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Chief Psychiatrist’s NAIDOC Week Message 2023
Download page as PDFKaatadjiny Walbraaniny Danjoo – Learning to heal together
As Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia I recognise the historical significance of National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week-long celebrations of Aboriginal and Islander culture.
It is with pleasure that I acknowledge the theme for NAIDOC week this year ‘For Our Elders.’ This is particularly significant for my Office and myself as we have actively engaged with our colleagues from Curtin University in seeking to apply the culturally secure co-design framework Debakarn Koorliny Wangkiny (Steady Walking and Talking).
A significant part of this process has been our strong engagement with Wadjuk Noongar Elders and young people, the emerging leaders, to co-design better ways of engagement with, and service provision for, Aboriginal Peoples.
Our partnership is called Kaatadjiny Walbraaniny Danjoo (Learning to Heal Together), and follows on from the presentation in 2022 of a boorna wankiny (message stick) to me by Aunty Sandra Wilkes, which carries the responsibility for the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist to make real and authentic steps to improve social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal Peoples.
In celebrating NAIDOC Week as Chief Psychiatrist, my Office and I honour the Elders and young people for their generosity in sharing their wisdom and ongoing connection to country and the part that plays in healing for all.
I encourage all individual mental health clinicians around WA this NAIDOC week to talk and learn about building stronger and respectful personal relationships with their local Aboriginal Elders and community.