Aboriginal Student Empowerment through the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the University of New England

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann le Roux ◽  
Myra J. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Social Indicator ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Student Empowerment ◽  
Current Position ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Popular Imagination ◽  
Cultural Image ◽  
The University

Our position still seems to me to be a somewhat uncertain one. There is a national ambivalence towards us. Numerically we are not very strong — just 1.6 per cent of the population; 265,000 people as counted at the 1991 Census. It could be said, however, that we get more than our share of this nation's attention. There are good and bad aspects to this. In the popular imagination, there are two basic images of Indigenous Australians: one I would term a ‘cultural’ image, that accepts us for our uniqueness, our ‘Australianness’; the other image is the ramshackle world of poverty, deprivation and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the most disadvantaged group in the country. Whatever social indicator you use — health status, education, employment, contact with the law — we are at the bottom of the heap. This is such a commonplace statement of fact that it is in danger of becoming a piece of empty rhetoric.These are the views on the current position of Aboriginal disempowerment in Australian society, expressed by Lois O'Donoghue (1995: 5).

scholarly journals Indigenous Australians with autism: A scoping review

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1031-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Bailey ◽  
Joanne Arciuli
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Provider Perspectives ◽  
Torres Strait

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with autism spectrum disorder, used interchangeably with the term autism, are among the most marginalised people in Australian society. This review maps out existing and emerging themes in the research involving Indigenous Australians with autism based on a search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature. Our search identified 1457 potentially relevant publications. Of these, 19 publications met our inclusion criteria and focused on autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and prevalence, as well as carer and service provider perspectives on autism, and autism support services for Indigenous Australians. We were able to access 17 publications: 12 journal articles, 3 conference presentations, 1 resource booklet and 1 dissertation. Findings suggest similar prevalence rates for autism among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, although some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with autism may not receive a diagnosis or may be misdiagnosed. Research on the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers is discussed in relation to Indigenous perspectives on autism, as well as barriers and strategies to improve access to diagnosis and support services. Although not the focus of our review, we briefly mention studies of Indigenous people with autism in countries other than Australia. Lay Abstract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with developmental disabilities such as autism are among the most marginalised people in Australian society. We reviewed research involving Indigenous Australians with autism based on a search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature. Our search identified 1457 potentially relevant publications. Of these, 19 publications were in line with our main areas of inquiry: autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and prevalence, carer and service provider perspectives on autism, and autism support services. These included 12 journal publications, 3 conference presentations, 1 resource booklet and 1 thesis dissertation. Findings suggest similar prevalence rates for autism among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, although some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with autism may not receive a diagnosis or may be misdiagnosed. We also discuss research on the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers, as well as barriers and strategies for improving access to diagnosis and support services.

Finding Space and Place: Using Narrative and Imagery to Support Successful Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Enabling Programs

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Andersen ◽  
Ann Edwards ◽  
Brigette Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Word Meaning ◽  
Space And Place ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Entry Level ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Low Expectations ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
The University

‘Riawunna’ is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘a place of learning’ for Aboriginal people, from entry level to tertiary studies, at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and operates on Hobart, Launceston and Burnie campuses. The Riawunna Centre was established to encourage Aboriginal people to aspire to higher levels of education, and to support them to be successful in their chosen course of study. One strategy developed to support the participation, retention and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is the Murina program. During the four year period between 2010 and 2013 every student at UTAS who graduated from the Murina program and chosen to enrol in undergraduate studies has been successful in completing their courses. One of the tools used to achieve this result is the strong use of narrative and images in our teaching. This whole-person approach to teaching resonates culturally with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but is also applicable to any student of any culture, especially those who come to university tentatively and with low expectations of what they can achieve.

scholarly journals Disparity in Physical and Mental Multimorbidity Between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians: implications for Equity in Health Service use and Work Productivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Carman ◽  
Marie Ishida ◽  
Justin S Trounson ◽  
Kanya Anindya ◽  
Grace Sum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Health Service Use ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Care Costs

Abstract Background: Multimorbidity, the presence of ≥2 chronic conditions, is a major contributor to health inequalities, with significant impact on health care costs. This study aims to examine the differences in chronic physical and mental health multimorbidity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians, and the effect of multimorbidity on health service use and work productivity amongst Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians.Methods: This study conducted cross-sectional analyses of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Wave 17, examining a nationally representative sample of 16,749 respondents aged 18 years and above. We applied multivariable linear and logistic regressions to examine the association between multimorbidity and self-reported health, health service use, and employment productivity.Results: Aboriginal respondents reported a higher prevalence of multimorbidity (24.2%) compared to non-Indigenous Australians (20.7%), and the prevalence of co-existing mental and physical multimorbidity was almost twice as high (16.1% vs 8.1%). Multimorbidity was associated with higher health service use (any overnight admission: AOR 1.52), reduced employment productivity (days sick leave: coef. 0.25), and lower perceived health status (SF6D score: coef. -0.04). These associations are similar in both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous populations.Conclusions: Multimorbidity prevalence was greater among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders compared to the non-Indigenous population, likely driven by the greater prevalence of mental health conditions reported by the Aboriginal sample. Strategies for better management of mental and physical multimorbidity would not only reduce health care costs among those affected but may contribute to a reduction in health inequalities in Australia.

