Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening.

Madison Shakespeare; Luke Shakespeare

Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening.

Madison Shakespeare
, Luke Shakespeare (Photographer)

School of Arts

Research output: Creative Works › Audio or Visual recording

Abstract

Madison Shakespeare extensively yarns with Wiradjuri Custodians of Country, Eitan Harris and Matilda Harry, both post-graduate HDR scholars, who share the journey of a grandparent confronting a cancer diagnosis. Their lived experiences reveal how a cancer diagnosis profoundly affects generations of Kin and Community in diverse and complex ways. This yarning process has evoked meaningful opportunities for healing for all involved, as it records unique, intergenerational experiences with Kin affected by cancer.

This filmic yarn offers valuable insight for healthcare clinicians, emphasizing the importance of culturally proficient clinical practice founded on respectful listening. It highlights the need for timely diagnosis and ensuring that First Nations patients are afforded the best treatment options aligned with their self-determined cancer journey. The work underscores the necessity of placing Indigenous voices and experiences at the center of cancer care to foster healing, empowerment, and culturally safe healthcare outcomes.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	https://gicancer.org.au/resources/seedpod-of-yarns/yarns-for-first-nations-patients-kin-and-community/
Publisher	GI Cancer Institute AGITG
Edition	1
Media of output	Film
Size	28 min 59 sec
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025

Bibliographical note

Madison Shakespeare is an Indigenous scholar, filmmaker, artist, poet, novelist, and accomplished musician who proudly identifies as a Gadigal saltwater woman. She has played a significant role as a member of the AGITG Community Advisory Panel from 2021 to 2023, focusing on improving self-determination and culturally safe cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Madison's work emphasizes culturally mindful, respectful listening and deep cultural safety in healthcare, particularly in building trusting relationships between doctors and First Nations cancer patients. She extensively yarns with Indigenous scholars, such as Matilda Harry and Eitan Harris—Wiradjuri HDR scholars—in the extended film titled "Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening," which is part of the "Seedpod of Yarns" series produced for the GI Cancer Institute and AGITG. The film captures culturally specific advice and stories aimed at developing culturally safe relationships that support First Nations patients, carers, and kin in navigating cancer treatment and promoting self-determined cancer journeys. Madison also has extensive academic and pedagogical experience coordinating Indigenous studies and research projects focused on social determinants of Indigenous health and decolonizing healthcare research practices.

Research Statement

As an extended NTRO "Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening" fundamentally reflects Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being. Madison Shakespeare, an Indigenous scholar and filmmaker, takes a culturally grounded approach by extensively yarning with Wiradjuri Custodians of Country, Eitan Harris and Matilda Harry, who share the lived experience of a grandparent’s cancer diagnosis. This yarning process privileges Indigenous epistemologies and relational practices, acknowledging the profound intergenerational and communal impact of cancer within Kin and Community. By centering Indigenous voices and storytelling, the research fosters meaningful healing and strengthens cultural connectivity.
Crucially, it models a way of research and clinical engagement that challenges Western paradigms by prioritising deep, respectful listening as a fundamental mode of practice. This approach enables healthcare clinicians to cultivate culturally proficient, safe, and trust-based relationships with First Nations patients. It guides practitioners to recognize patients’ holistic realities and self-determined cancer journeys, thereby improving timely diagnosis, access to best treatment options, and overall health outcomes in Indigenous cancer care.
This NTRO exemplifies Indigenous research methodologies that integrate cultural protocols, reciprocity, and relational accountability, ultimately contributing to decolonising healthcare and reinforcing Indigenous sovereignty in health contexts.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

cancer diagnosis
cancer treatment
quality of life
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
self determination

Cite this

@misc{9eeb34af9b55460bb38a357b1a3f07a9,

title = "Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening.",

abstract = "Madison Shakespeare extensively yarns with Wiradjuri Custodians of Country, Eitan Harris and Matilda Harry, both post-graduate HDR scholars, who share the journey of a grandparent confronting a cancer diagnosis. Their lived experiences reveal how a cancer diagnosis profoundly affects generations of Kin and Community in diverse and complex ways. This yarning process has evoked meaningful opportunities for healing for all involved, as it records unique, intergenerational experiences with Kin affected by cancer. This filmic yarn offers valuable insight for healthcare clinicians, emphasizing the importance of culturally proficient clinical practice founded on respectful listening. It highlights the need for timely diagnosis and ensuring that First Nations patients are afforded the best treatment options aligned with their self-determined cancer journey. The work underscores the necessity of placing Indigenous voices and experiences at the center of cancer care to foster healing, empowerment, and culturally safe healthcare outcomes.",

keywords = "cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, quality of life, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, self determination",

