SNAICC Newsletter

Women’s celebration of Indigenous land & spirit

19 March 2009: The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne held an unveiling ceremony for a beautiful five-panel glass montage in the main foyer of the hospital. The glass panel featured a Kulin Nation lands map and three panels of a painting by Koori artist Kylie Bird. Marika Kalargyros, Senior Aboriginal Support Worker, opened the ceremony, outside the Aboriginal Women’s Health Business Unit in the main foyer and in sight of the Aboriginal flag out front at the front of the hospital. ‘I am really proud to see so many community women here today,’ she said. ‘There is going to be a really strong Aboriginal presence here in this hospital.’ Lyn Briggs from VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) was one of the many community women who came along. ‘It’s fantastic having this Aboriginal art in the main entrance of the new Royal Women’s Hospital,’ she said. ‘It’s just wonderful to see all the thoughts from our first Aboriginal Women’s Business meeting in 2002 all coming to fruition. For the hospital to recognise the land of the Kulin Nation is very empowering to Aboriginal people and to Australia as a whole. ‘It’s a tribute to the work and commitment of all the AHLOs over the many years and especially Marika and Tori. ‘The artist, Kylie Bird, is a Yorta Yorta woman, and I am honoured to see her work. Marika Kalargyros & Lyn Briggs – art by Kylie Bird Hospital committee members told SNAICC that since the Aboriginal flag has been flying at the hospital front entrance, the number of Koori women coming to the hospital has markedly increased. Congratulations to The Royal Women’s Hospital on its acknowledgment of its past role in Stolen Generations and its heartfelt and creative walk to a reconciled future

25 –27 Feb. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women gathered in Canberra for Oxfam’s Straight Talk Women’s Summit. Participants came to learn about the political system, discuss concerns and design strategies for change. Participants attended a Government House reception and met with parliamentarians and advisors to discuss ways to work together. E: kellynewell@oxfam.org.au

WA Mobile Muster

Late last year the Yorganop IPSU brought together Indigenous Mobile Playgroup Services from across Western Australia in a unique Mobile Muster. Indigenous Mobile Playgroups provide a range of services and support to remote communities but they ? nd it hard to access training and support for themselves. The participants agreed that it was a great training opportunity – but perhaps best of all was being able to learn and relax in company with others who were doing the same tough though rewarding job. As someone said - ‘It’s so good not to have to explain ourselves, we all know what it’s like’. Contact: ipsumanager@yorganop.org.au

Australia signs U.N. Indigenous Rights Declaration 3 April 2009

‘United we stand – federal government support for the United Nations Indigenous Rights Declaration is a watershed moment for Australia,’ said Tom Calma. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner. 'The federal government is committing to a framework which fully respects Indigenous peoples’ rights and creates the opportunity for all Australians to be truly equal. Support for the Declaration can unleash Australia’s potential to be a world leader on how it engages with its Indigenous peoples,' he said.

2nd National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander male researcher meet

February 2009: Sixty men gathered in Alice Springs for the Second National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Researcher meeting. Th e men met for two days at the Centre for Remote Health and over 90% of participants were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Th e group heard from a number of Indigenous key speakers and others presenting on their programs or research. A key element was the bringing together different groups: health providers, men’s groups/sheds coordinators and researchers all united by their underlying concern about the critical status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men’s health. As some men seek to improve the health of other Indigenous men through health and other services, others seek to improve the knowledge base for their work or focus on other issues affecting their communities. Th e group identi? ed the need for health providers and researchers to work together and in far more collaborative ways than in the past. Similarly, the care and mentoring of those providing these services and undertaking research cannot be separated from the urgency to increase the capacity, health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Th is meeting brought together twice the number of men at the 2008 Alice Springs gathering. It continued to identify important networks and initiatives involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. It also recognised a growing group of male leaders across the nation who are striving to improve the health care offered to Indigenous men and knowledge base of this health care and many other issues. Regards, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Researcher Steering Committee