This week in Perth, a research symposium called Gathering the Seeds is underway, with the attendance of Elders from Whadjuk Noongar boodja and other parts of Australia.
Taking place from April 3-5 at Burswood on the Swan, situated along the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), the symposium's main goal is to provide a secure environment for service providers, allied health professionals, communities, and families to lead healthcare system reformation to pave the way for brighter futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and children.
Day one began with Professor Rhonda Marriott opening the proceedings and Aunty Marie Taylor performing a special Welcome to Country for attendees, inviting them outside to greet the Waugul (Rainbow Serpent) who created the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), which was next to where the official proceedings were held.
Tony Buti MLA, Minister of Education, Aboriginal Affairs and Citizenship, and Multicultural Interests, spoke to the crowd during his welcome address about the importance of the Closing the Gap initiative and the need for more focus on the developmental years of babies and young children.
Professor Marriott, the Chief Investigator of the Replanting the Birthing Trees project, said the symposium has been structured using the Birthing Tree as a metaphor.
The goal is to explore ways to 'gather the seeds' and grow a tree with firm roots, symbolising keeping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families together.
The sturdy trunk represents continuity of care, while supportive branches refer to workforce development.
Finally, fresh leaves and new growth represent a resource repository, support framework, and culturally validated assessment.
Replanting the Birthing Trees is a collaborative effort between over 20 universities, institutes, health organisations, and community-controlled groups, including the University of Melbourne and Murdoch University.
Today was day one of the 1st Gathering the Seeds research symposium, led by PVC Rhonda Marriott and @DrCChamberlain.
Elders and other distinguished guests will come together over the next few days to discuss how we can grow a brighter future for First Nations families.#MurdochUni pic.twitter.com/fZOQ5dNiBP
— Murdoch University (@MurdochUni) April 3, 2023
The Chief Investigator and lead of the Replanting the Birthing Trees project, University of Melbourne Professor Cath Chamberlain, Palawa woman of the Trawlwoolway mob (Tasmania), is please to report a great start to the symposium.
"It's been an inspiring start, filled with passion and commitment for creating a nation where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can, once again, grow up healthy and stong.
"We are grateful to our Elders sharing their stories and providing essential guidance on a way forward."
She also notes "the Birthing Tree represents a safe and sacred place where many Aboriginal women sort physical, social and emotional wellbeing care around this critical time."
"Colonisation, violence and discrimination have led to and reinforce harmful compounding cycles of intergenerational trauma which impacts the health of Aboriginal communities and families."
"Transforming cycles of trauma to cycles of nurturing and recovery will be essential for Closing the Gap.
"We need to metaphorically replant safe and sacred care - culturally grounded, safe, holistic, trauma-integrated, transdisciplinary continuity-of-care in the first 2000 days to ensure all Aboriginal babies have the best possible start to life."
More to come.
