The gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health, education, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing remains a major concern. Bridging these gaps and working in culturally safe and responsive ways with people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent presents considerable challenges, including for the discipline and profession of psychology. At the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) inaugural congress in September 2016, the APS issued an Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait...read more
The Frontier Wars refer to conflicts between Europeans and Aboriginal people including battles, acts of resistance and open massacres from 1788 to the 1930s. This website provides an overview of Aboriginal resistance to European colonisation and details a number of specific conflicts across the country. The site includes video discussion with Aboriginal and non-Indigenous peoples about their knowledge of the wars, why we need to know about the conflict, and links to further informationread more
The fourth Slice of LIME Seminar was held on 27th April 2015, hosted by the University of Sydney. This event was a Poche Indigenous Health Network Key Thinkers Forum and a National Senior Teaching Fellowship activity, supported by the Office of Learning and Teaching. The forum focused on identifying and applying critical elements of cultural competency/humility/safety for effective cross-cultural work. It brought together key thinkers in this area to search for common ground, and sought...read more
The third Slice of LIME seminar was hosted by Flinders University SA on 12 September 2014. Presenters for this third Seminar include Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien (Kaurna Elder), Aunty Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Prof. L.C. Chan, Dr Heather Gaunt. Rapporteur for the session was Prof Lambert Schuwirht and it was facilitated by Prof. Dennis McDermott. Click here to access the Seminar Programme.read more
The second Slice of LIME Seminar was presented by Professor Dennis McDermott & Mr Dave Sjoberg from the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and Well-Being at Flinders University South Australia, on 12th August 2014. It focused on cultural safety in health professions, & explored pedagogical methods for addressing issues such as racism, white privilege & stereotyping of Indigenous people, as encountered when teaching health science students. Topics discussed included: Equipping students to challenge cultural safety...read more
In September 2012 the inaugural Australian Psychological Society (APS) Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was launched at the 47th APS Conference in Perth. The RAP is the result of a collaborative and consultative process officially commencing with the signing of a statement of commitment with Reconciliation Australia. A Working Group and Executive Group of diverse stakeholders led the development of the RAP. The RAP identifies four broad areas as priority areas for action: Respectful Relationships Governance...read more
Twenty-four national allied health organisations became signatories to the Statement of Intention to Improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, at Parliament House in March 2014.read more
Over 40 leading researchers and academics from across Australia met at the University of Western Australia Boatshed in Perth, to discuss research concerning racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The two-day meeting significantly advanced the themes of social justice and reconciliation in Australian society and has culminated in the production of a detailed statement against racism. The statement is a declaration on racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians that is intended...read more
The ACOSS Statement of Apology acknowledges the role that welfare services have played in the Stolen Generations, and commits to the reconciliation process and to working to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing.read more
Last week’s terrible news that a 10-year-old Aboriginal girl had taken her own life shook many Australians. Yet there would be few Aboriginal families who have not already been affected by the suicide or attempted suicide of their young people. This includes our own extended families and kin.read more
