View the Success Stories in Indigenous Health, a recent collaboration of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation and the Mercy Foundation.
While these programs are diverse, there are factors that many of them have in common. The first is that the majority could be described as ‘bottom up’ rather than ‘top down’. Most of them originated at the local level, driven by priorities decided by individual Indigenous communities. Some employed methodologies pioneered elsewhere, but these were adapted so they have local relevance.
Most of the programs depend on the knowledge, authority and support of community Elders for their success. They show that improved health outcomes are less likely to come from miracle cures or imposed new treatment regimes than from the ability of Indigenous people to determine their own futures and be accountable for decisions impacting on their own communities.
We hope that the innovation, diversity and success of the programs featured will encourage our leaders from across all areas of society to do more to end Australia’s Indigenous health crisis.
Gary Highland
National Director
Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR)
Below are the Success Stories in ANTaR's booklet. There are many other such stories in Indigenous health. Please contact ANTaR if you would like to share yours.
A healthier Aboriginal community living longer
Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service, Port Augusta, SA & Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, University of SA
Blackout Violence
Wirringa Baiya Women's Legal Centre, NSW & Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women's Corporation, NSW
Building for Healthier Communities
Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation, Healthy Housing Worker Program, NSW
Educare: healing the layers of trauma
Gnibi: the College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University, NSW
Family well being
Apunipima Cape York Health Council, QLD
Good Food, Great Kids
Yarra Valley Community Health Service, VIC
Healing past hurts
Yorgum Aboriginal Family Counselling Service, WA
I want to be heard
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, ACT, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health
Keeping safe with a snake
Marie Stopes International Australia, VIC
Mooditj: Sexual health and positive life skills
FPWA Sexual Health Services, WA
Mums & Babies Program
Townsville Aboriginal & Islander Health Service, QLD
Nutrition: at the heart of good health
Jalaris Aboriginal Corporation, WA
Putting the brakes on petrol sniffing
Mt Theo-Yuendumu Substance Misuse Aboriginal Corporation, NT
Tune into your health
Nunkawarrin Yunti of SA, Aboriginal Health Service
We walk together as friends
Shalom Gamarada Ngiyani Yana Residential Scholarship, UNSW, NSW