Learning Preferences of Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students in the Veterinary Program

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Torres Strait

In 1989, a Professional Education Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (PEPA) was established at Murdoch University in Western Australia, to encourage the participation, retention and success of Indigenous Australians in studying for and qualifying as Veterinarians.

Indigenous Australian Perspectives in Teaching at The University of Queensland

1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Lampert
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Royal Commission ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Native Title ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Equity In Access ◽  
The University ◽  
Deaths In Custody ◽  
Considerable Pressure

The goals of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (AEP), the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the broader implications of the High Court's Native Title decision place considerable pressure on the higher education system to move rapidly to achieve equity in access, participation and outcomes for Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.

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.

Embedding cultural conceptualization within an adopted language

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-169
Author(s):  
Ian G. Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Heritage Languages ◽  
Cross Cultural Communication ◽  
Reference Orientation ◽  
Contact Language ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Cultural Linguistics

Abstract Although a minority of Indigenous Australians still use their heritage languages, English has been largely adopted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as their medium of communication both within and beyond their communities. In the period since English first reached Australia in 1788, a dialect has emerged, drawing on English, contact language, and Indigenous language sources, to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers to maintain cultural conceptual continuity while communicating in a dramatically changed environment. In the perspective of Cultural Linguistics it can be shown that many of the modifications in the lexicon, grammar, phonology, and discourse of English as used by Indigenous Australians can be related to cultural/conceptual principles, of which five are illustrated here: interconnectedness, embodiment, group reference, orientation to motion, and orientation to observation. This is demonstrated here with data from varieties of Aboriginal English spoken in diverse Australian locations.1 The understanding of Aboriginal English this gives has implications for cross-cultural communication and for education.

scholarly journals Reducing smoking in Australia: how to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-54
Author(s):  
Martin Williams ◽  
John Allan
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
History Of ◽  
Smoking Patterns ◽  
Torres Strait

Issue addressed: Australia has succeeded in lowering the overall prevalence of tobacco smoking in the last four decades and has enjoyed a worldwide reputation for innovative policy. However, this success has not extended to Indigenous Australians. Method: Narrative review and critique of literature from government, public health, health promotion, marketing and communication on smoking cessation in Australia. Main points: We first consider the history of government anti-smoking measures including legislation and communication initiatives including advertising and sponsorship bans, health warnings and ‘no smoking’ rules affecting anti-smoking norms, culminating in the banning of branding and the advent of tobacco plain packaging. We also review the effects of excise increases and smoking cessation aids such as quit lines and nicotine replacement therapy. For each type of intervention, both population-wide and those specifically directed at Indigenous people, we consider the probable reasons for the failure to reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or alter their smoking patterns, and make suggestions for improvements in interventions and their evaluation. Conclusion: The history of anti-smoking initiatives in Australia suggests that community-based health initiatives are likely to be more effective in addressing Indigenous people and helping smokers to quit.  

scholarly journals A National Priority: Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People With Cancer Through an Optimal Care Pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 243s-243s
Author(s):  
J. Chynoweth ◽  
B. Daveson ◽  
M. McCambridge ◽  
J. Coutts ◽  
H. Zorbas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Leadership Group ◽  
Torres Strait

Background and context: Cancer survival rates in Australia are among the best in the world, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (indigenous) people continue to experience disparities in the distribution and burden of cancer, and unwarranted variations in outcomes. Indigenous Australians are 40% more likely to die of cancer than non-Indigenous Australians. Cancer Australia developed the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework (the framework), which identified 7 national priorities to address disparities in cancer outcomes experienced by indigenous Australians. An ongoing collaboration with indigenous Australians was integral to developing this shared agenda. Priority 5 in the framework highlights the need to ensure indigenous Australians affected by cancer receive optimal and culturally appropriate treatment, services, and supportive and palliative care. Aim: To improve cancer outcomes for indigenous Australians through the development and national endorsement of a population-specific Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) to guide the delivery of consistent, safe, high-quality, culturally appropriate and evidence-based care. Strategy/Tactics: Cancer Australia formed a partnership with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to address Priority 5 and develop the OCP. The approach to development was underpinned by Cancer Australia's Model of Engagement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and guided by the national Leadership Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Control (Leadership Group). Program/Policy process: Cancer Australia, in collaboration with DHHS: • reviewed experiences of care and the framework's comprehensive evidence base • developed a draft OCP to complement tumor-specific pathways • facilitated an Expert Working Group, comprising indigenous health sector leaders and consumers to refine and validate the draft OCP • undertook national public consultation, including with the indigenous health sector and community, health professionals and professional colleges • received an indication of support to proceed to endorsement from the Leadership Group. Outcomes: The first population-specific OCP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer received national endorsement. It will guide the delivery of consistent, safe, high-quality, culturally appropriate and evidence-based care. What was learned: Key elements of optimal care include: addressing the cultural appropriateness of the healthcare environment; improving cross-cultural communication; relationship building with local community; optimizing health literacy; recognition of men's and women's business; and the need to use culturally appropriate resources. The national priority in the framework informed and unified high-level direction, which was integral to effective OCP development and endorsement. The evidence-based, step-wise development approach contributed to its relevance, utility and quality.

scholarly journals Who knows best? Paternalism in Aboriginal policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Jeffes
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Torres Strait

Through colonial eyes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are seen as subjects void of agency. They have been treated by the Australian polity as though they are in great need of saving. This paper explores the ways in which well-intended policies and initiatives implemented by successive governments have failed to recognise and support Indigenous Australians as functioning sovereign beings.

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