Four major Australian aged care providers signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation Yokai this week signalling the groups' commitment to enhancing culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal customers.
Juniper, MercyCare, Bethanie, and Hall and Prior reached the MOU with Yokai, an Aboriginal rights and Stolen Generations advocacy group.
The event marked a significant step towards reconciliation and a stronger support system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Yokai's chief executive Jim Morrison, praised aged care homes who go the extra mile to understand the needs of Aboriginal individuals, especially those who have experienced trauma.
"It's encouraging to see aged care organisations committing to understanding that caring for older Aboriginal people, especially Stolen Generations Survivors, should focus not only on their clinical needs but also on their cultural needs, such as their connection to Country and lived experience," he said.
Yokai, a term derived from the Noongar language, serves as a powerful call to action, conveying the message of 'enough is enough'.
The initiative has been collaboratively developed by the Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) and the WA Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, which serves as the representative body for Stolen Generation Survivors in Western Australia.
The work undertaken by Yokai is grounded in thorough consultation and extensive research, with the aim of achieving improved outcomes for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generations Survivors.
The signing of the MOU signifies a shared dedication towards establishing a culturally safe environment, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders are respected, understood, and supported.
Aboriginal Co-Chair of Bringing Them Home WA Inc and Stolen Generations Survivor, Tony Hansen, highlighted the significance of the MOU.
"I am pleased that Aged Care Service Providers have committed to working with Yokai to ensure that our Elders can receive appropriate care," he said.
"As a younger Stolen Generations Survivor, I look forward to working with them to fulfill these commitments."
Juniper CEO Russell Bricknell expressed his enthusiasm for the MOU, saying it aligns perfectly with Juniper's mission to provide compassionate and inclusive care for everyone.
"By prioritising cultural safety, we can ensure that our services are responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the diverse cultural backgrounds of our employees and the older people we support. We stand united in our dedication with MercyCare, Bethanie, Hall and Prior," he said.
"At Juniper, we recognise the importance of acknowledging and addressing the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"Our commitment to reconciliation and cultural safety is deeply rooted in our values of respect, compassion, and courage."
Senior representatives from all five organisations were present at the signing ceremony.
