Final Report: Strengthening Community Research in ... - Ninti One

The model that Wadsworth describes includes four conceptual parties involved in the paradigm, which isrepresentative of the parties engaged at Ntaria. She suggests these are:1. The researcher/s2. The researched3. The researched for (in the sense of having the problem the research is to resolve) – in this case, Wurla Nyinta,the LRG.4. The researched for (in the sense that they might benefit from better information about the situation – theymay be trying to care for those with the problem, or provide, administer or fund the problematic thing or anactivity or service which addresses the matter or tries to manage, treat, ameliorate or prevent it, and so on).Wadsworth (1998:8)Drawing parallels with this project, the four parties involved in the project at Ntaria include (1) the Ninti One NtariaResearch Team; (2) community residents of Ntaria, Tjuwanpa and outstations; (3) Wurla Nyinta LRG; and (4) FaHCSIA,ROC and SGI staff.The initial motivation for the PAR project at Ntaria was driven by the funding stakeholders, FaHCSIA, ROC and the SGIstaff (4). After completion of the initial research cycle, Wurla Nyinta (3) became engaged to some degree in providingfeedback and helping to elicit the subject for the second and third research cycles. Wurla Nyinta is a group of peoplewho are made up of, and represent, the community of people represented in groups (1), (2) and (4). Ninti One BusinessDevelopment Unit staff are represented in groups (1) and (4).Our conclusion is that the use of PAR as the basis for the project has led to a larger number of insights of the kinddescribed above and that contribute to a wider body of knowledge and evidence on effective community-basedresearch. Feedback from local people includes requests for research to inform community priorities about:Smoking habits: motivators and enticements to quitHousing: particularly perceptions held among residents about what conditions are reasonable, and acomparison with Territory Housing expectationsSchool attendance: the barriers and enablers, community attitudesThe use of first languages: protocols and cultural awareness relating to local governance, leadership,decision making and expectations from external agenciesStrengthening Arrarnta culture: cross-cultural resources, training and AnparnintjaThe community understands that Ninti One has no capacity to make a commitment to consider these projects atthe present time, due to the end of existing program funds. The research cycles undertaken in terms of thiscontract have been met; these further requests are the result of community perceptions and experience with theresearch process and learning cycles. The project has shown the potential for good results to be achieved from furtherresearch.8.4 Implications for the RSD and government engagement with remotecommunitiesThe work undertaken through this project at Ntaria represents an approach to achieving change in the wayexternal agencies engage with remote Aboriginal communities to achieve better social, governance, employmentand community development outcomes.It is apparent that residents with local experience should be represented strongly in community research,monitoring and evaluation of the RSD agreement for their community. At Ntaria, Aboriginal community