Australian Indigenous

This section of the Bulletin highlights recently released Indigenous specific resources. If you are aware of any new resources that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

• Aunt Wendy's mob - growing up strong added 11 March 2003
• Dialysis in remote Aboriginal communities added 4 February 2003
• Kimberley Interpreting Service added 8 January 2003
• Koori kidneys need kindness added 8 January 2003
• Safe dreaming trail to school project added 25 March 2003
• 'The ear video' and workbooks added 24 february 2003
  

Aunt Wendy's mob - growing up strong

Sick of 'Hey Diddle Diddle'? This CD, produced by Vibe Australia, is packed full of Koori kids' stories put to music. The stories are educational and based on Indigenous culture with the cover showing photos of Aboriginal children.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the CD or to purchase a copy contact: Deadly Sounds, PO Box 810, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, ph: 1800 623 430, fax: (02) 9361 5850, web: www.vibe.com.au

Dialysis in remote Aboriginal communities

The Western Desert Dialysis Appeal is a community project which is run by a committee of Yanangu people. The project aims to assist in the provision of dialysis treatment for people within their communities in preference to them having to move to other areas to access treatment. The following booklets have been written for Central Australian Aboriginal communities. They are designed to raise awareness of the issues associated with dialysis.

Booklet 1 - What is Dialysis and how big is the problem in the NT? - discusses end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and outlines treatment options. It also provides some basic data on the rates of ESRD among the Indigenous population with a focus on the Northern Territory. Included in the booklet are photographs of Indigenous people receiving treatment.

Booklet 2 - What is the cost of dialysis? - outlines the cost of dialysis treatment. The assessment considers the impact on individuals and the community in terms of: decision-making; housing; schooling; community services; employment; community visits and health services. Included are brief details of the experiences of people who have moved away from home for dialysis. Part 2 of the booklet introduces the concept of developing a satellite dialysis unit in Central Australia and details the requirements for cooperation and involvement from communities.

Booklet 3 - How can you do your own dialysis in a remote area? - explains the practical concerns with peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis in a remote area and what is involved in self-care options. It also stresses the importance of adequate home and community facilities for supporting haemodialysis equipment and the need for a trained buddy or 'malpa' to sit with the person during their treatment.

This painting is known as the 'Kiwirrkurra men's painting' and was painted in November 1999 by B. West Tjupurrula, B. Tjungurrayi, C. Wallabi Tjungurrayi, C. Ward Tjakamarra, J. Yungut Tjupurrula, K. Tjapangati, P. Tjungurrayi, T. Tjapanangka, W. Tjapangati. The painting shows designs associated with the soakage water site of Tjangimanta, just to the north-west of Kiwirrkurra community.		This painting is known as the 'Kintore women's painting' and was painted in November 1999 by J. Napurrula, K-K Nampitjinpa, N. Nungurrayi, N. Nungurrayi, N. Napurrula, P. Napanangka, T. Napurrula, T. Napaltjarri, W. Napaltjarri, Y. Nampitjinpa. It shows designs associated with the rock hole and soakage water sites of Marrapinti, Umari and Tjintjintjin.
The Western Desert Dialysis Appeal (WDDA) is a non-government organisation entirely funded from the sale at auction of Indigenous artworks from communities in the Western Desert.

For information about the inception and development of the project browse the Friends of the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal newsletters:
Winter 2001 (PDF - 726kb)
Summer 2001 (PDF -1494kb)
Winter 2002 (PDF - 1578kb)

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the booklets contact: Paul Rivalland - Project Manager, PO Box 562, Howard Springs NT 0835, ph: (08) 8983 3367, fax: (08) 8983 4467, email: kidney@octa4.net.au

Images, resources, and newsletters have been reproduced with the kind permission Paul Rivalland, and the Central Australian and Bidyadanga communities.

Kimberley Interpreting Service

Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre and Kimberley Language Resource Centre have launched the Kimberley Interpreting Service (KIS) for Aboriginal languages in the Kimberley Region. This service currently provides interpreters for the Aboriginal languages, Jaru, Kriol, Kija, Walmajarri and Kukatja. All interpreters have received accreditation from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and are trained to work in specialised environments such as health, law, social work, court trials, land claims, government, community affairs, business & legal settings and tourism & hospitality.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the services provided contact: Kimberley Interpreting Service, PO Box 162, Kununurra WA 6743, ph: (08) 9168 3163, fax: (08) 9168 2639.

Koori kidneys need kindness

This pamphlet has been developed to provide information to Aboriginal patients about kidney function, associated health issues, and check-ups. It was developed through Hunter Health and funded by the Lower/Upper Hunter Health Councils.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information or copies of the pamphlet contact: Hunter Renal Resource Centre, 1A Dudley Road, Charlestown NSW 2290, ph: (02) 4904 8800, web: www.users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbjan

Safe dreaming trail to school project

This CD, produced in 2002 by Noarlunga Health Services, is based on the collaborative work of students at Morphett Vale Primary School and their efforts to share and exchange artwork. Discussion and collaborative opinions are given for the process of developing the artwork which describes the safe dreaming trail to school.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the CD or to obtain a copy contact: The Director, Noarlunga Health Services, PO Box 437, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168, ph: (08) 8384 9273, fax: (08) 8384 9248.

'The ear video' and workbooks

'The ear video' was developed by the Ear Health and Education Unit at the Menzies School of Health Research and the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal and Tropical Health. It is designed to assist health staff who conduct ear examinations on young children to identify severe otitis media (OM). Four images of different types of OM are presented in the video with diagnoses and suggested treatments. Health staff can work through a further 30 images of the ear and respond in a workbook to four questions:

• Which ear is it?
• What can you see?
• What's your diagnosis?
• How would you treat it?

A full set of answers can be found in 'The ear video workbook' - trainer version.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information about the video and the workbooks contact: Michael Duffy, Acting Coordinator Research Transfer and Communications, Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal & Tropical Health, Darwin NT 0801, ph: (08) 8922 8841, fax: (08) 8922 7797, email: Michael.Duffy@menzies.edu.au, web: www.crcah.org.au/crc/

Last updated: 2 June, 2004