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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 25 January 2008
Welcome to Tarwangin, a regular newsletter produced by the Department of Indigenous Affairs to provide the latest news and information on issues associated with Indigenous communities.
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Indigenous Health In Medical School Curricula
The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) released a report urging stakeholders in medical education to recognize the importance of Indigenous Health in medical school curricula. The report, based on the proceedings of the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) conference in late 2007, outlines areas of key importance in Indigenous Health Education. AMSA President, Michael Bonning, commented that the long standing inequity between the health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is completely unacceptable. "Improving Indigenous Health outcomes requires a medical workforce with a sound understanding of the issues involved in the provision of health care to Indigenous Australians," said Mr Bonning. He further commented that to produce medical graduates of this calibre requires an Indigenous health curricula that addresses the social, cultural and medical factors which contribute to the poor health of Indigenous Australians. Importantly, the curricula needs be developed in consultation with Indigenous Australians, health professionals and students and must also emphasise the potential for healthier Indigenous communities, rather than focusing too heavily on negative historical aspects of Indigenous Australians. "In this way, we can take steps towards closing the gap between the health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians," concluded Mr Bonning. The Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education conference report can be accessed here.
Grants for Indigenous Filmmakers
The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic initiative created to provide an international platform for Indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share their cultures, stories, and perspectives through the power of film and photography. All Roads includes a film festival, photography program and seed grant program. The All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects by and about Indigenous and under-represented minority-culture filmmakers from all reaches of the globe. The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and communities to light through first-person story telling. Grants range up to a maximum of $10, 000 each and submission deadlines are quarterly on the 15th in the months of March, June, September and December. For complete guidelines and application procedures visit the website here.
New Health Index to Assess Indigenous Children
A new index has been developed to assess the health and development of Indigenous children from conception to their first year of school. The Indigenous Australian Early Development Index is a teacher-completed checklist of over 100 questions measuring five key areas of development as children enter their first year of school. The Federal Government says the new index will help find the best way to invest funds to break the cycle of disadvantage. The project will start in Western Australia in 2008 and will be extended into the Northern Territory and one other state from 2009. Child health expert Professor Fiona Stanley says there is overwhelming evidence to show most Indigenous children are well behind the "eight ball" by the time they start school. Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, says investment in a child's early years is the one that makes the biggest difference. "We know if you're really going to make a difference to a child's life chances, their chance of a long life, a healthy life, a life where they're engaged in the world of work, where they're contributing to their communities, where they're having meaningful relationships, you need to invest early," says Ms Gillard. For more information about the index, view the following website here.
Giving up on reconciliation presentation by Lt Gen Sanderson
In a revised and updated presentation of the well received 2007 Garran Oration, Lt General John Sanderson will holistically bring together the big picture of Indigenous issues in the Australian public sector. This seminar is scheduled for Thursday, 7 February, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel, from 7.30am to 8.50am. The presentation will provide insight into the structural frameworks of government that hinder and inhibit the development of Indigenous public policy. Lt General Sanderson will also outline his new ideas into how agencies should and could be working in the field of Indigenous affairs. For more information and to book a place at the seminar, contact the event organisers on 9221 1177 or visit the website here.
Federal Government Funding Opportunities
A series of funding under the Australian Government's programs and services for Indigenous people and communities are available in the various fields of cultural support, heritage, sport and recreation, broadcasting, maintenance of Indigenous language and records and many more. For a full list of available programs and funding eligibility, visit the following website here.
New Housing Plans for the Pilbara
A Roebourne based Indigenous group is working with the Western Australian and Federal Governments to help ease the housing crisis in the Pilbara region. The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) recently outlined plans to create a new housing development for nearly 400 homes in the Roebourne-Cape Lambert area. Under the NAC proposal, 380 blocks would be developed for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families on a 40ha site. The NAC holds native title rights over the area. NAC Chairperson, Jill Churnside, said the plan would help meet the increasing demand for housing in the region, particularly for Indigenous people as the mining boom continues. Ms Churnside also commented that the NAC plans to develop an environmentally sustainable housing estate by incorporating solar power, wastewater management and water harvesting. Furthermore, in a bid to improve education opportunities for children in the area, a free parcel of land will be offered to a fee-paying educational institution to establish a school in the development. For more information contact NAC.
