International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples 9th August
Indigenous Allied Health Australia acknowledge World Indigenous Peoples Day, Sunday 9 August 2020.
During recent months IAHA have been posting under the theme ‘Staying Connected, Stronger Together’, to highlight the collective strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, organisations and communities.
On World Indigenous Peoples Day, we also recognise the strengths of First Nations peoples globally. The proverb above, which came to us from Teah Carlson, co-chair of Nga Pou Mana (Maori Allied Health Professionals of Aotearoa), speaks powerfully of the progress that can made together through collaboration. IAHA are proud to have a formal partnership with in place with our Maori brothers and sisters in Nga Pou Mana.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in Australia, Aotearoa and internationally, there are numerous examples of First Nations self-determination producing positive outcomes and protecting the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples, families and communities. Internationally, First Nations peoples continue to work for greater self-determination, a collective right to govern in a way that meets the needs of First Nations peoples.
On World Indigenous Peoples Day, we continue to follow in the footprints of our old people, and lead for our future generations.
Teah Carlson, Chairperson of Nga Pou Mana writes:
It is a privilege to support International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2020 alongside IAHA. Today is a day to recognise the daily, lived realities of our peoples living, loving and being on the land in harmony with our earth mother and sky father.
As we reflect on this time, a time of need and relationship we can draw on the wisdom of our ancestors.
Today and everyday we learn, reclaim and practice our Indigenous intelligence, our relational wisdom that enabled us to traverse the seas, footprint over vast sands and soil all under the sky of bright stars and planets. Today, we voice that we will go far and together.
As partners in Indigenous Allied health we systematically support and provide environments for our health workforce to grow, train, and lead. #gofartogetherIAHA&NPM
