scholarly journals Introduction

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Mackinlay ◽  
Katelyn Barney
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Pedagogical Approaches

Indigenous Australian studies, also called Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, is an expanding discipline in universities across Australia (Nakata, 2004). As a discipline in its own right, Indigenous Australian studies plays an important role in teaching students about Australia's colonial history and benefits both non-Indigenous and Indigenous students by teaching them about Australia's rich and shared cultural heritage (Craven, 1999, pp. 23–25). Such teaching and learning seeks to actively discuss and deconstruct historical and contemporary entanglements between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and, in doing so, help build better working relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. As educators in this discipline, it is important for us to find pedagogical approaches which make space for these topics to be accessed, understood, discussed and engaged with in meaningful ways.

What's in a Name?: Exploring the Implications of Eurocentric (Re)naming Practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nomenclature in Australian Education Practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Weuffen ◽  
Fred Cahir ◽  
Margaret Zeegers
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Australian Curriculum ◽  
Curriculum Assessment ◽  
Australian Education ◽  
History Of ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Naming Practices

The aim of this article is to provide teachers with knowledge of ways in which Eurocentric (re)naming practices inform contemporary pedagogical approaches, while providing understandings pertinent to the mandatory inclusion of the cross-curriculum priority area: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, 2015). While we have focused on Eurocentric naming practices, we have also been conscious of names used by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders to name themselves and others and as non-Indigenous Australians we acknowledge that it is not our place to explore these in detail, or offer alternatives. In this article, we have explored the history of nomenclature as it relates to original inhabitants, the connotations of contemporary (re)naming practices in Australian education and discussed the importance of drawing on cultural protocols and engaging local communities for teaching and learning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. It is anticipated that discussions arising from this article may open up spaces where teachers may think about ways in which they approach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

scholarly journals Listening to and learning from the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to facilitate success

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Barney
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
The University ◽  
Tertiary Study

Drawing on interviews with current and past Indigenous undergraduate students at the University of Queensland (UQ), this paper reports on findings from a project that explored the experiences of Indigenous Australian students and identified inhibitors and success factors for students. It also discusses one of the outcomes of the project and planned future developments that aim to provide better support for Indigenous Australian students at UQ. By knowing and acting upon the kinds of mechanisms that can assist Indigenous students, their experiences of tertiary study can be enhanced, leading to more students enrolling in and completing university study.

Another Country: Non-Aboriginal Tertiary Students' Perceptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
English Language ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Bachelor Of Arts ◽  
Indigenous Perspectives ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The University

Even though Aboriginal people are from Australia it does not mean they speak the English language (non-Aboriginal tertiary student).Jo Lampert's (1996) research discussed in her articleIndigenous Australian perspectives in teaching at the University of Queenslandspeaks volumes about the challenges of attempting to make university curricula inclusive of Indigenous Australian perspectives. She documents the often ambivalent attitudes of academics towards opening up the curriculum to Indigenous Australians. The research discussed here seeks to add to our understanding of this process, focussing this time on the response of students to the introduction of Australian Indigenous perspectives into a single unit within a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching program. The impetus to reflect on the process came with the shock of reading student papers, written at the end of the unit, and finding that effective communication about the educational needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples did not seem to have taken place, making a closer analysis of the teaching/learning process imperative. This investigation will address questions abouthowuniversities can communicate effectively about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

scholarly journals Interventions to improve health literacy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Nash ◽  
Amit Arora
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience poorer health outcomes than other population groups. While data specific to Indigenous Australians are scarce, a known social health literacy gradient exists linking low health literacy and poor health outcomes within many minority populations. Improving health literacy among Indigenous Australians is an important way to support self-determination and autonomy in both individuals and communities, by enhancing knowledge and improving health outcomes. This review aims to rigorously examine the effectiveness of health literacy interventions targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Methods A systematic review across six databases (The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis and Web of Science) was performed for publications evaluating interventions to improve health literacy among Indigenous Australian adults using search terms identifying a range of related outcomes. Results Of 824 articles retrieved, a total of five studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. The included studies evaluated the implementation of workshops, structured exercise classes and the provision of discounted fruit and vegetables to improve nutrition, modify risk factors for chronic diseases, and improve oral health literacy. All interventions reported statistically significant improvement in at least one measured outcome. However, there was limited involvement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members in the research process and participant retention rates were sub-optimal. Conclusion There is limited evidence on interventions to improve health literacy in Indigenous Australian adults. Participation in interventions was often suboptimal and loss to follow-up was high. Future studies co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members are needed to improve health literacy in this population.

scholarly journals Problems in diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in remote Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Gary David Lum
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Population ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Torres Strait

Times are changing. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Strategy 2005-2008 provides current commentary on the problems facing Australia?s Indigenous population. While the rates of sexually transmitted infections have always been higher in Indigenous Australians, there is some evidence of increasing rates of HIV infection. The rate of Chlamydia infection in non-Indigenous Australians has doubled between 1999 and 2003, while the rate of infection in some populations of Indigenous Australians has moved from 658 per 100 000 to 1140 per 100 000 population. Indigenous Australians are forty-times more likely to be infected with the gonococcus than non-Indigenous Australian men and women. It should not be surprising that Indigenous Australian rates of syphilis are unacceptably high at ~250 per 100 000 population and almost non-existent in the non-Indigenous population.

