Indigenous Allied Health Australia | Watch IAHA Workforce Webinar Series

Workforce Webinar Series Recorded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Members Only

IAHA hosted a series of five self-care live webinars for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce in partnership with AIDA, CATSINaM and NATSIHWA to provide a place to connect and support self-care of our valuable and important workforce. These webinars were held on the NSW Rural Doctors Network Rural Pro Platform.

Session 1: “Distant Spiritual Healing”
Presenters: Tony Duwun Lee and Trent Bundirrik Lee (cultural healers).
This webinar was NOT recorded but you can access the resources below.
 
Session 2: “Social and Emotional Wellbeing for the National Aboriginal Health Workforce.”
Presenters: Dr Clinton Shultz, and Professor Pat Dudgeon

Session 3: “Staying strong in mind and body”
Presenters: Nicole Turner & Ray Kelly

Session 4: “Trauma Informed Care”
Presenter: Kelleigh Ryan

Session 5: “Reflective Practice, Culture and Change”
Presenter: Kerry Arabena

WEBINAR: SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING FOR THE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HEALTH WORKFORCE

Dr Clinton Schultz

Dr Clinton Schultz is a strong Gamilaraay man and registered psychologist with a keen interest in holistic wellness, particularly the wellness of workers in health and community services.  Dr Schultz is a recently appointed Director on the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) Board and deserving recipient of the IAHA Professional of the Year in 2019. Dr Schultz was also named Griffith University’s “Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award” winner in 2018.

Dr Schultz recently completed his PhD titled: Winanga-li-gu (Higher order listening), Guwaa-li-gu (higher order speaking), Maruma-li-gu (higher order healing) Factors of holistic wellbeing for members of the Aboriginal health and community workforce. 

Dr Schultz uses his experiences to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and consult on organisational and cultural responsiveness.  Dr Schultz is an Assistant Professor with Bond University Medical School, Director of Marumali Consultations and Owner of Sobah beverages.

Professor Pat Dudgeon

Professor Pat Dudgeon is from the Bardi people of the Kimberly area in Western Australia. Professor Dudgeon is a Professor and Poche Research Fellow at the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia. Her area of research and passion includes Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. 

She is the director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. She is also the lead chief investigator of a national research project,  Generating Indigenous Patient-centred, Clinically and Culturally Capable Models of Mental Health Care, that aims to develop  approaches to Indigenous mental health services that foster and promote cultural values and strengths as well as empowering those who use the services.

Websites

Centre for Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, UWA. https://www.cbpatsisp.com.au/

National Empowerment Project (NEP)UWA https://www.nationalempowermentproject.org.au

Gayaa Dhuwi Proud Spirit

https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/

Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP)

Currently being updated.

http://www.indigenouspsyched.org.au/

Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association

http://www.indigenouspsychology.com.au/

Powerpoint

Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Trauma and trauma informed practice: Dr Clinton Scultz https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m7ofhK_gcu9EJ9QO0xHZsr4seSDYNIEQ/view

Youtube

Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Indigenous point of view – Dr Clinton Schultz http://sharingculture.info/davids-blog/social-and-emotional-wellbeing-indigenous-point-of-view-by-clinton-schultz

Reports, Journal Articles and Chapters

National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-23

https://www.niaa.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/mhsewb-framework_0.pdf

Ways Forward Report. (1995)

http://library.bsl.org.au/jspui/bitstream/123456789/353/1/Ways%20forward_vol.1%20%26%202%20_1995.pdf

All of the Working Together Book:

Pat Dudgeon, Helen Milroy, Roz Walker, 2014, Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice: 2nd Edition, Edited Book, viewed 29 April 2020,

https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/documents/aboriginal-health/working-together-second-edition/working-together-aboriginal-and-wellbeing-2014.pdf

Brockman, R., & Dudgeon, P. (2020). Indigenous clinical psychology in Australia: A decolonising social-emotional well-being approach. In P. Rhodes (Ed.), Beyond the psychology industry: How else might we heal? (pp. 83-93). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Calma, T., Dudgeon, P., & Bray, A. (2017). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing and mental health. Australian Psychologist, 52(4), 255-260. doi: 10.1111/ap.12299

