INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS NURSES AND MIDWIVES CAUCUS

I newly attended an indigenous Health Forum that was held October 2-6 in Townsville, Australia. This circumstance was the inaugural meeting of the 'International Network for Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development' (INIHKD). Participation included representatives from fresh Zealand, Canada, the United States and Australia representing community, academics and rule The focus was the continuing disparities between the health of indigenous family and the non-indigenous settlers of these four countries.

Similarities in health status, lock opener health issues, trends in health and disease and the causal systemic factors that underlie these findings are evident. It was acknowledged that there are also a certain quantity of striking differences relating to these factors. The three lock opener areas of interest were workforce unfolding health services, and research.

There were several indigenous supply with nourishments and a few indigenous midwives at hand at the conference and this not awayed a wonderful opportunity to clutch an 'Indigenous Nurses & Midwives Caucus'. Participants in this inaugural caucus included Australian representatives: Odette Best & Kath Howey; Canadian representatives: Bernice Downey & Indigo Sweetwater; novel Zealand representatives: Tungane Kani, Caroline McKinney & Ngaire Whata; and from the United States: Marie Alien.

The focus of the caucus was to share our contemplations and interests in areas specific to indigenous nursing and midwifery and the three defined areas of interest of the talk In addition, a heartwarming sharing of stories and interests took place above breakfast with lots of laughter and a general feeling of excitement to be making connections with indigenous nursing colleagues around the world. Clearly what was a commonality among the collection was the commitment and passion that we bring to our work.

Future networking plans include establishing an Indigenous Nursing and Midwifery Chat cluster which will provide an opportunity to continue our dialogue and to spread the word. Hopefully we will have other supply with nourishments join. In addition, the nearest INIHKD Conference is expected to take place here in Canada in 2005 Our international colleagues will then have an opportunity to diocese our own beautiful country!

Townsville, Australia

October 2-6

Respectfully submitted,

Bernice Downey (A.N.A.C. member)

The following is the statement that was drafted and not absented to the INIHKD Steering Committee for inclusion in the final report of the discourse proceedings.

TOWNSVILLE INDIGENOUS NURSES AND MIDWIVES STATEMENT

In recognition that indigenous nurtures are the largest professional indigenous workforce clump and that indigenous midwives clutch traditional knowledge regarding birthing, the following priorities in indigenous health reform were identified:

Cultural Safety

That cultural safety must be evident in all horizontals of nursing/midwifery services for indigenous peoples

Education

That indigenous health and cultural safety must be evident in core Nursing/Midwifery education curriculum.

Protection of Indigenous Knowledge

That indigenous women and families have a birthright to the access of traditional indigenous birthing practices and breastfeeding. Further, that indigenous knowledge emergencys to be protected against misappropriation.

Self determination

That nursing and midwifery health care should be 'by indigenous clan for indigenous people and from one side indigenous institutions'.

Indigenous Health Reform

That indigenous health reform and disentanglement needs to be a multi-disciplinary and community l process

That indigenous community health workers are oftentimes the first point of contact in Indigenous communities and that they make a valuable contribution in the delivery of healthcare for indigenous peoples

Nursing Research Priorities

That nursing research should be for indigenous nurses/people by means of indigenous nurses and people.

That nursing research agendas should be unfolded within the overall aim to advance the health of indigenous peoples

Nursing Workforce Priorities

That indigenous nurtures and midwives are critical to advancing the health of indigenous peoples

That the generally received shortage of these workforce assemblages requires indigenous specific solutions and strategies in order to address them.

That we ne to increase the numbers of nursing academics.

That indigenous nourishs and midwives need to be supported and nurtur in their work to address workplace, professional and cultural isolation within the connected thought [i]or[/i] thoughts of developing sustainable nursing retention frameworks.

Health Initiative Priorities

That nursing and midwifery supports and advocates for the exhibition of health initiatives that are based upon an indigenous wellness model.

That indigenous nursing and midwifery services historically were provided in an indigenous way to address the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental straits of indigenous peoples. Further, that in contemporary health care approaches, this is recognized as Primary Health Care.

Bernice Downey (A.N.A.C. member)

Copyright Aboriginal supply with nourishments Association of Canada Dec 2003

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