Abstract
A cancer diagnosis is a confronting experience, and hearing from others who have navigated their own cancer journeys can provide significant reassurance and strength. Patient stories of resilience, tenacity, bravery, and insight are made accessible through the GI Cancer Institute’s website, fostering a sense of community and hope. In this film, Indigenous filmmaker Madison Shakespeare engages in a yarning dialogue with Hanifa Abdiraihan from the GI Cancer Institute’s Communication team to explore this practice, specifically within the context of First Nations patients who may wish to share their personal cancer stories.
The yarn addresses culturally specific issues, such as Sorry Business, and outlines how patients, their Kin, and sometimes the wider Community can retain ownership over their personal histories and experiences. It serves as a valuable resource for community members and anyone considering sharing their cancer stories. These culturally grounded storytelling practices exemplify how healthcare organizations can build respectful relationships with First Nations peoples by recognizing and honoring their sovereign rights, cultural knowledge, and lived experience histories. This work highlights the importance of culturally safe, respectful, and empowering approaches to sharing cancer narratives within Indigenous communities.
The yarn addresses culturally specific issues, such as Sorry Business, and outlines how patients, their Kin, and sometimes the wider Community can retain ownership over their personal histories and experiences. It serves as a valuable resource for community members and anyone considering sharing their cancer stories. These culturally grounded storytelling practices exemplify how healthcare organizations can build respectful relationships with First Nations peoples by recognizing and honoring their sovereign rights, cultural knowledge, and lived experience histories. This work highlights the importance of culturally safe, respectful, and empowering approaches to sharing cancer narratives within Indigenous communities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | https://gicancer.org.au/resources/seedpod-of-yarns/yarns-for-cancer-researchers-clinicians-and-healthcare-professionals/ |
| Publisher | GI Cancer Institute AGITG |
| Edition | 1 |
| Media of output | Film |
| Size | 14 min 7 seconds |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Madison Shakespeare is an Indigenous filmmaker, artist, poet, novelist, musician, and lawyer who proudly identifies as a Gadigal saltwater woman. Her multidisciplinary creative practice integrates Indigenous knowledge systems and storytelling traditions to amplify First Nations voices, particularly in the realms of health, culture, and community wellbeing. As part of the Seedpod of Yarns series produced for the GI Cancer Institute and the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG), Shakespeare created the film "Sharing your self-determined journey, building relationships and respecting your rights." This film explores themes of Indigenous self-determination, cultural sovereignty, and the importance of building respectful relationships honoring Indigenous rights and knowledges.Shakespeare’s work in this project emphasizes culturally safe engagement and the empowerment of First Nations patients, Kin, and communities. Through her filmmaking, she provides a vital platform for Indigenous-led narratives in healthcare and research settings, fostering education, dialogue, and culturally proficient practices. The Seedpod of Yarns series stands as a significant contribution to transforming cancer care for Indigenous Australians by centering Indigenous experiences and promoting health equity.
Research Statement
The film Sharing your self-determined journey, building relationships and respecting your rights is a vital part of the Seedpod of Yarns series produced for the GI Cancer Institute and the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG). Created by Indigenous filmmaker Madison Shakespeare, the film addresses the confronting nature of a cancer diagnosis and the reassuring impact of hearing from others who have experienced similar journeys. Through a yarning dialogue with Hanifa Abdiraihan from the GI Cancer Institute, Shakespeare explores how sharing patient stories within First Nations communities involves important cultural considerations, including Sorry Business.This work highlights how patients, Kin, and sometimes Community can maintain ownership of their personal histories, underscoring the need to respect sovereign rights over Indigenous knowledge and lived experiences. As a Non-Traditional Research Output (NTRO), the film exemplifies how Indigenous-led storytelling can foster culturally safe healthcare environments, empower patients, and guide organizations in building respectful, culturally informed relationships that advance health equity and Indigenous self-determination.
Keywords
- consent
- Indigenous health outcomes
- bridging the gap
- holistic wellbeing
- Indigenous Kin
- Indigenous Community
- quality of life