The Lowitja Institute

The Lowitja Institute Australia's National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through high-impact quality research, knowledge exchange, and by supporting a new generation of researchers.

Congratulations to Central Land Council, which has received an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Grant for...
29/04/2026

Congratulations to Central Land Council, which has received an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Grant for its project entitled: 'Lajamanu Good Life Study (Ngurruju Ngurra Parlka Kulu) – Knowledge Translation for Yapa-Led Change in Lajamanu'.

The project aims to support Warlpiri Aboriginal people (Yapa) in Lajamanu to use their own stories and data to make positive change towards a ‘good life’ in their community.

Learn more about our Seeding Grant recipients: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0PjT-0

Congratulations to Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC), which has received an Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
28/04/2026

Congratulations to Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC), which has received an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Grant for its project entitled: 'Fostering connection and wellbeing: Increasing Community participation opportunities at BDAC'.

This project explores a priority expressed by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo for greater involvement in supporting their community through BDAC.

Learn more about our Seeding Grant recipients: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0PjLP0

National and global resistance opposes the criminalisation and punitive punishment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islan...
27/04/2026

National and global resistance opposes the criminalisation and punitive punishment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with complex needs, including harmful incarceration practices of children as young as ten years of age. The aim of this scoping review was to understand the available evidence regarding culturally responsive diversion programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

To resist the incarceration of Indigenous Australian children with complex needs, funding, policy directions and public health responses need to be aimed at further development and delivery of culturally responsive diversion approaches, which have been shown in this scoping review to improve quality of life, holistic health and wellbeing, thus reducing offending behaviour.

Read the full article in 'The Lowitja Journal': https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0PbhZ0

Survey closes on 30 April!Lowitja Institute's ‘Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled resear...
22/04/2026

Survey closes on 30 April!

Lowitja Institute's ‘Looking back to look forward: aspirations for community controlled research’ project is designed to help us understand your needs and how best to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

Our survey is targeted at people and organisations who have engaged with us in different ways so that we can understand insights from across the sector.

You are invited to have your say about the priorities, experiences, and aspirations for future health and wellbeing research led by Aboriginal community controlled organisations.

Read more and take the survey: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0NqnW0

This study sought to explore health practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in delivering culturally safe care...
21/04/2026

This study sought to explore health practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in delivering culturally safe care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and families in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Despite understanding the principles and importance of culturally safe care in practice, health practitioners have reported a lack of support and confidence in practicing culturally safe care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and their families in NICUs. This study has identified key recommendations to help improve health practitioners’ knowledge of culturally safe care and its implementation to practice.

Read the full article in 'The Lowitja Journal': https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0N9Pq0

Our Lowitja Learning Summit series continued last week on Kaurna Country where we hosted workshops that created space fo...
16/04/2026

Our Lowitja Learning Summit series continued last week on Kaurna Country where we hosted workshops that created space for learning, connection, and shared knowledge alongside esteemed scholars and leaders: Professor James Ward, Professor Sandra Eades, Stephen Harfield, Mr Robbie Palm, and Associate Professor Kim Morey.

The workshops were titled ‘Best Practice Community Engagement across the Research Cycle – Connection before Collection’ and ‘Developing High Calibre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’.

Group photo (L-R): Kristen Keating, Stephen Harfield, Prof Sandra Eades, Prof James Ward, Sonia Waters, Dearna Newchurch, Robbie Palm, Michelle Sweet, and A/Prof Kim Morey.

It is with deep sadness that Lowitja Institute acknowledges the passing of Dr Naomi Mayers OAM and Aunty Ann Weldon this...
15/04/2026

It is with deep sadness that Lowitja Institute acknowledges the passing of Dr Naomi Mayers OAM and Aunty Ann Weldon this month.

Both women were pivotal in the 1971 establishment of the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service, Australia’s first Aboriginal community controlled health service. Dr Mayers was the first National Coordinator of the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Organisation (now National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation), longstanding NACCHO Deputy Chair, and acting NACCHO Chair in 2001 and 2005. Today, almost 150 Aboriginal community controlled health services provide comprehensive primary healthcare to their communities, thanks in part to the hard work, vision, and determination of pioneers such as Dr Mayers and Aunty Ann.

We honour their lifetime advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination, health, and justice. Their efforts have had profound and far-reaching impacts for communities across the country.

We pay tribute to their respective contributions and extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones and former health service colleagues.

National Walk for Truth is a First Peoples-led national initiative taking place from 19 April to 27 May 2026.Building on...
14/04/2026

National Walk for Truth is a First Peoples-led national initiative taking place from 19 April to 27 May 2026.

Building on the legacy of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the Victorian Walk for Truth, which brought together more than 22,000 people, the National Walk for Truth will journey more than 820km from Melbourne to Canberra, alongside coordinated walks taking place across the country.

Priorities of the Walk include engaging and supporting First Peoples businesses, Traditional Owners, and local communities along the route, and an open letter to the Prime Minister, calling for the establishment of a national Truth-telling process.

Organisers are asking people across the country to sign and stand behind this call. Amplifying this open letter is critical to ensuring the Walk’s purpose is understood, carried, and acted upon at a national level.

To sign and find out more, visit: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0M8-C0

Call for Artists: Expression of Interest Submissions close today at 6pm AEST!Lowitja Institute's biennial International ...
10/04/2026

Call for Artists: Expression of Interest

Submissions close today at 6pm AEST!

Lowitja Institute's biennial International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference attracts a global audience committed to sharing knowledge for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities from around the world.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from First Nations artists who have a connection to Larrakia Country, in the Northern Territory, to create artwork that transforms and promotes our Lowitja Conference 2027, taking place on Larrakia Country, Garramilla in the Northern Territory in June 2027.
We are excited to hear from artists with a connection to Larrakia Country!

Read more details here and complete a short form:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0Lq-r0

Larrakia Nation Northern Land Council

Yesterday, Dr Ali Drummond presented 'The Lowitja Journal's first online event for the year to kick off the Knowing, Bei...
09/04/2026

Yesterday, Dr Ali Drummond presented 'The Lowitja Journal's first online event for the year to kick off the Knowing, Being and Doing webinar series.

This Indigenist Assemblage session offered valuable insights into the critical entanglement with various theoretical principles and approaches that shaped the development of the theoretical framework for Ali’s thesis. Ali yarned about the challenges and nuances involved in creating coherence and trustworthiness at the intersections of these principles and approaches, highlighting how these tensions were navigated during the process.

Watch recording: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0LdMz0

A major mental health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other people of Australia can be add...
07/04/2026

A major mental health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other people of Australia can be addressed through more careful communication by healthcare professionals, with improved methods identified by Flinders University and fellow researchers.

This new article recognises communication as critical for safe and effective mental healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Led by Flinders University’s Associate Professor Stuart Ekberg's study identifies practical approaches that health professionals can use to optimise their communication.

Read the full article in 'The Lowitja Journal': https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0KR9H0

Read more: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0KR690

Wungening Aboriginal Corporation recently published a report detailing the Aboriginal-led evaluation of its Ngalla Wirri...
07/04/2026

Wungening Aboriginal Corporation recently published a report detailing the Aboriginal-led evaluation of its Ngalla Wirrin Wungening (Our Spirit Healing) alcohol and other drug program.

This evaluation was centred on stories, relationships and lived experience. The process drew on individual and group yarning to both understand the impact of the program and explore real time opportunities for improvement.

Read the report:https://www.wungening.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NWW-Evaluation-Report.pdf

Watch the accompanying video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUYWvD_hQH4&list=PLbTVw-AFl-jY1ogIcVzUN8X0awk2nzdou

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