place for Aboriginal people to work in? Do you think the organisation is culturally appropriate? Do they show a commitment to cultural issues? How?

To complete the CNS online click here

For details on a General Cultural Competency Intervention Program and Aboriginal Worker Retention Program for your Organisation Click here