To ensure dietitians working in Australia have acceptable knowledge about the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how to communicate in a culturally aware way, the following program materials must be read prior to sitting the Dietetic Skills Recognition (DSR) examinations.
Essential
Aboriginal history/timeline - Journey of health and Wellbeing WA Health 2020
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history – Victorian Public Sector Commission
Australian Government health statistics and information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/indigenous-health
- https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/profile-of-indigenous-australians
Note: look at Aboriginal population age structure to see why it’s important to focus on wellness of families and young people.
Department of Health, National Framework for Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, Australian Government, Canberra, 2016
Read: Family Centred and Strength based care – section 6
Dietitian specific resources
- Dietetics and nutrition with Indigenous communities: A starting point
- A guide to strengths-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communications
Stolen Generations
Blogs – Evolve Communities (Aunty Munya): Facts About Aboriginal Culture in Australia
Aboriginal Diversity – Why One Size Does Not Fit All
Australian Guiding Document: (implications for policy and planning)
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031
Cultural Determinants of health
Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA)
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
Australian Human Rights Commission
Department of Health and Aged Care – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Acknowledgments
Dietitians Australia would like to acknowledge Noell Burgess as the author of this valuable resource of information for our DSR candidates.