The life and journey of a First Nations healing workforce is characterised by a variety of unique challenges and opportunities. First Nations cultures inherently have many strengths, and these strengths have a role in enhancing a First Nations healing workforce. These strengths may come from a unique understanding of wellness, the establishment of processes and protocols around roles and responsibilities or even in the values of unconditioned care, support, and unity. Encouraging a resilient and sustainable First Nations workforce requires an approach that acknowledges the worker as not just a ‘professional’ but also a ‘community person’. Their knowledge, wisdom and authority become a question of not just formal qualifications but their lived experiences and understanding of a community’s lived realities. There is value in viewing a First Nations workforce through a ‘Lived Experience’ lens. These experiences shine a light on a variety of real opportunities and challenges that exist when delivering healing services. For many, being in the ‘workforce’ is not a job but a way of being which carries much responsibility and accountability not only to an ‘employer’ but also a community. On some occasions the way forward might not be so much about ‘training’ a workforce but ‘empowering’ a workforce to undertake their natural roles. On other occasions it might be about promoting the accessibility of formal training opportunities. For many a common challenge is finding a balance between cultural and clinical governance and associated expectations. How a First Nations workforce perform their duties is not just attached to their ‘Position Description’ within an organisation but also embedded within their role as a community person. Empowering a First Nations workforce towards enhanced resilience and to reach its full potential is everyone’s business and is required to achieve equity in care and healing opportunities for First Nations communities.

Three Key Learnings:

1. There is value in viewing a First Nations workforce through a ‘Lived Experience’ lens.
2. For many First Nations workers being in the ‘workforce’ is not a job but a way of being that carries much responsibility and accountability.
3. First Nations Workforce equity may be about finding balance between cultural and clinical governance and associated expectations.