Disrupting normalised discourses: ways of knowing, being and doing cultural competence

Karen Sinclair

doi:10.1017/jie.2018.23

Authors

Karen Sinclair School of Creative Industries, University of South Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1017/jie.2018.23

Keywords:

Cultural competence, discourse, early childhood, regimes of truth, yarning

Abstract

The concept of cultural competence is a multifaceted construct that requires careful consideration as it raises questions as to whose ‘truth’ is being advocated. This paper draws on findings from a qualitative study which used an indigenous methodology of yarning to investigate early childhood educators’ understandings and perspectives of cultural competence. Adopting a poststructuralist approach to grounded theory, data were analysed to identify themes that reflected educators’ understandings and perspectives. This paper presents a snapshot of these themes along with a framework of positioning self in relationship to ways of knowing, being and doing cultural competence. I conclude by suggesting that this framework can provide opportunity for educators to disrupt normalised discourses and re-conceptualise cultural competence.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

BainbridgeR, McCalmanJ, CliffordA and TseyK (2015) Cultural Competency in the delivery of health services for Indigenous people. Canberra: Closing the Gap Clearinghouse, Issue Paper No. 12.

BarkerC and GalasinskiD (2001) Cultural Studies and Discourse Analysis: A Dialogue on Language and Identity. London: Sage.

BennettMJ (1993) Towards ethnorelativism: a developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In PaigeRM (ed.), Education for the Intercultural Experience. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, pp. 21–71.

BergerPL and LuckmannT (1966) The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. New York: Anchor.

BessarabD and Ng'anduB (2010) Yarning about yarning as a legitimate method in Indigenous research. International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies 3, 37–50.

BowesJ, KitsonR and BurnsN (2010) Quality in children's services: ‘yarning’ with parents in the Indigenous child care (ICCC) study. Paper presented at the AARE International education research conference, Australian Association for Research in Education, 28 November–2 December, Melbourne.

BraunV and ClarkeV (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101.

BurgessC and BerwickC (2009) Aboriginal peoples’ perceptions and beliefs about quality teaching. Refereed paper presented at AARE International education research conference, Australian Association for Research in Education, November–December, Canberra.

CampbellS and PageJ (2003) Curriculum contexts: becoming an early childhood professional. In Mac NaughtonG (ed.), Shaping Early Childhood, Learners, Curriculum and Contexts. UK: McGraw-Hill Education, pp. 282–301.

Campinha-BacoteJ (2002) The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services: a model of care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing 13, 181–184.

CastagnoAE (2014) Educated in Whiteness. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

CohenL, ManionL and MorrisonK (2000) Research Methods in Education, 5th Edn. New York: RoutledgeFalmer.

Council of Australian Governments (COAG) (2009) Investing in the Early Years—A National Early Childhood Development Strategy, an Initiative of the Council of Australian Governments. Canberra.

CrossT, BazronB, DennisK and IsaacsM (1989) Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care, vol. 1, Center for Child Health and Mental Health Policy. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Child Development Center.

DahlbergG, MossP and PenceA (1999) Beyond Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care: Postmodern Perspectives. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

DahlbergG, MossP and PenceA (2007) Beyond Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care: Languages of Evaluation, 2nd Edn. London: Falmer Press.

DeanR (2001) The myth of cross-cultural competence. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services 82, 623–630.

DeanC (2010) A yarning place in narrative histories. History of Education Review 39, 6–13.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2009) Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2010) Educators Belonging, Being and Becoming: Educators’ Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.

FisherR (2005) Teaching Children to Learn. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.

FluckigerB, DiamondP and JonesW (2012) Yarning space: leading literacy learning through family-school partnerships. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood 37, 53.

FoucaultM (1979) Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

FoucaultM (1980) Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings 1972–1977, Trans. C Gordon. New York: Pantheon Books.

FurlongM and WightJ (2011) Promoting ‘critical awareness’ and critiquing ‘cultural competence’: towards disrupting received professional knowledges. Australian Social Work 64, 38–54.

GoreJ (1993) The struggle for pedagogies: critical and feminist discourses as regimes of truth. London: Routledge.

HollinsworthD (2015) How do we ensure that the aim of Indigenous cultural competence doesn't reinforce racialized and essentialised discourses of indigeniety? Indigenous Content in Education Symposium 1, 33–47.

JovanovicS and RoderJ (2008) New frames of reference: asking questions as part of leadership activity. The First Years: Nga Tau Tuatahi, New Zealand Journal of Infant and Toddler Education 10, 8–12.

KeatingA (2007) Teaching Transformation: Transcultural Classroom Dialogues. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

KovachM (2010) Indigenous Methodologies—Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

KumagaiAK and LypsonML (2009) Beyond cultural competence: critical consciousness, social justice, and multicultural education. Academic Medicine 84, 782–787.

LampertJ (2005) The teaching that matters: merging our personal beliefs with professional practice in the classroom. In PhillipsJ and LampertJ (eds), Introductory Indigenous Studies in Education: Reflection and the Importance of Knowing. Sydney: Pearson Education, pp. 83–99.

LumD (2011) Culturally Competent Practice: A Framework for Understanding Diverse Groups and Justice Issues, 4th Edn. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Mac NaughtonG (2005) Doing Foucault in Early Childhood Studies: Applying Poststructural Ideas. New York: Routledge.

MartinK (2003) Ways of knowing, being and doing: a theoretical framework and methods for Indigenous and indigenist re-search. Journal of Australian Studies 27, 203–214.

MerriamSB (2002) Introduction to qualitative research. In MerriamSB (ed.), Qualitative Research in Practice: Examples for Discussion and Anlaysis. New York: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 1–17.

MorrisJ (2010) in-Between, across, and within difference: an examination of ‘cultural competence’. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies 1, 315–325.

MouleJ and DillerJV (2012) Cultural Competence: A Primer for Educators, 2nd Edn. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

MurdockG (1999) Corporate dynamics and broadcasting futures. In MackayH and O'SullivanT (eds), The Media Reader: Continuity and Transformation. London: Sage, pp. 28–42.

RobertsonJ (2006) Focusing the lens: gazing at the gaze. In FleetA, PattersonC and RobertsonJ (eds), Insight: Behind Early Childhood Pedagogical Documentation. Sydney: Pademelon Press, pp. 147–160.

RobinsonKH and JonesDC (2006) Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education: Issues for Theory and Practice. Berkshire: Open University Press.

RoseM (2013) An almost competent look at cultural competency. Indigenous Voices: Indigenous Global Leadership 2013, 21–32.

SaldañaJ (2009) The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

SeamannA, ProudD and MartinK (2012) Only seeing colour? Identity, pedagogy and ways of knowing. In FleetA, PattersonC and RobertsonJ (eds), Conversations: Behind Early Childhood Pedagogical Documentation. New South Wales: Pademelon Press, pp. 245–258.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) (2012) Cultural Competence in Early Childhood Education and Care Services. North Fitzroy, Melbourne: SNAICC Consultation Overview, SNAICC.

SimsM (1999) What we believe is what we do. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood 24, 1–5.

SimsM (2011) Early Childhood and Education Services for Indigenous Children Prior to Starting School, Resource sheet no. 7. Closing the Gap Clearinghouse. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

SpillmanD (2017) A share in the future … Only for those who become like ‘us’!: challenging the ‘Standardisation’ reform approach to Indigenous Education in the Northern Territory. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 46, 137–147.

TervalonM and Murray-GarciaJ (1998) Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 9, 117–125.

WellsMI (2000) Beyond cultural competence: a model for individual and institutional cultural development. Journal of Community Health Nursing 17, 189–199.