An electronic publication from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Issue 9, November 2000 - February 2001 : ISSN 1329-3362
Conference abstracts and papers
12th National Health Promotion Conference: Inequalities in health
- reflecting back, stepping forward.
29 October - 1 November 2000, Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne, Victoria.
Henry Councillor
HEATworks.
When focusing on Aboriginal Health it is imperative that one has a holistic framework. Health does not just mean the physical wellbeing of the individual, but refers to the social, emotional and cultural well being of the whole community. This is a whole of life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life.
Health education should strive to achieve the state where every individual can achieve their full potential as human beings and thus bring about the total well being of their community. Therefore it is imperative that education is delivered in communities in primary health care setting using an effective medium that clearly conveys messages.
At KAMSC Inc. Health Promotion unit 'HEATworks' we believe that visual and oral methods give people a more holistic look at issues that affect their lives. Two projects that we run are 'Desert Acrobats' which is a youth self-esteem project, and 'Moving Stories' which is theatre for counselling. Along with theatre productions where a dramatic story, looks at specific issues and the related problems surrounding those issues, these give peop1e a far wider understanding, enabling solutions to be found.
Planning an issue in a 'real life' context, with an emotional base helps people identify with the characters and their problems. The fact that the plays are written for an Aboriginal audience, and have Aboriginal people on the stage/dirt/floor, adds to the reality of what is being portrayed.
The use of music and singing enhances the story, again by working on people's emotional lives. A play can be entertaining, sad, funny and tragic all in less than one hour. Add to this the social factor, that is, a play being a communal event bringing people together, and it adds up to being a wonderful, exciting way of learning. This is in stark contrast to didactic teaching; all helpful and necessary in their own way, but restricted to a one dimensional experience. An alternative to the written word seems appropriate when working alongside a culture with an oral tradition.
Contemporary theatre also gives people in remote areas the chance to experience an art form which, up until recently, was unheard of. Theatre also forms a link to traditional culture where singing and dancing are an integral part of life. The live, visual aspects of theatre, and the storytelling, together create something which Aboriginal people are comfortable with.
KAMSC Inc Health Promotion Unit also produces visual promotional material. These support doctors working in the AMSs and compliment the messages conveyed in theatre productions. The focus for this material is visual and is produced by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley region.
