Research and Articles

To find out more about the development issues The Foundation work with click on one of the links below.

• Trachoma: An Evidence-Based Global and Australian Perspective, February 2006
• Evaluation of the Nyirranggulung East Katherine Nutrition Project Report and Appendices, February 2005  

The following links will give you an introduction to aspects of our work in Indigenous Australia:

• Indigenous Programs Women's Centre Report, 2007  (401kb)
  This report documents the views of women from certain communities regarding the past and current operation of their Women's Centres and more importantly their vision for the future.
• Community Consultation on Home Micronutrient Supplementation ‘Sprinkles’ for Indigenous Children in the Northern Territory, 2007  (1.1MB) 
  A six month formative research project was conducted to inform the feasibility of implementing a home micronutrient supplement, ‘Sprinkles’, for the prevention of anaemia in Indigenous children aged 6 – 24 months in the NT. 
• Adjournment by John Ah Kit
  About The Foundation's Indigenous Program and Wugularr community member, Martha Bennett. John Ah Kit is a former member and first Aboriginal minister of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. He was Minister for Community Development, and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Indigenous Affairs.
  
  The Foundation's submission to the Commonwealth House of Representatives (Australia) Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, concerning their inquiry into capacity building in Aboriginal communities (2002).

The following titles or links will give you an introduction to some of the issues which impact on our work in Indigenous Australia:

Online resources:

• In Australia we have great disparities in the health system when it comes to health care for Aboriginal people compared to the white population. The authors of an article recently published in the Medical Journal of Australia call this institutional racism and one of the authors, Professor Gavin Mooney from Curtin University in Perth, explained why on Radio National's Health Matters with Norman Swan (31 May 2004).
• The Australian Government's response to the Review of the Implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Program (May 2004)
• The OATSIH Review of the Implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Program (2003). NB: The file on this linked page is 566kb.
• The quality of life of Australia's Aborigines is the second worst on the planet, according to a Canadian study of 100 countries.
• Read Andra Jackson's article in The Age 'Life of Aborigines second worst on earth' (28 April 2004).
• Education is a key to improved well-being but Indigenous Australians remain locked out. This announcement by the Government regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education is extremely disappointing and will mean a cut in funding of around five per cent in real terms. Read the Message Stick News article (6 April 2004).
• Read Reconciliation Australia's 2003 Reconciliation Report on national progress towards reconciliation in the year 2003 (December 2003).
• Read the Australian Productivity Commissions report Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: key indicators 2003 (November 2003)
• Learn about an important Indigenous conference in the NT: Building Effective Indigenous Governance: The way forward for Northern Territory regions and communities (5-7 November 2003). Read an ABC Darwin report promoting the conference (3 November 2003).
• Read about the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) call for the Federal Government to allocate $250 million annually for five years to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It's part of their Federal Budget Submission 2004-2005.
• Read the Medical Journal of Australia's article 'Indigenous health: chronically inadequate responses to damning statistics' - accepted 17 October 2002.
• Read ATSICs National Health Policy (February 2001) - Fred Hollows work with the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program is mentioned on p11.
• Read Taylor, J and Westbury, N Aboriginal Nutrition and the Nyirranggulung Health Strategy in Jawoyn Country (October 2000)(530KB)
•  Read ATSICs 'As a Matter of Fact: Answering the Myths and Misconceptions about Indigenous Australians' (February 1999).

Recommended background reading:

Couzos S. Aboriginal Primary Health Care: An Evidence-based Approach. Oxford University Press, 2002.

Jull P. The Politics of sustainable development: Reconciliation in indigenous hinterlands. Paper for international research project, University of Tromso, 2002.

Kidd R. The Way We Civilise: Aboriginal Affairs - the Untold Story. A history of Aboriginal affairs in Queensland. University of Queensland Press, 1997.

Reid J, Trompf P (eds). The Health of Aboriginal Australia. Marrickville: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, 1991.

Reynolds H. Why Weren't We Told? Penguin Books Australia.

Saggers S, Gray D. Aboriginal health and society. The traditional and contemporary Aboriginal struggle for better health. North Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1991.

Sullivan P (ed). Shooting the Banker: Essays on ATSIC and self-determination. Darwin: ANU, North Australia Research Unit, 1996.

Taylor, HR. Eye Health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Commonwealth Government of Australia, 1997.

Trudgen R. Why Warriors Lie Down and Die - Djumbatj Mala. Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc, Darwin, 2000.

Country of the Heart: An Indigenous Australian Homeland. Aboriginal Studies Press, 2002.

Where to find other titles:

•  Bookworm: Australian online bookshop
•  Nganampa Health Council, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands: Reading List