Applying an Indigenous Strengths-based Theoretical Framework for First Peoples of Australia with Chronic Kidney Disease
Tracks
Trinity Room
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM |
Overview
Tracy Hardy and Dr Jaimon Kelly, University of Queensland
Speaker
Dr Jaimon Kelly
Senior Research Fellow
University Of Queensland
Applying an Indigenous Strengths-based Theoretical Framework for First Peoples of Australia with Chronic Kidney Disease
Presentation Overview
First Nations Peoples perspectives on health and wellbeing remain underrepresented in contemporary nutrition-related scientific literature. The dominant Western health knowledge system is positioned as normative, obscuring First Nations Peoples' health knowledge systems, particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD) care.
This paper introduces the application of an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework that identifies and amplifies the diverse strengths of First Nations Peoples of Australia impacted by CKD, offering an alternative to deficit-based approaches in nutrition care.
The framework integrates Prehn's (2024) micro, meso and macro level framework with Saleeby's (2023) six-step strengths-based approach to facilitate recognition of First Nations Peoples multitude of strengths. Grounded in Indigenous Standpoint Theory, this research advocates for decolonising nutrition research methodologies by centring First Nations Peoples ways of knowing, being and doing.
The framework provides dietitians and nutritionists with tools for recognising, naming and reframing deficit discourse, challenging the persistent privileging of Western worldviews in science and clinical practice. A worked example is provided in the context of promoting nutrition-health and wellbeing for First Nations People impacted by CKD residing in Yarrabah. We plan to continue to adopt and advocating for a strength-based approach in nutrition care, and lead examples of this for First Nations People impacted by CKD.
This paper introduces the application of an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework that identifies and amplifies the diverse strengths of First Nations Peoples of Australia impacted by CKD, offering an alternative to deficit-based approaches in nutrition care.
The framework integrates Prehn's (2024) micro, meso and macro level framework with Saleeby's (2023) six-step strengths-based approach to facilitate recognition of First Nations Peoples multitude of strengths. Grounded in Indigenous Standpoint Theory, this research advocates for decolonising nutrition research methodologies by centring First Nations Peoples ways of knowing, being and doing.
The framework provides dietitians and nutritionists with tools for recognising, naming and reframing deficit discourse, challenging the persistent privileging of Western worldviews in science and clinical practice. A worked example is provided in the context of promoting nutrition-health and wellbeing for First Nations People impacted by CKD residing in Yarrabah. We plan to continue to adopt and advocating for a strength-based approach in nutrition care, and lead examples of this for First Nations People impacted by CKD.
Biography
Jaimon is a consultant Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health, situated in the Centre for Health Service Research in Brisbane, Australia. Dr Kelly is an expert in digital health and nutrition and wellbeing for chronic condition management with substantial clinical and community experience and was the lead of Dietitians Australia’s Position Statement on Telehealth. Dr Kelly’s research focuses on technology-enabled health systems and interventions for improving patient-centred care in chronic condition management and simplifying nutrition communication for clinicians and people living with chronic conditions.
Tracy Hardy
Senior Research Assistant
University Of Queensland
Applying an Indigenous Strengths-based Theoretical Framework for First Peoples of Australia with Chronic Kidney Disease
Presentation Overview
First Nations Peoples perspectives on health and wellbeing remain underrepresented in contemporary nutrition-related scientific literature. The dominant Western health knowledge system is positioned as normative, obscuring First Nations Peoples' health knowledge systems, particularly in chronic kidney disease (CKD) care.
This paper introduces the application of an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework that identifies and amplifies the diverse strengths of First Nations Peoples of Australia impacted by CKD, offering an alternative to deficit-based approaches in nutrition care.
The framework integrates Prehn's (2024) micro, meso and macro level framework with Saleeby's (2023) six-step strengths-based approach to facilitate recognition of First Nations Peoples multitude of strengths. Grounded in Indigenous Standpoint Theory, this research advocates for decolonising nutrition research methodologies by centring First Nations Peoples ways of knowing, being and doing.
The framework provides dietitians and nutritionists with tools for recognising, naming and reframing deficit discourse, challenging the persistent privileging of Western worldviews in science and clinical practice. A worked example is provided in the context of promoting nutrition-health and wellbeing for First Nations People impacted by CKD residing in Yarrabah. We plan to continue to adopt and advocating for a strength-based approach in nutrition care, and lead examples of this for First Nations People impacted by CKD.
This paper introduces the application of an Indigenous strengths-based theoretical framework that identifies and amplifies the diverse strengths of First Nations Peoples of Australia impacted by CKD, offering an alternative to deficit-based approaches in nutrition care.
The framework integrates Prehn's (2024) micro, meso and macro level framework with Saleeby's (2023) six-step strengths-based approach to facilitate recognition of First Nations Peoples multitude of strengths. Grounded in Indigenous Standpoint Theory, this research advocates for decolonising nutrition research methodologies by centring First Nations Peoples ways of knowing, being and doing.
The framework provides dietitians and nutritionists with tools for recognising, naming and reframing deficit discourse, challenging the persistent privileging of Western worldviews in science and clinical practice. A worked example is provided in the context of promoting nutrition-health and wellbeing for First Nations People impacted by CKD residing in Yarrabah. We plan to continue to adopt and advocating for a strength-based approach in nutrition care, and lead examples of this for First Nations People impacted by CKD.
Biography
Tracy is a Gamilaroi woman, Accredited Nutritionist/Practising Dietitian and founder of Wattleseed Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing. Wattleseed Nutrition, a 100% First Nations owned business. She continually works to deepen her knowledge and understanding of health, wellbeing and Indigenous Healing Practices and is excited to embarking on a PhD that relates to her work this year. Tracy has completed the Dulwich Centre’s intensive training in Narrative Therapy for Aboriginal Workers; Melbourne University’s “Professional Certificate in Indigenous Research”; University of Wollongong’s Grad Cert in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery Practice; and the Flow Institute’s Level One Breathwork Facilitator Training.
Tracy strongly advocates for food and health systems reform, to grow collective leadership that drives antiracist, culturally grounded, trauma responsive and healing centred systems, care, practice and engagement so that current and future generations of First Peoples can enjoy the same fundamental right to self-determined and thriving health and wellbeing as other Australians. Tracy applies a strengths-based, holistic and cultural lens, focussing on sustainable and healing connections, conversations and actions.