Dudgeon, P., Bray, A., D’Costa & Walker. (2017). Decolonising psychology: Validating social and emotional wellbeing. Australian Psychologist, 52(4), 316-325. doi: 10.1111/ap.12294

Dudgeon, P., Cox, A., Scrine, C., & Walker, R. (2017). Facilitating empowerment and self-determination through participatory action research: Findings from the national empowerment project. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1-11. doi: 10.1177/1609406917699515

Dudgeon, P., & Walker, R. (2015). Decolonising Australian psychology: Discourses, strategies, and practice. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 3(1), 276-297. doi: 10.5964/jspp.v3i1.126

Gee G, Dudgeon P, Schultz C, Hart A, Kelly K. (2014). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing. In: Dudgeon P, Milroy H, Walker R, editors. Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: Canberra. https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/documents/aboriginal-health/working-together-second-edition/wt-part-1-chapt-4-final.pdf

Komla Tsey, Andrew Wilson, Melissa Haswell-Elkins, Mary Whiteside, Janya McCalman, Yvonne Cadet-James & Mark Wenitong (2007) Empowerment-based research methods: a 10-year approach to enhancing Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing, Australasian Psychiatry, 15:sup1, S34-S38, DOI: 10.1080/10398560701701163

Mia, T., Dudgeon, P., Mascall, C., Grogan, G., Murray, B., & Walker, R. (2017). An evaluation of the national empowerment project cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing program. Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing Te Mauri-Pimatisiwin, 2(2), 33-48. Retrieved from https://journalindigenouswellbeing.com

Poroch, N., Arabena, K., Tongs, J., Larkin, S., Fisher, J. & Henderson, G. 2009, Spirituality and Aboriginal People’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing: A Review, Discussion Paper No. 11, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, Darwin. http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/9413/5899/4472/DP_11_spirituality_review.pdf

Schultz, C., Walker, R., Bessarab, D.C., MacLeod, J., Marriott, R. and McMillan, F. (2010) Interdisciplinary Care to Enhance Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra.

Toombs, Maree (2011) What factors do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students say affect their social and emotional wellbeing while at University? [Thesis (PhD/Research)]

Schultz, C. (2013). Maintaining Strong Being: A new theory of resilience grounded in the lived experiences and knowledge’s of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers. Confirmation paper. Griffith Health Institute School of Public Health,. Griffith University. Gold Coast Qld.

Schultz, C., Walker, R., Bessarab, D., Macleod, J., Marriott, R., & McMillan, F. (2014). Interdisciplinary care to enhance social and emotional wellbeing including mental health. In P. Dudgeon, R. Walker & H. Milroy (Eds.), Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice (2 ed.). Canberra: Department of health and ageing.

Walker, R., Schultz, C., & Sonn, C. (2014). Cultural competence – transforming Aboriginal mental health practice and policy. In P. Dudgeon, R. Walker & H. Milroy (Eds.), Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health principles and practice (2 ed.). Canberra: Department of health and ageing.

WEBINAR: TRAUMA INFORMED CARE

Kelleigh Ryan

Kelleigh Ryan is a descendant of the Kabi Kabi people of South-East Queensland and the Australian South Sea Islanders with connections to the people of the Loyalty Islands on her mother’s side.

Kelleigh is a registered psychologist with a private practice in Brisbane, working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients from Australia and overseas. Her passion lies in providing psychological consultancy through her company The Seedling Group, delivering Culturally Safe Trauma Informed Responses and Healing work for organisations, communities and individuals across Australia. 

Kelleigh specialises in combining both Western clinical knowledge and Aboriginal knowledge of healing to guide her counselling, therapeutic intervention, critical response, psycho education and research work. Kelleigh holds a seat of the Australian Indigenous Psychologist Association Board (AIPA) and is one of the founding members of the newly formed First Peoples of the World Psychology Network.

In 2019 Kelleigh was honoured with the Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” and is the first Aboriginal Psychologist to be appointed as a Clinical Assessor on the Psychologist Panel of Assessors for the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). Kelleigh develops and delivers specialised therapeutic support, supervision and group consultation for Indigenous agencies who continue to respond to the changing healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of complex trauma. Supporting individual, group, family and community change, through transitional practices, from Trauma Informed to Healing Informed and Trauma Aware, supports our clients to grow from just enduring towards a stronger more resilient approach, that is healing.

