04/12/2025
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ ฤ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ
Over 02 - 07 November 2025, NAATSIHWP welcomed a delegation of Mฤori leaders to strengthen Indigenous to Indigenous collaboration and knowledge exchange across community-led health, justice, and healing. The visit offered an opportunity to engage directly with organisations leading innovative, culturally grounded approaches to supporting families and strengthening communities.
The delegation visited the Justice Reinvestment Project in Mt Druitt, where local young people had outlined their community-driven strategies to create safer pathways and reduce contact with the justice system. In Nowra, Waminda - South Coast Women's Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Corp. shared its holistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander Health Worker and Health Practitioner model of care, which integrates both the social and cultural determinants of health.
While in Canberra a trip to Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services also provided an opportunity to learn about their comprehensive primary health care model and dedicated work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody. Winnungaโs outreach to prisons, as well as its services for young people at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, provided an important example of culturally informed care across the justice continuum.
Meetings with the Healing Foundation provided valuable insights into community responses to intergenerational trauma and their work with the survivors of the stolen generations and their families. A session at NAATSIHWP with Tanya Hirvonen from Thirrili further highlighted the critical nature of Indigenous-led approaches to crisis intervention, and postvention support.
The visit also included constructive discussions with Senator Lidia Thorpe and Senator Dorinda Cox on justice reform, community authority, and opportunities for ongoing collaboration. A networking dinner during the week brought Indigenous leaders together including Australiaโs inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed and Productivity Commissioner, Romlie Mokak, for professional exchange and strengthening relationships.
We would like to sincerely thank all those who shared their time, expertise, and experience over the course of the week. Your contributions ensured the visit was productive and valuable for all involved.
