Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2022) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population summary. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/australia-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-population-summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2021) Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australia-at-a-glance/contents/diverse-groups-of-older-australians/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2021) Aged Care for Indigenous Australians. Available from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/aged-care-for-indigenous-australians
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2022) Indigenous health and wellbeing. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/indigenous-health-and-wellbeing
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is Australia’s national institution focussed on the diverse history, cultures and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Further information is available from: https://aiatsis.gov.au/. Of particular interest may be:
- Australia’s First Peoples (2022). Available from: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/australias-first-peoples
- Map of Indigenous Australia. Available from: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2019) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Statistics about long-term health conditions, disability, lifestyle factors, physical harm and use of health services. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-survey/latest-release
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2019) Insights into vulnerabilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over—in brief. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/vulnerabilities-aboriginal-torres-strait-50-over/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2021) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over: updated analyses for 2018-19. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/indigenous-stolen-generations-50-and-over/contents/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2014) Data about and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/0ab5d2ab-4a08-4c88-a1c3-9ef4bc569ae2/ctgc-ip10.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2000) National best practice guidelines for collecting Indigenous status in health data sets. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ad54c4a7-4e03-4604-a0f3-ccb13c6d4260/11052.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2019) Sources of data for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with Disability. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4431.0.55.004
Department of Health (DH) (2021) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021 – 2031. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-plan-2021-2031
Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) (2020) National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Available from: https://coalitionofpeaks.org.au/new-national-agreement-on-closing-the-gap
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) (2017) National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards: User guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Available from: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/nsqhs-standards-user-guide-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health
Australian Government (2017) National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017 – 2023. Available from: https://www.niaa.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mhsewb-framework_0.pdf
NeuRA. Aboriginal Ageing, Health Information. Available from: https://www.neura.edu.au/health/aboriginal-ageing/
Smith, K. & Gilchris, L. (2017) Well-being of older Aboriginal Australians: The importance of ‘keeping spirit strong’. Australasian Journal of Ageing, Indigenous Ageing Research Feature 36(2)112-113. Available from: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/system/files/2020-06/RCD.9999.0206.0001.pdf
Aged care services and support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
My Aged Care. Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Available from: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people.
Department of Health and Aged Care. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) program. The NATSIFAC program is designed to provide culturally appropriate aged care to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The service providers in this program deliver a mix of aged care services, mainly in rural and remote areas. Further information is available from: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-flexible-aged-care-program
Australian Government. Carer Gateway: Key links for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. Available from: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/first-nations
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing / Ageing and Aged Care Council (NATSIAACC) is the new national peak body that provides advocacy and advice to the Australian Government on aged care policies, programs and services that meet evidence-based needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Further information is available from: https://www.natsiaacc.org.au
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national leadership body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia. Further information is available from: https://www.naccho.org.au/
The Coalition of Peaks is a representative body of over seventy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations and members. Further information is available from: https://coalitionofpeaks.org.au/
For further information about the members of the Coalition of Peaks, go to: https://coalitionofpeaks.org.au/our-members
First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN) is a national human rights organisation of and for Australia’s First Peoples with disability, their families and communities. Further information is available from: https://fpdn.org.au/
BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation works to strengthen visibility of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+ community. Further information is available from: https://blaq.org.au/about-blaq/
ACON. Trans Hub: Trans Mob. Available from: https://www.transhub.org.au/trans-mob
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) Dr Stephen Kerry (2017) MindOUT Webinar – Transgender People in the Northern Territory. Available from: https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/transgender_people_in_the_northern_territory
Jones, J (2017) Sistergirls and Brotherboys. The Reality of Being Black and Trans in Australia. Available from: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/being-black-trans-australia/159471
Delivering safe and inclusive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Department of Health (DH) (2019) Actions to Support Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (includes guides for consumers and Aged Care Providers). Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/aged-care-diversity-framework-action-plans
WellMob brings together online resources for people working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Further information is available from: https://wellmob.org.au/ Of particular interest may be:
- The journey of well being (2022) A short animated video showing the impact of colonisation on Indigenous people’s health and wellbeing. Available from: https://wellmob.org.au/e-health-topics/training-resources/45235/?title=The+journey+of+well+being&contentid=45235_1
- Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) explainer video (2019) Explains the Indigenous concept of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). It is designed for non-Indigenous health workers to understand the factors that impact Aboriginal peoples’ SEWB. Available from: https://vimeo.com/368715660
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. Further information and an extensive list of resources are available from their website: https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/about/
The University of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Ageing Well Research team have developed a number of free resources to guide effective assessment and service delivery with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These are available from their website: https://www.iawr.com.au/ These include:
- Good Spirit Good Life assessment and recommendations package supports holistic assessment with older Aboriginal people. It also includes practical recommendations about opportunities to improve the wellbeing of older Aboriginal people.
- Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) resources include validated cognitive screening tools and practice guides.
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention leadership body. It is governed and controlled by Indigenous experts and peak bodies working in these areas, promoting collective excellence in mental health care. Further information are resources are available from: https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/
Dudegeon, P., Milroy, H. & Walker, R. (Eds.). (2014) Working Together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. Available from:
https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/documents/aboriginal-health/working-together-second-edition/working-together-aboriginal-and-wellbeing-2014.pdf
Australian Association of Gerontology and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (2019) Integrated Culturally Sensitive Services for Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: Practical Solution or Pipe Dream? Available here.