author = "Madison Shakespeare and Luke Shakespeare",

note = "Madison Shakespeare is an Indigenous scholar, filmmaker, artist, poet, novelist, and accomplished musician who proudly identifies as a Gadigal saltwater woman. She has played a significant role as a member of the AGITG Community Advisory Panel from 2021 to 2023, focusing on improving self-determination and culturally safe cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Madison's work emphasizes culturally mindful, respectful listening and deep cultural safety in healthcare, particularly in building trusting relationships between doctors and First Nations cancer patients. She extensively yarns with Indigenous scholars, such as Matilda Harry and Eitan Harris—Wiradjuri HDR scholars—in the extended film titled {"}Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening,{"} which is part of the {"}Seedpod of Yarns{"} series produced for the GI Cancer Institute and AGITG. The film captures culturally specific advice and stories aimed at developing culturally safe relationships that support First Nations patients, carers, and kin in navigating cancer treatment and promoting self-determined cancer journeys. Madison also has extensive academic and pedagogical experience coordinating Indigenous studies and research projects focused on social determinants of Indigenous health and decolonizing healthcare research practices.",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

language = "English",

publisher = "GI Cancer Institute AGITG",

edition = "1",

}

TY - ADVS

T1 - Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening.

AU - Shakespeare, Madison

A2 - Shakespeare, Luke

N1 - Madison Shakespeare is an Indigenous scholar, filmmaker, artist, poet, novelist, and accomplished musician who proudly identifies as a Gadigal saltwater woman. She has played a significant role as a member of the AGITG Community Advisory Panel from 2021 to 2023, focusing on improving self-determination and culturally safe cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Madison's work emphasizes culturally mindful, respectful listening and deep cultural safety in healthcare, particularly in building trusting relationships between doctors and First Nations cancer patients. She extensively yarns with Indigenous scholars, such as Matilda Harry and Eitan Harris—Wiradjuri HDR scholars—in the extended film titled "Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening," which is part of the "Seedpod of Yarns" series produced for the GI Cancer Institute and AGITG. The film captures culturally specific advice and stories aimed at developing culturally safe relationships that support First Nations patients, carers, and kin in navigating cancer treatment and promoting self-determined cancer journeys. Madison also has extensive academic and pedagogical experience coordinating Indigenous studies and research projects focused on social determinants of Indigenous health and decolonizing healthcare research practices.

PY - 2025/3

Y1 - 2025/3

N2 - Madison Shakespeare extensively yarns with Wiradjuri Custodians of Country, Eitan Harris and Matilda Harry, both post-graduate HDR scholars, who share the journey of a grandparent confronting a cancer diagnosis. Their lived experiences reveal how a cancer diagnosis profoundly affects generations of Kin and Community in diverse and complex ways. This yarning process has evoked meaningful opportunities for healing for all involved, as it records unique, intergenerational experiences with Kin affected by cancer. This filmic yarn offers valuable insight for healthcare clinicians, emphasizing the importance of culturally proficient clinical practice founded on respectful listening. It highlights the need for timely diagnosis and ensuring that First Nations patients are afforded the best treatment options aligned with their self-determined cancer journey. The work underscores the necessity of placing Indigenous voices and experiences at the center of cancer care to foster healing, empowerment, and culturally safe healthcare outcomes.

AB - Madison Shakespeare extensively yarns with Wiradjuri Custodians of Country, Eitan Harris and Matilda Harry, both post-graduate HDR scholars, who share the journey of a grandparent confronting a cancer diagnosis. Their lived experiences reveal how a cancer diagnosis profoundly affects generations of Kin and Community in diverse and complex ways. This yarning process has evoked meaningful opportunities for healing for all involved, as it records unique, intergenerational experiences with Kin affected by cancer. This filmic yarn offers valuable insight for healthcare clinicians, emphasizing the importance of culturally proficient clinical practice founded on respectful listening. It highlights the need for timely diagnosis and ensuring that First Nations patients are afforded the best treatment options aligned with their self-determined cancer journey. The work underscores the necessity of placing Indigenous voices and experiences at the center of cancer care to foster healing, empowerment, and culturally safe healthcare outcomes.

KW - cancer diagnosis

KW - cancer treatment

KW - quality of life

KW - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing

KW - self determination

UR - https://youtu.be/wENcKIubcSs

M3 - Audio or Visual recording

PB - GI Cancer Institute AGITG

CY - https://gicancer.org.au/resources/seedpod-of-yarns/yarns-for-first-nations-patients-kin-and-community/

ER -

Building Doctor-First Nation cancer patient relationships around respectful listening.

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Research Statement

UN SDGs

Keywords

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this