We will soon celebrate National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June 2018) in Australia.
For Dr Liz Mowatt, Chair of ACEM’s Indigenous Health Subcommittee, the week is an opportunity to continue to build better health systems, built on respect and cultural awareness.
“The theme for National Reconciliation Week this year is “Don’t Keep History a Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow”. I encourage all my colleagues to learn more about the history and diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. Local knowledge and understanding can promote and strengthen relationships between Indigenous people and your department, which ultimately, can contribute to improved clinical outcomes,” Dr Mowatt said.
ACEM’s 2017–18 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – its first – outlines a series of practical, achievable and meaningful actions that the College is undertaking in order to bring the culture and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into every facet of ACEM’s business.
“In the context of the RAP, embracing reconciliation means making emergency departments safe, welcoming and respectful environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families,” Dr Mowatt said.
Get involved, resources
Members are urged to find out more about National Reconciliation Week and events they can get involved in and around their local community. Members are urged to use the hashtag #ACEMnrw18 to share with us their activities.
The Share our Pride website, developed by Reconciliation Australia, is designed to give non-Indigenous people a glimpse into the lives and cultures of Australia’s First People.
ACEM also has a number of indigenous health resources members can view on the Best of Web platform.