Moving Forward Together in Aboriginal Women's Health: - Theses ...

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyBy tapping into culture, tapping into cultural ways, telling the older oneswho will pass it onto the younger ones, practisingpositive relationships,communication and connecting with each other, having a preparedness toshare knowledge and space (HS I4).The five co-researchers were all interested in looking at ways that peer supportcould be incorporated within heath/ education programs. Three of the coresearcherssubsequently became actively involved as co-researchers in jointhealth/education programs over the next year.Collaborative action between health and educationsectorsTaking actionWhen health and education staff members met to discuss programs they couldimplement together, they agreed pragmatically that one event per school term(a period of three months) was possible with the resources available.Term 1, 2006 - Aboriginal women’s health dayThe Aboriginal health team were preparing for the first Aboriginal Women’sHealth Day in February 2006 and invited the young Aboriginal women toattend. One of the Aboriginal health co-researchers consulted the AboriginalEducation Worker about what the young women would be most interested in.The Aboriginal Education Worker in turn spoke with the young women andsaid they were happy to come along and see what was available. The women’shealth day was the first time that health staff, education staff, young Aboriginalwomen and their friends met for the first time. As discussed by education coresearcherspreviously, the young Aboriginal women were encouraged to bringsome of their non-Aboriginal friends to the event.As discussed in Collaboration Area Two, the Aboriginal Women’s Health Dayprovided a culturally safe, women only, intergenerational space whereAboriginal women (and their friends) could learn and exchange informationabout women’s health and well-being. The young women became involved inhealth promotion and fun activities, and met with many community members.280