Aboriginal Leadership in Health and Social Policy

Dr Mark Wenitong, President, Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association
5 September 2007. Streaming Audio and MP3
Abstract: How do we determine, without polarising or politicising, what is best practice in social and health reform for Indigenous Australians?
European health and social policy has assumed the right to declare what is 'acceptable' practice for all of society. Even if, within this ideology, we were able to keep Indigenous kids safe tonight, how would we ensure they have something meaningful to live for tomorrow?
Indigenous Australians have been here a long time, yet continue to battle to have Indigenous knowledge systems acknowledged. The Anderson-Wild Report has laid out the rules of engagement with Aboriginal people by recommending that '…there needs to be a radical change in the way government and non-government organisations consult, engage with and support Aboriginal people.' This presents public health and social planners with a real challenge.