Indigenous people take the lead in healing the trauma of the Stolen Generations

https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/healing-the-trauma-of-the-stolen-generations/12294998

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-31/healing-the-trauma-of-the-stolen-generations/12225034

WEBINAR: STAYING STRONG IN MIND AND BODY

Ray Kelly 
B.A. (Exercise Science) AEP MTeach BRes 

Ray is a proud Kamilaroi man and has more than 29-years’ experience in health and sport. He is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, has a Masters in Teaching, a Bachelor in Research and is working toward a PhD on Remission of Type 2 Diabetes in the Aboriginal Community. He was recently announced 2019 Exercise Physiologist of the Year. In 2020, Ray will co-host a documentary series alongside Dr Michael Mosley. The shows will present the latest research in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and follow as 12 Australians are assisted in reversing the disease. You might recognise Ray from The Biggest Loser Australia, where he was an external trainer in the first two seasons. Each year he had one contestant and each year that contestant won (Adro Sarnelli, 2006; Chris Garling, 2007). Following the show’s success, Ray went on to author Winners Do What Losers Don’t and Full Plate, Less Weight. 

Ray travels the world attending the major obesity and chronic disease conferences and provides education seminars for doctors, nurses, personal trainers, and other health professionals. He has a high level interest in Indigenous chronic disease and runs a number programs that focus on improving diabetes and heart disease. The goal is to have his patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight, reduce medications, and lower their HbA1c under 7, something that happens with the majority of patients. 

Athlete development has been another area of interest for Ray. He has worked within Institute of Sport programs preparing athletes for the World Championships and two Olympics as well as lectured in the Level 1 and 2 coaching courses. Additionally, Ray has worked with Australia’s top professional boxers, including World Champions such as Anthony Mundine, Daniel Geale, Michael Katsidis, Chris John, Will Tomlinson, and Lenny Zappavigna. Again, you might have seen him on Fox8’s boxing reality TV show The Contender.

Nicole Turner
Chairperson, Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) 

Nicole Turner is a proud Kamilaroi woman. She is one of very few qualified Aboriginal Community Nutritionists in Australia after completing her studies in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Community Nutrition). She is the current IAHA Chairperson and has been on the Board for six years showing leadership across the allied health and broader health sector. 

Nicole has worked in the health sector for over 20 years and in Aboriginal health for over 15 years as an Aboriginal Health Worker and enrolled nurse before becoming a Nutritionist . Nicole is an Adjunct Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra and has published several research papers in international journals. Nicole holds a full time position with the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Doctor’s Network as the Aboriginal Workforce Engagement Manager. 

Nicole’s passion is nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle and she believes we need to educate and give knowledge to our people about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and prevention of chronic diseases. She enjoys empowering other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to join the allied health workforce to encourage young people to finish school and follow their dreams.

WEBINAR: REFLECTIVE PRACTICE, CULTURE AND CHANGE

Kerry Arabena  

A descendant of the Meriam people from the Torres Strait, Kerry’s work has brought her to the forefront of Indigenous affairs in Australia. A former social worker with a Doctorate in Environmental Science, Kerry has held senior positions including Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, Executive Director of First 1000 Days Australia, CEO of the Lowitja Institute, and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Indigenous Allied Health professional’s work has intensified and become more complex in recent times, particularly in light of the Pandemic. Some workers reported feeling ‘guilty’ for not being able to work with their clients, cultural arks were established and the primary health care sector rallied together in our time of need. During this workshop, we will be exploring the benefits of reflective practice and implementing culture as meaningful strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of forced change.

Websites

 

Pivot

 

Reflective Practice Articles

 

Critical Response and Postvention Services

RESOURCES: DISTANT SPIRITUAL HEALING

Trent Lee

Trent Bundirrik Lee is from Darwin, Northern Territory.  In regards to healing, Trent has been trained and guided from a young age and has been performing healing using the didgeridoo and mediative methods which includes hand’s on, spiritual distancing and other healing methods.

