Aminina Nud Mulumuluna (“You Gotta Look After Yourself”): Evaluation of the use of traditional art in health promotion for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley region of Western Australia

Abstract

This research documents an evaluation of preventive health resources developed for Aboriginal people in the west Kimberley region. The project was a collaboration between The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women and Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal health workers, educators and artists from Looma, Pandanus Park, Derby and Mowanjum. Traditional art and language provided a basis for cultural identity and imparting modern health knowledge. Two health booklets and a video (Aminina Nud Mulumuluna – “You Gotta Look After Yourself” and Wungai Ngunga – “Women's Business”) were produced. Qualitative research suggests that the resources were well accepted, fostered health discussions and contributed to the pride and self‐esteem of local people. Collaboration and the integration of traditional and modern health knowledge contributed to a contemporary view of Aboriginal health.

Missed opportunities in educating Aboriginal Australians about bowel cancer screening: Whose job is it anyway?

“…Frequently described barriers underlying poor participation in bowel cancer screening include: Misconceptions about risk and susceptibility; fatalistic and negative attitudes towards cancer; the absence of family history or symptoms and lack of familiarity with the concept of screening for pre-symptomatic/latent disease; the embarrassment and unpleasant nature of the test; low perceived self-efficacy to complete the test; language and communication barriers; absence of a doctor's recommendation; and lack of knowledge of bowel cancer and screening options (Green & Kelly, 2004;Greiner, Born, Nollen, & Ahluwalia, 2005;Guadagnolo et al, 2009;Natale-Pereira et al, 2008;Severino, Wilson, Turnbull, Duncan, (Davis et al, 2004;Schoen, Balchin, & Thompson, 2010). Traditional art can relate health to culture in a meaningful way that aligns with Aboriginal worldviews and paradigms of health.…”

Health and wellbeing outcomes of programs for Indigenous Australians that include strategies to enable the expression of cultural identities: a systematic review

“…Australian qualitative studies affirm the value of supporting Indigenous peoples to express cultural identities (Davis et al 2004;Bulman and Hayes 2011;Carey and Russell 2011). Consistent with this, supporting Indigenous people to practise culture is a key component of the Australian Government's current plan to improve Indigenous health (Commonwealth of Australia 2013).…”

“…Many compelling qualitative descriptions of effects of interventions on people's lives attest that the benefits of cultural approaches to improving health and wellbeing cannot be encapsulated by numerical measures alone (Davis et al 2004;Morrissey et al 2007;Bulman and Hayes 2011;Carey and Russell 2011). Our intention in excluding studies providing only qualitative outcomes from this review is not to undermine their value, but rather to provide a different lens on the effect of cultural interventions on health and wellbeing.…”

Investigating health, economic and socio-political factors that need consideration when establishing Victorian Aboriginal land management projects

“…Behrendt (2003) noted that reconciliation can only occur when sovereignty is acknowledged through the recognition of past injustices, property rights and cultural practices. Davis et al (2004) noted that cultural practices, such as Aboriginal land management, serve as tools to integrate spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of health and wellbeing. Protecting Country is the inherited right and responsibility that Aboriginal people feel (DSE 2004).…”