scholarly journals Alcohol consumption and dependence is linked to the extent that people experience need satisfaction while drinking alcohol in two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Conigrave ◽  
Emma L. Bradshaw ◽  
Katherine M. Conigrave ◽  
Richard M. Ryan ◽  
Scott Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background Unhealthy alcohol use is a key concern for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (‘Indigenous Australian’) communities. Due to systematic disadvantage and inter-generational trauma, Indigenous Australians may be less likely to have satisfied basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). When people are need-thwarted, they may engage in compensatory behaviours to feel better in the short-term. We explore the relationship between perceived basic psychological needs satisfaction and alcohol consumption use among Indigenous Australians. Better understanding the functions that alcohol may play for some Indigenous Australian drinkers may aid communities, clinicians, and policy makers in improving programs for reducing drinking-related harms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey of Indigenous Australians (aged 16 years or older) living in two South Australian communities. Participants were eligible if they had consumed any alcohol in the past 12 months. Spearman correlations and linear regressions were used to determine if feeling more autonomous, competent, and related to others (need satisfied) while drinking, was linked to alcohol consumption and dependence. Results Controlling for participant demographics, reporting feeling need satisfied while drinking was linked to drinking more alcohol per day, reporting more frequent symptoms of alcohol dependence, spending more money on alcohol, and scoring higher on the AUDIT-C. Conclusions Unhealthy drinking may partly stem from attempts to satisfy basic psychological needs. Programs which support Indigenous Australians to meet basic psychological needs could reduce attempts to meet psychological needs through alcohol consumption.

Aboriginal and Islander Tertiary Aspirations Program

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Tanyah Nasir
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Torres Strait

The Aboriginal and Islander Tertiary Aspiration Program (AITAP) aims to enhance the attendance and academic achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students during their secondary school years to increase the number of indigenous Australians successfully completing Year 12 studies. AITAP encourages them to nurture aspirations involving tertiary education while maintaining their pride in their cultural heritage. AITAP, which has been operating in NT schools since 1994, is about raising the level of expectations and aspirations of students, parents and teachers, and encouraging positive attitudes towards education and towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smokers Exposed to Anti-smoking Marketing in South Australia

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Trigg ◽  
Damien Shen ◽  
Julia Morris ◽  
Jason Blunt
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Smoking Behaviour ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Torres Strait

Background: Smoking is disproportionately prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian peoples, with 39% of Indigenous Australians aged over 15 years smoking daily. Efforts to reduce this high prevalence include culturally focused media campaigns, designed using community consultation, highlighting the need to determine how such health messaging is received by smokers. This study aimed to examine Indigenous Australian smokers’ reactions to a culturally focused anti-smoking mass media campaign—'Give up Smokes’. Methods: Intercept surveying across health services and events used recorded demographics, smoking status, quit attempts, smoking health effects, anti-smoking campaign recall, social support, and campaign reactions. Participants rated campaign images in five domains: 1) whether it made them stop and think; 2) personal relevance; 3) believability of design and message; 4) prompting concern about smoking; and 5) motivation towards quitting. Cluster analysis was used to segment smoker types. Results: Smoking health effects knowledge was high, and did not differ by quit readiness, attempts, or social support. Cessation support access was higher among those with greater readiness to quit. Social smoking behaviour and confidence to support others quitting did not significantly differ between participants, however importance of others quitting did. Quit readiness, attempts, and social support were associated with reaction to campaign design, but not message recall. Four types of smokers were described, using smoking characteristics, who differed in campaign message reactions. Conclusions: Strategies using campaign-exposed smoker characteristics to inform culturally focused health promotion are discussed in relation to four identified types of smokers.

scholarly journals Impact of racism and discrimination on the physical and mental health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia: a protocol for a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila A Kairuz ◽  
Lisa M Casanelia ◽  
Keziah Bennett-Brook ◽  
Julieann Coombes ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background Racism is increasingly recognised internationally as a key factor contributing to health disparities. A comprehensive body of strong research from international authors has reported negative associations between racism and health outcomes. In Australia, although the literature is more limited, available findings follow global trends. Australia has an identified health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, and despite efforts to bridge this gap, health inequities continue to exist. This scoping review aims to assess, analyse and synthesise the relationship between racism and discrimination on the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia.Method This is the study protocol for a scoping review. A systematic search will be conducted using five electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and the Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. The database search will include studies published between 2000 and 2020. Reference lists of the included articles will be searched. Outcome measures will include physical and mental health components including chronic conditions, depression and anxiety, psychological distress, social and emotional difficulties, suicide and health-related outcomes such as wellbeing and life satisfaction. Duplications will be removed, and titles and abstracts will be reviewed to select studies. Full-text screening of preselected studies will be performed by four reviewers independently, to select studies according to inclusion criteria. Included studies will be appraised for quality using appropriate tools tailored for each study design. Data will be extracted, and study findings and characteristics synthesised in a narrative summary. Discussion Our scoping review will synthesise the evidence on the impacts of racism and discrimination in relation to the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia. These findings could guide future health interventions by addressing the exposure of racism and racial discrimination in order to reduce health disparity. It is anticipated the findings to be of interest to policymakers, researchers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community health organisations and other stakeholders interested in optimising public health interventions for and in partnership with Aboriginal and Strait Torres Islander communities of Australia. Scoping review registration The protocol for this review has been registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO). The registration ID is CRD42020186193.

scholarly journals NEWS: UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Participation Project

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Monitoring Strategies ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
The University

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at The University of Queensland has identified the need to develop detailed monitoring strategies to gauge the participation and academic performance of indigenous students at The University of Queensland. To reach this goal the Unit has launched a project which aims to investigate the participation and post-study destinations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

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