This research examines the individual practice methodology of a Community Development Practitioner (CDP) as he engages with a group of Traditional Aboriginal Owners (TAOs) with the desire to become more involved in the Northern Territory (NT) Crocodile Industry. Building on past international experience, the thesis shows how the CDP uses the concept of living theory action research to reflect and adapt local knowledge and history into his work practice, resulting in the development of a methodology that is thought will be more likely to enable him to support project participants’ rightful access to autonomy, agency and wellbeing. As a personal action research process, the practical element of this work is firstly contextualised by the CDP’s previous experience in the international arena. Providing a base from which to monitor change in his practice as he engages in the Indigenous research context in Australia, the professional methods of interaction he brought with him from prior learning are defined in what he terms a Social Framework. As he interacts with local thought and knowledge on the history of Indigenous and immigrant relations in Australia, and Indigenous research methodology, he reflects on each of these methods in an effort to develop a Social Framework for his professional interaction in this context. Adhering to this new Social Framework as he participates with the Northern Territory Traditional Aboriginal Owners Crocodile Management Board (NTTAOCMB), in their effort to establish their voice in the NT Crocodile Industry, a base is created to reflect on whether the methods concluded for his interaction did, in fact, support the TAOs to gain the autonomy and agency they were seeking. As part of the action reflection learning cycle inherent to action research, the data generated from this analysis is fed into the continued development of the CDP’s Social Framework for future professional interaction. In essence, the processes presented here aim to validate a CDP’s ability to know their practice and critically reflect on the methods of interaction they use to achieve their professional aims.
You or me?: a social framework in support of indigenous community organisation
Beattie, M. F. (Author). Nov 2011
Student thesis: Other thesis - CDU