DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.27743810
title: Truth telling and truth witnessing: results from a transformative experiential learning program between Aboriginal Elders and non-Aboriginal researchers

description: Aboriginal Elders have supported Aboriginal health and wellbeing for generations. Aboriginal Elders also play an important role in guiding those who work in health systems to work in culturally safe ways. The Cultural Exchange Program was developed to encourage reflexivity among non-Aboriginal researchers (<i>N</i> = 6) through experiential learning and relationship building with local Noongar Elders (<i>N</i> = 5). This paper examines the transformative impacts of this program for both the Aboriginal Elders and non-Aboriginal participants. The Cultural Exchange Program was developed through an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) approach. The Elders and researchers had active involvement and influence over the research process and interpretation of data. Themes were co-created through the APAR approach, including a reflexive thematic analysis and feedback loop. For the Elders, the program promoted a desire to educate and bring about change, facilitated healing through truth-telling, and led to experiences of cultural respect. For the non-Aboriginal participants, the program evoked deep respect for the Elders and their knowledges, surfaced unsettling colonial realities, encouraged an inwards reflection, and motivated social justice change. These results highlight the transformative and healing experiences which can exist at the intersection of reflexivity, truth-telling, truth-witnessing, and relationship building. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>The history and practice of health and wellbeing research has contributed to the colonisation of Aboriginal peoples.There is a need for health and wellbeing professionals to develop reflexive skills to work in culturally safe ways with Aboriginal peoples.Aboriginal Elders can play an important role in guiding those who work in health and wellbeing systems to work in culturally safe ways. The history and practice of health and wellbeing research has contributed to the colonisation of Aboriginal peoples. There is a need for health and wellbeing professionals to develop reflexive skills to work in culturally safe ways with Aboriginal peoples. Aboriginal Elders can play an important role in guiding those who work in health and wellbeing systems to work in culturally safe ways. <b>What this topic adds</b>:
This paper outlines the process and outcomes of a Cultural Exchange Program, which encouraged reflexivity among non-Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing researchers.Aboriginal Elders and non-Aboriginal participants engaged in independent but intertwined transformative journeys, through building friendships, trust, and reciprocity.In line with an Aboriginal Participatory Action Approach, Elders and participants co-created themes as co-researchers. This paper outlines the process and outcomes of a Cultural Exchange Program, which encouraged reflexivity among non-Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing researchers. Aboriginal Elders and non-Aboriginal participants engaged in independent but intertwined transformative journeys, through building friendships, trust, and reciprocity. In line with an Aboriginal Participatory Action Approach, Elders and participants co-created themes as co-researchers.