Kimberley Aboriginal community sets new blueprint for health and wellbeing

Natasha Clark
Natasha Clark Published March 16, 2026 at 1.50pm (AWST)

A remote Aboriginal community north of Broome has released a new strategy aimed at strengthening health and wellbeing through cultural governance and community control.

The Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation last week launched its updated Binimal Aambooriny - Strong People, Healthy Living Strategy, setting out how organisations and service providers are expected to work with the community.

Djarindjin sits about 170 kilometres north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

The strategy builds on the corporation's long-term vision and comes as the organisation has grown into what it describes as a largely self-funded community-controlled body, with more than 90 per cent of its operations funded independently.

Under the framework, organisations working in Djarindjin are expected to follow the community's cultural governance processes and priorities.

Chief executive Nathan McIvor said the strategy reflected the community's determination to guide its own future.

"This strategy is more than a document — it is how Djarindjin chooses its future," Mr McIvor said.

"It ensures that anyone who comes to work with us walks in the same direction, guided by our cultural governance, strengthening our people, our culture and our future."

The document takes a broad view of wellbeing, linking physical and mental health with family, culture, community and connection to Country.

It also outlines expectations for organisations working in the community, including coordinated service delivery, prevention-focused wellbeing initiatives and standards around healthy food.

Mr McIvor said cultural governance would remain central to the community's approach.

"Strong people come from strong culture, and strong culture comes from community control," he said.

The strategy will guide how organisations engage with the Djarindjin community in the years ahead.

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National Indigenous Times

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