Lowitja Institute

Cancer Australia is calling for applications for the Partnerships for Cancer Research grant program – a new $9.6 million initiative to support cancer research for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Cancer Australia is delivering this grant in partnership with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). This national grant program aims to involve communities in designing research for their benefit and strengthen partnerships between communities, health services, and research institutions. Partnerships, with funding of up to $2.5 million each, will improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, enhance equitable cancer care, build research skills among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, and support local leadership in cancer research.  Applications for the Partnerships for Cancer Research grant program are currently being accepted until 5pm (AEDT) Wednesday 12 February 2025, via NHMRC's grant management system – Sapphire. To learn more about the Partnerships for Cancer Research grant program and how to submit an application, visit https://bit.ly/4cEY7lw

Read more about the latest article in First Nations Health and Wellbeing – The Lowitja Journal ⬇️

Read how a South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord was developed in this article from the first edition of the Lowitja Journal. The Accord acts as an important step forward in ethical health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by offering a localised framework to ensure respectful, impactful, and culturally appropriate research practices. This was developed to ensure Aboriginal voices shape health research that benefits their communities. The article lays out 9 guiding principles that were developed as a road map for researchers, institutions, and service providers, through consultations, literature review, and a consensus workshop. 1. Identify the right people within the kinship network to enable culturally sensitive communication (Jacobs et al., 2010). 2. Be transparent and open in communication: • a series of conversations with community members may be necessary • establish equivalent partnerships with community members • determine a shared understanding of the proposed research • identify any specific or sensitive cultural matters that may influence the way in which samples should be best managed. 3. Establish formal community endorsement for the project to proceed. 4. Ensure informed family or individual consent which adheres to local Aboriginal cultural protocols (AIATSIS, 2011). 5. Identify any potential risks or harm to communities and individuals (NHMRC, 2003). 6. Adhere to all ethical requirements when dealing with biological materials (Jacobs et al., 2010). 7. Produce protocols relating to the use and storage of biological materials that are agreed to, with clear provisions for withdrawal of samples (Jacobs et al., 2010). 8. Any use of samples for secondary purposes will require community consent and approval, without exception (Hendersen et al., 2002). 9. Researchers must be prepared for community refusal of research and this must be accepted and respected, irrespective of the stage of the research, even if this involves the destruction of biological material. Read more about the Accord and its impact in The Lowitja Journal: https://hubs.li/Q02RBBT90 #EthicalResearch #IndigenousHealth #LowitjaJournal #CommunityLed #ResearchAccord #AboriginalHealth

‘We continue to call on all governments to progress the objectives of the Uluru Statement from the Heart by advancing Voice, Treaty and Truth mechanisms in all jurisdictions and privilege Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in policy decision-making at all levels,' CEO Paul Stewart #StillYes #UluruStatement Photo: Prof Megan Davis with our co-patron Pat Anderson AO https://hubs.li/Q02Tcgp60

Join us for the next webinar in The Lowitja Journal webinar series. Our speakers will break down the CONSIDER statement, a global guideline for reporting health research involving Indigenous peoples, and provide practical examples of how you can strengthen your research practices. Hosted by Kristy Meiselbach and Amali Andrews, this webinar features Distinguished Professor Suetonia Green and Associate Professor Tania Huria from the University of Otago. Together, they will share their expertise in decolonised research practices and discuss how to implement best practice tools in your own research. Register now and secure your spot: https://hubs.ly/Q02RBnhp0 #IndigenousResearch #LowitjaInstitute #CONSIDERStatement #FirstNationsHealth #HealthResearch

Our co-patron, the late Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG has been honoured through a new award recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians delivering exceptional care to advance health outcomes across the state. The Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Health was announced at the SA Health Aboriginal Workforce Network (SHAWN) Forum held last week. Lowitja Institute's Deb Edwards spoke at the event alongside Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton MP. This award honours Yankunytjatjara woman Dr O’Donoghue’s legacy by recognising individuals and initiatives across SA Health that reflect her commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development.

Our CEO Paul Stewart was with Yugambeh Elder Uncle Ted Williams this week for the Indigenous Futures Summit in Queensland. #IFCSummit2024 The University of Queensland ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures.

Nominations are now open for the Tom Calma Award. The award highlights those working to advance health equity, improve public health and reduce tobacco-related harm. Nominations for the inaugural Tom Calma Award close 8 Oct 2024. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gMRyyYtA #OTCC2024 #SystemicChange University of Canberra Raglan Maddox Yardhura Walani

"Critically, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health requires a comprehensive approach that considers health as more than just the absence of disease or illness; it is a holistic concept that includes physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and ecological wellbeing, for both the individual and the community." This article in the Lowitja Journal highlights how high vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities was made possible during the COVID-19 pandemic https://hubs.li/Q02QyJGc0

We are proud to celebrate our co-Patron Pat Anderson AO who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education at their 2024 graduation ceremony. Pats’s recognition reflects the profound impact she has made on the lives of First Nations peoples, and we are honoured to have her as a guiding force at Lowitja Institute.