Bridging cultural gaps during NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) is a great way to celebrate Indigenous culture and build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
A host of activities are planned for NAIDOC week within the Hunter New England Health (HNE Health) region to recognise Indigenous people, their past and present.
Director of Hunter New England Aboriginal Health Tony Martin said NAIDOC Week was an opportunity for staff and the community to join together and reflect on the good work that’s taking place to help to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region.
“The HNE Health area has the largest population of all Area Health Services, with 21.4 per cent of the State’s Aboriginal population,” Mr Martin said.
“Increasing access to health services, especially to remote and rural Indigenous communities, is a key priority for the Area Health Service,” he said.
Health staff across the region will take part in a variety of activities.
At Manning Hospital in Taree, members of the community and health staff are invited to attend the screening of a film documentary called ‘Kanyini’, as a way of closing cultural gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
‘Kanyini’ is a story told by an Aboriginal man, Bob Randall focusing on Indigenous people struggling in the modern world and the ways Indigenous people can move forward. The documentary was voted ‘Best Documentary’ at the London Australian Film Festival last year and was also the winner of the Inside Film Independent Spirit Award.
Staff Development Coordinator at Manning Hospital, Kathy Barnett said staff and community members are invited to watch the film and engage in an open discussion about bridging cultural differences within the community, which will take place at the end of the screening.
“We are very excited about the producer Melanie Hogan visiting Taree, she will host the group discussion after each session to answer questions from the community about the film,” Kathy said.
Three separate sessions will be held on Thursday 10 June screened at the Manning Hospital Staff Centre at 8am and 11am, the 3pm session will be held at the Taree Community Health Centre.
“This year’s theme is Advance Australia Fair? It encourages Australians to reflect on the principle of 'a fair go' and consider the inequalities that Indigenous people still face. We are committed to working towards improving health outcomes and healthy futures for Indigenous Australians, specifically working towards increasing the life expectancy of Aboriginal people” Mr Martin said.
NAIDOC events across the Hunter New England Health region include:
• NAIDOC Week flag-raising at Tamworth Hospital – Monday 7 July:
Morning tea and ceremony outside the Emergency Department at 10.45am.
• Flag-raising at Walcha Community Health Centre – Wednesday 9 July: Morning tea and ceremony at 10am.
• Flag-raising at Muswellbrook Community Health Centre – Tuesday 8 July: Morning tea and ceremony at 10.30am
• Flag-raising at Moree District Health Service – Tuesday 8 July: Morning tea and ceremony at 10am, followed by a luncheon at the Aboriginal Health Centre in Frome Street.
• Flag-raising at the Wallsend Campus, on Thursday 10 July: Barbecue and ceremony at 12.30pm
For more information to go http://www.naidoc.org.au/ or Hunter New England Health – Aboriginal Health Unit on (02) 49 246 067.
(HNE - 1449)
Contact: Kylie Dawson
Phone: (02) 6767 7136 or 0408 667 299