National Indigenous Legal Advocacy Course
Central TAFE WA is offering new courses for Certificates III, IV and a Diploma in National Indigenous Legal Advocacy (NILAC). This course is designed to meet the needs of Indigenous people with an interest in criminal justice or are employed in Indigenous community organisations or relevant government departments and agencies or are participating in Indigenous community justice mechanisms. An information/orientation course for NILAC will be held at 3pm on 13 February 2008 at Central TAFE (room S108, 25 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge). For more information please contact Aileen O'Rourke on 08 9427 3735 or via email.
Logo Design for National Native Title Conference
The Native Title Research Unit (NTRU) and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies invites submissions from Noongar artists for a new or existing artwork. The artwork will form the basis for the design of the logo and promotional materials for the 2008 National Native Title Conference. The quality of the artwork will need to be able to assist in branding the Conference's theme on "Koorah, Yira, Boordah" (Past, Present and Future). For more information, please contact Carol Innes on 9358 7416 or via email here.
Disability Workers Urgently Required
Expressions of interest are sought from Indigenous people who would like to be considered for employment in the field of disability services, providing direct care support for people with disabilities. The Disability Services Commission is looking for mature Indigenous people who may be interested in a training opportunity in one of the Commission's Accommodation Services. For more information, please contact Jim Morrison on 08 9426 9718.
Didgeridoo Helps Young Asthmatics
A recent study investigating whether music therapy can help manage the suffering of Indigenous asthmatics have found that playing the didgeridoo will help young Indigenous males struggling with asthma. The study, reported in the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, was funded by the Asthma Foundation and carried out through the University of Southern Queensland. Lead researcher, Robert Eley, commented that the primary goal of the study was to design something that would engage and retain the attention of Indigenous youths in complying with asthma-management programs. Music lessons were held weekly for six months, with male participants being taught the didgeridoo, while female attendees had singing lessons. The study found that the younger and older boys had significantly improved respiratory function and they had noticed improvement with their health. The girls also noticed improvements in their asthma symptoms, although their respiratory function was not measurably higher. Dr Eley further commented that another benefit from improved health for the youngsters could include increased school attendance. For more information, visit the following website here.
Campaign to save Indigenous Language
Four new Indigenous language books have been launched as part of the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education Noongar Endangered Languages Project. The books were launched in Albany at the Vancouver Arts Centre and in the Great Southern venue of Tambellup Sports Centre. The books are bilingual and contain the stories of Elders who work closely with younger people in the community on the text and illustrations. Batchelor Institute Director Dr Jeannie Herbert said keeping language strong was a vital part of maintaining Indigenous cultural traditions across Australia. The Institute has been working with the Noongar people for more than two and a half years on a range of language projects. To date, the project has produced 11 books and nine posters in partnership with the Noongar people and they come with additional teaching resources such as a talking book and resource CD. For more information, visit the following website here.
Arts Grants Funding Round
The Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) invites applications from individuals, groups and organisations requiring financial assistance to undertake activity in all artforms (except film, television and radio). There three categories on offer: Arts Development, Young People and the Arts and Indigenous Arts. The first two categories have a closing date of 29 February 2008, while applications for the latter category closes on 14 March 2008. For more information and a copy of the application forms, contact DCA on 08 9224 7310 or visit the website here.
WA Indigenous Students Enter Studies in Film and Screen
Eight Indigenous Western Australian students from Swan View Senior High School have become the first in Australia to undertake a Certificate in Screen. During the semester, the students mastered technical skills including operating a video camera, recording and mixing sounds and presentation techniques. Learning took place in a culturally secure environment that was facilitated by the mentors and incorporated issues such as self-esteem, Aboriginality and goal setting. This project was supported by WA Central TAFE's Konga Moya Rang Program, which recognises mentoring as a traditional way in which Indigenous people learn. Central TAFE lecturer and international mentoring expert, Louis Thompson, commented that the results have been impressive. "The eight students who participated in the screen program...have exceeded all expectations and I hope that we have broadened their horizons and opened up new opportunities for them," commented Mr Thompson. For more information, visit the website here.
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