Queensland Community Care Network (2014) Voices from the Armchair Aunty Pamela Mam for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (short video). Available from: https://youtu.be/jtu4Kuu2K_Q
Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (TIMHWB) brings cultural ways and healing into mental health and wellbeing systems to better serve the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Further information is available from their website: https://timhwb.org.au/ Their resources include:
- Fact sheet: Social and emotional wellbeing (2021a). Available from: https://timhwb.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SEWB-fact-sheet.pdf
- Fact Sheet: The Dance of Life (2021b). Available from: https://timhwb.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dance-Of-Life-Fact-Sheet-FinalDraft2-LightOchre_for-online.pdf
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Welcome to Country. Available from: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/welcome-country
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Women’s Health Goulburn North East. Making Two World’s Work is an initiative that aims to build the capacity of the health and community sector to work effectively and respectfully with Aboriginal communities. Further information and resources are available from: https://www.whealth.com.au/resources/#making-two-worlds-work
Evolve communities provide a range of simple, practical ideas and information about working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These are available on their website: https://www.evolves.com.au/. Of particular interest may be:
- Ask an Ally: https://www.evolves.com.au/ask-an-ally/
- Ask Aunty: https://www.evolves.com.au/ask-aunty/
- Cultural Awareness Quiz: https://pages.evolves.com.au/quiz
NSW Ministry of Health (2019) Communicating Positively: A Guide to Appropriate Aboriginal Terminology. Available from: https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=GL2019_008
Dementia Support Australia (2022) First Nations Language Guide. Available from: https://www.dementia.com.au/resource-hub/first-nations-language-guide
Stolen Generations
The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that provides a platform to amplify the voices and lived experience of Stolen Generations survivors and their families. They work with communities to create a place of safety, providing an environment for Stolen Generations survivors and their families to speak for themselves, tell their own stories, and be in charge of their own healing. They also promote trauma-aware, healing-informed practice to help government, policymakers, and workforces understand their role in intergenerational healing. For more information, go to: www.healingfoundation.org.au Some key resources include:
- Who are the Stolen Generations? Available from: https://healingfoundation.org.au/resources/who-are-the-stolen-generations
- Make Healing Happen: it’s time to act (2021) Available from: https://healingfoundation.org.au//app/uploads/2021/05/Make-Healing-Happen-Report-FINAL-May-2021.pdf
- Bringing Them Home 20 Years On: an action plan for healing (2017) Available from: https://healingfoundation.org.au/app/uploads/2017/05/Bringing-Them-Home-20-years-on-FINAL-SCREEN-1.pdf
- The Healing Foundation has created the online Healing portal for Indigenous healing resources. Available from: https://healingfoundation.org.au/healing-portal/
- The Healing portal includes information and a range of resources that focus on trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These are available from: https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-topics/healing/trauma/
- Coping with the impacts of trauma (2019) https://healingfoundation.org.au//app/uploads/2019/02/Coping-with-the-Impacts-of-Trauma-Brochure.-Aer.-WEB.pdf
- Intergenerational Trauma Animation (2018) video. Available here.
- Aged Care Fact Sheet (2019). Available from: https://healingfoundation.org.au//app/uploads/2019/12/Snapshot_Action_Plan_for_Healing_Aged_Care_Services_WEB.pdf
Bringing them Home. Stories of the stolen generations. Available from: https://bth.humanrights.gov.au/
Rudd, K. (13 February 2008) Formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Further information is available from: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/national-apology
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2021) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over: updated analyses for 2018–19. Available at: www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/indigenous-stolen-generations-50-and-over/contents/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2018) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/stolen-generation-aged-50-and-over/related-material
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2018) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations and descendants: number, demographic characteristics and selected outcomes. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/a6c077c3-e1af-40de-847f-e8a3e3456c44/aihw-ihw-195.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Creating safe and inclusive environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Sarra, R. (2021) Know Your Country logo and resources. Created by First Nations Artist Rachael Sarra from Goreng Goreng Country for the Know Your Country campaign. Available from: https://www.rachaelsarra.com/collection/printable-acknowledgement
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and Women’s Health Goulburn North East. Making Two World’s Work is an initiative that aims to build the capacity of the health and community sector to work effectively and respectfully with Aboriginal communities. Further information and resources are available from: https://www.whealth.com.au/resources/#making-two-worlds-work
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) (2014) Helping your organisation to create a welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Available from: https://nwmphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/helping-your-organisation-to-create-a-welcoming-environment-for.pdf
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) (2019) Culturally Safe Workforce Models for Rural and Remote Indigenous Organisations (summary). Available from: https://sahmri.blob.core.windows.net/communications/sahmriresearch.org/cultural_safety_for_older_aboriginal_people_summary.pdf
Inner North West Primary Care Partnership (INWPCP) and The Long Walk (2019) From symbols to systems: Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural security in mainstream organisations. Available from: https://www.thecentrehki.com.au/resource/from-symbol-to-systems/
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) publishes a Map of Indigenous Australia. The map and associated resources are available from: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia
Collecting data about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2014) Indigenous Status Standard. Available here.
Kukutai, T. and Taylor, J. (Eds.) (2016) Indigenous data sovereignty: Towards an agenda (Vol 38). ANU Press. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1q1crgf
United Nations (2007) United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. Available from: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html
Inner North West Primary Care Partnership (INWPCP) (2014) Asking the question: are you (or is the person) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin? Training resource. Available from: https://nwmphn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NWIH_AskingTheQuestions_FINAL_170914-1.pdf
