Indigenous Participation
Background
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people (the Indigenous People of Australia) bear a disproportionate burden of Australia's disease and illness.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people who live in rural & remote areas are further disadvantaged by their remoteness. The Mount Isa Centre for
Rural & Remote Health (MICRRH) through leadership in education, research and workforce development, is making a significant contribution to the work
being undertaken to address this health crisis. Our activities are underpinned by the principle that Indigenous Community engagement is critical to
improving Indigenous Health. The challenge for our centre is to ensure that Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People are active participants in
our programs, whether it be as representative of the community, staff or students.
Through our activities MICRRH aims to:
- Increase engagement with Indigenous communities through establishing an Indigenous health consultative committee.
- Increase local Indigenous enrolments across all programs.
- Maintaining links with Indigenous Health workers.
- Collaborate on Indigenous health research through supporting community organisations undertaking research and assisting with program evaluation.
- Developing a code of behaviour for Indigenous engagement based on cultural awareness and community protocols.
- Utilise the biennial Mount Isa Remote Health Conference as a forum for engaging with Indigenous communities through encouraging and supporting their involvement in the event.
Community Engagement
MICRRH actively celebrates NAIDOC Week by hosting the Flag Raising Ceremony each year since 2001. Staff from MICRRH also serve on the Mount Isa NAIDOC committee.
Aboriginal Health Worker Program
Currently unavailable. It is envisaged that a new program will be operational mid-2007.Cultural Awareness
MICRRH provides a one-day Cultural Awareness Program to Medical, Allied Health & Nursing students. Health professionals and other organisations seeking Cultural Awareness
training are able to also take advantage of the program as well. The program covers the impact of colonisation on all aspects of Aboriginal peoples lives and
the implications that has on the contemporary health of Aboriginal people. Participants are encourage to read further and to orientate themselves to the
particular community they will be visiting. Further advice on community protocols is available from local councils and Aboriginal Health Workers.Memberships
• Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Alliance• Health Careers in the Bush
• Health & Community Services Workforce Council Inc
• Mount Isa Youth Pathways
• North & West Primary Health Care - Allied Health Community Panel
Indigenous Staff
MICRRH has 5 Indigenous staff members:• Dr Louis Peachey (Medical Educator)
• Catrina Felton-Busch (Co-ordinator Indigenous Studies)
• Shaun Solomon (Student Support Officer)
• Stephanie King (Administration & Student Placement Officer)
and
• Stevie Eggmolesse (Administration Officer)
