Decolonising Disability: Quandamooka Weaving

• Main Author: Samantha Cooms
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing not elsewhere classified; Quandamooka mob; First Nations peoples; Indigenous community leaders; Disability; NDIS; Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council; Disability support; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies; Barra; Gana; Moreton; Moreton Bay; Queensland; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.25946/20264295.v1

This thesis explores the voice of Australia’s First Nation Quandamooka community of Moreton Bay, Queensland, in caring for one another, with a special focus on disability. First Nations peoples experience some of the poorest social, health and economic outcomes of any group in Australia and experience higher rates of disability than non-Indigenous Australians. Their experience of disability is compounded by institutional racism in the health care sector as well as the ongoing impact of colonisation. Whilst previous research has focused on vulnerabilities, there is little known of the strengths of First Nations communities in managing and negotiating disabilities, or the role of traditional knowledges and practices in this space and its contribution to sustainability and inclusion. This research project aims to capture and elevate the voices of the Quandamooka community with the intention of furthering the decolonisation of the disability sector. The project aims to add to the body of knowledge in a manner that is inclusive, culturally appropriate and culturally safe whilst also contributing to sustainability and inclusive practices across all sectors. The objectives of this research are: to gain a better understanding of Indigenous disability, including what traditional systems and practices that were used to care for community members and the current strengths of the community in negotiating and supporting community members with a disability; and to contribute to the improvement of services to First Nations peoples with disabilities. The research approach uses Indigenist Research methodologies based on Quandamooka ontology. Data was collected through a virtual yarning group (a Facebook group called Gana Barra Quandamooka), autoethnography and in-depth interviews in close partnership with Indigenous community leaders, specifically the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results suggest that disability is not considered as something separate from being of ...