Indigenous Curriculum & Pedagogy

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What is cultural competence?

The model of cultural competence described in this document is based on the definition derived from Cross (1989, quoted in American Association of Medical Colleges, 2005, p. 1):

'Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, organization, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. "Culture" refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, actions, customs, beliefs, and institutions of racial, ethnic, social, or religious groups. "Competence" implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual or an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, practices, and needs presented by patients and their communities.'