Trent can also perform washing and smoking ceremonies for cleansing, funeral, sorry business and spirit cleansing.  Trent also carves canoes, birds and spray can murals art, spears and boomerang maker and is an emerging artist. 

Trent has worked with IAHA and AIDA before.  At the recent National IAHA and AIDA conferences in Darwin 2019, Trent was part of the Healing Teams that provided healing to conference participants.

Tony Lee

Tony ‘Duwun’ Lee is from Darwin, and is Larrakia. Tony’s has many areas of expertise and some of these include:

  • Exhibiting Artist (prints, paintings, carvings, sculpture)
  • Public Art
  • Art by commission
  • Corporate gifts
  • Healer
  • Welcome to Country presenter
  • Didgeridoo musician
  • Smoking ceremony facilitator
  • Workshop facilitator

Currrent bio-medical model and models of psychological care, are very helpful and essential but we also need to also consider spiritual health. There is a deeper consideration of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people consider health to be holistic, and that physical health is affected by the social, spiritual, emotional and cultural wellbeing of individuals and the broader community.  

Duwun has travelled around the world, including: China, America, South Pacific, India, New Zealand, Philippines.

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

IAHA and our Indigenous workforce partners delivered this important webinar on “Distant Spiritual Healing” hosted by Tony Duwun Lee and Trent Bundirrik Lee, Larrakia and Karrijari healers from Darwin, Northern Territory for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce.

Tony Duwun Lee and Trent Bundirrik Lee will provided supports to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workforce across allied health, medicine, nursing, midwifery, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners with spiritual healing from a distance. Tony Duwun Lee says, “Stress puts our health at risk. We are passionate about the mob on the frontline and want to give the Aboriginal health workforce strategies to manage their stress. Stress increases those hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin and we have spiritual ways of healing stress, that we want to share.”

Please Note:  this event was not recorded.

Websites:

The Healing Foundation: https://healingfoundation.org.au/community-healing/

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, healing is a holistic process, which addresses mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs and involves connections to culture, family and land.

News and University articles:

Ngangkari healers: 60,000 years of traditional Aboriginal methods make headway in medical clinics https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-28/aboriginal-healers-complementary-medicine-finds-its-place/9586972 dated 28th March 2018, retrieved 21.04.2020 from ABC website.

Traditional Aboriginal healing and western medicine meet with Ngangkari Project. https://ama.com.au/ausmed/traditional-aboriginal-healing-and-western-medicine-meet-ngangkari-project dated 27th April 2018, retrieved 21.04.2020 from Australian Medical Association website.

Traditional medicine plays a role alongside Western Medicine. https://www.gptq.qld.edu.au/discover-indigenous-health/traditional-medicine/ Retrieved 21.04.2020 from General Practice Training Queensland website.

Aboriginal healers working to keep traditional medicine alive. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/aboriginal-healers-working-to-keep-traditional-medicine-alive/5471058 Dated 23rd May 2014. Retrieved 21.04.2020 from ABC website.

Books:

1. Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari Authored by the: Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation

WINNER – 2013 Deadly Award for Published Book of the Year COMMENDED – 2013 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (Non-fiction category) The ngangkari are the traditional healers of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands, encompassing 350,000 square kilometres of the remote western desert. For thousands of years the ngangkari have nurtured the physical, emotional and social well-being of their people. To increase understanding and encourage collaboration with mainstream health services and the wider community, the ngangkari have forged a rare partnership with health professionals and practitioners of Western medicine. Experience the world of the ngangkari as they share their wisdom, natural healing techniques and cultural history through life stories, spectacular photography and artwork.

Retrieved 21.04.2020 from Magabala Books website

2. Traditional Aboriginal Health Practice in Australia

Devanesen D., Maher P. (2003) Traditional Aboriginal Health Practice in Australia. In: Selin H. (eds) Medicine Across Cultures. Science Across Cultures: The History of Non-Western Science, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht

Journal Articles:

Dudgeon, P., & Bray, A., (2017) Indigenous Healing Practices in Australia. Women & Therapy. Routledge Limited, https://doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2017.1324191

Oliver, S.J. The role of traditional medicine practice in primary health care within Aboriginal Australia: a review of the literature. J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine 9, 46 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-9-46