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5 Great Ways to Learn More About First Nations Communities

Jul 9, 2020

Written by MedicGuild

We’ve compiled a few community, research and media resources for you to engage with and learn more about First Nations Communities. We hope you find them useful! 

1. Connect 

Follow these organisations on social media and check out their media releases for the latest updates and information relating to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities around the country.

Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) - is a not-for-profit, member-based, professional association supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and doctors. AIDA also offers associate membership options for non-Indigenous allies to join. 

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) - is the national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia. NACCHO represents their membership of 143 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) that operate in over 300 clinics across Australia, delivering holistic, comprehensive and culturally competent primary healthcare services. To find community controlled health services in your state or territory please see NACCHO's members page. 

Australian Indigenous Health Network - is a research centre within Edith Cowan University. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet provides support to those working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector by making research and other knowledge readily accessible.

2. Research

Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Research- The Lowitja Institute is Australia’s national institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, named in honour of their Patron, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG. They are, “an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation working for the health and wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples through high impact quality research, knowledge translation, and by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.” 

Top 10 (+10!) Indigenous research resources - Girra Maa Indigenous Health based at University of Technology Sydney, has collated 10 (+ 10!) Indigenous research resources – articles, reports and video clips – for staff, students and anyone interested in Indigenous research to use and enjoy.

Cultural Safety by Irihapeti Merenia Ramsden

Aboriginal History Archive (AHA) - Victoria University researchers are building an extensive archive of resources, “that alters the current colonial bias of how Australia's Aboriginal political history is understood.” It comprises thousands of rare photos, videos, campaign ephemera, press clippings, and manuscripts that document the country’s Black Power and self-determination movements, and other key events.

Koori Web- A website built and run by veteran Aboriginal rights activist, writer, actor and historian Dr. Gary Foley. It includes archives, articles, special features as well as film and audio archival material. 

3. Watch 

NITV - National Indigenous Television is a free to air TV channel that broadcasts programming produced largely by Indigenous Australians. It offers brilliant news programs, as well as films and documentaries, including First Australians, Lousy Little Sixpence, plus loads more! 

Living Black - One of Australia's longest running Indigenous current affairs programs, “Living Black provides timely, intelligent and comprehensive coverage of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.”

indigiTUBE -  indigiTUBE is a national online media platform by and for First Nations people, preserving language and culture for future generations. It’s a project of First Nations Media Australia

In My Blood it Runs - This is a documentary on ten-year-old Dujuan, a child-healer, a good hunter and a speaker of three languages. He shares his wisdom of history and the complex world around him. Available now on ABC iview

4. Listen 

Indigenous Health MedTalk - This podcast covers topics related, “to women and men's health, family health and wellness, mental health, sexual health and community innovations related to and affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” It’s hosted by Dr Danielle Arabena,  the Medical Educator for the Indigenous Health Training Team at General Practice Training Queensland. 

Bla.c.k Medicine -  is a podcast for Indigenous peoples by Indigenous peoples. It will talk about broader health, medicines, common issues we face, ...

Let's Talk on 98.9fm - A one hour show dedicated to all issues relevant to First Nations people.

Blacademia - A podcast of yarns with First Nations/Indigenous academics. 

Pretty For An Aboriginal (archived)- Nakkiah Lui and Miranda Tapsell teamed up to create a series that traverses pop culture, politics and society to have the conversations that, “the country finds it difficult to talk about.” 

Still Here (archived episodes)- Is a weekly radio program available online at 3RRR that is hosted by Neil Morris and Paul Gorrie. It showcases songs both old and new as well as interviews with the community. 

Bunjil First- Is a weekly radio program hosted by Robbie Thorpe on 3CR Community Radio. It’s “a historically informed, critical analysis of Aboriginal affairs and the ongoing political movement for land rights, treaty, sovereignty and the cessation of genocide.” 

5. Read

IndigenousX - Is a digital media platform which publishes news and information so that Indigenous people can share their knowledge, opinions and experiences with a wide audience across the world. One of their media partnerships includes a collaboration between Indigenous X and The Guardian

Some great books to read include: 

Another Day in the Colony by Prof Chelsea Watego

Growing up Aborginal in Australia, edited by Anita Heiss

Black is the New White, by Nakkiah Lui 

Terra Nullius, by Claire Coleman 

Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella, by Jack Charles with Namilla Benson

Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music, by Archie Roach 

BlakWork, by Alison Whittaker 

Carpentaria, by Alexis Wright.

Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe 

Decolonizing Solidarity- Dilemmas and Directions for Supporters of Indigenous Struggles, by Clare Land 

 

Check out our podcast: Achieving Equity in First Nations Health

 

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