Ngayundi Aboriginal Health Council - Background

Ngayundi is a Bundjalung word meaning "This is Ours"
Ngayundi can be pronounced either Nun-Yoon-Dee or Nun-Yar
depending on the dialect of the region within the Bundjalung nation.

Ngayundi's logo has a story behind it. The four people in the centre represent north, south, west and east coming together. The plants and animals represent the bush tucker and traditional medicines that the people of the area used. This represents the knowledge of healing held by the Aboriginal people. This is like Ngayundi which reflects a knowledge of what is best for Aboriginal healing and making sure Health Services listen to this knowledge.

(The representation of this story was told by Aunty Faye to Peter Waples).

Achievements

Welcome to country, prayer and thanks offered at each meeting
Development of a culturally appropriative Palliative Care brochure
Progress towards establishing an Aboriginal Palliative Care Liaison position
Logo and letterhead for Ngayundi
Action on issues identified by individual Aboriginal communities
Appropriate grief and loss practices for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are gradually
being implemented within the region
Formal representation on other relevant committees
Participation in the development of strategic plans
Advice on mental health services
Involvement with the Tobacco Plan to encourage more culturally appropriate implementation
Support for the development of a Koori fathering Program
Development of a charter for Aboriginal People

Charter for Aboriginal People

Ngayundi Aboriginal Health Council exists to provide a forum for members of the Bundjalung and Yageal Nations to participate in and provide advice on all aspects of health service delivery within the North Coast Area Health Service. The purpose of such involvement is to attain equality of health status and life expectancy for all Aboriginal communities. Specifically Ngayundi works to support, inform and encourage efforts to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people within a generation.

What have we learnt?

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are a strong voice in our community. We have learnt that:

addressing a particular health concern may require a different approach from one community to
the next;
we don't need 'bums on seats' at meetings to get the message out. Aboriginal communities are
very good at disseminating information;
health concerns are not always the most pressing issue within a community;
occasional troughs in attendance at meetings do not indicate disinterest.