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

Moving Forward TogetherJanet KellyHealth to Aboriginal peoples is a matter of determining all aspects oftheir life, including control over their physical environment, of dignity, ofcommunity self-esteem, and of justice. It is not merely a matter of theprovision of doctors, hospitals, medicines of the absence of disease andincapacity (National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health Council2004)The Strategy went on to emphasise the importance of housing, health,employment and education. As a result of this strategy and increased funding,the number of Aboriginal controlled and Aboriginal focused health servicesincreased during the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in rural and remote areas.However, issues related to resource limitations, staff availability and skills miximpacted on the effectiveness of health care practice (Baum 2008).The 1990s were a time of highs and lows for Aboriginal people in relation toAboriginal and health policies. Many significant decisions and documents werereleased and impacted on Aboriginal people’s health, well-being and healingjourneys. The Wik decision regarding land rights was passed, giving hope ofincreased land ownership, but then the 10 Point Plan was passed that limitedNative Title rights and negated many of the potential gains (Eckermann et al.2006; Fricke 2001). In 1991 the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths inCustody Report was released, with significant recommendations for changewithin health, education, welfare and legal services. In 1992 the Council forAboriginal Reconciliation began, and many health professionals andcommunity peoples attended study circles and activities in the interests ofimproved understanding and relationships.In 1997, the Bringing them home report was released(Human Rights and EqualOpportunities Commission (HROEC) 2005) describing the experiences ofAboriginal people who were part of the Stolen Generation, separated from theirfamilies as children as part of race based government policies. For many, thiswas the first time their experiences were publicly told and acknowledged, animportant step in knowledge sharing and healing needed to counter colonisingactions. In 1998 (a year later), the National Sorry Day was initiated toacknowledge the wrong that had been done to Indigenous families so that thehealing could begin (National Sorry Day Committee 2008). Collectively these77