063 – Unpacking colonised thinking in OT

This episode explores the impact of colonised thinking and systemic racism within the occupational therapy profession, particularly in Australia. The discussion begins with an overview of how history is taught in schools, framed from a Eurocentric perspective that often simplifies or negates the experiences and history of Aboriginal people. Against the backdrop of this historical context, the speakers discuss how this skewed education system leads to a lack of background knowledge and frameworks to address issues of multiculturalism, social justice, and equity within occupational therapy. More significantly, the conversation pivots to the concept of whiteness as a construct created to justify the exploitation and dehumanisation of Indigenous populations, further impacting how health services are designed and delivered. For instance, the "Closing the Gap" program, while intending to address health discrepancies, is critiqued for its compensatory model that assumes a Western standard of success. As the discussion progresses, the speakers highlight the importance of self-reflection, understanding the history of institutions, and decolonising practices to create more culturally responsive and inclusive services. Ultimately, the episode underscores the need for occupational therapists to challenge the status quo, infuse non-Western ideas into their education and practice, and work alongside Indigenous communities to write a new narrative forward.