An innovative new resource kit has been developed in NSW to help local Aboriginal communities feel more welcome in palliative care settings and start inclusive and culturally appropriate conversations about end of life planning. “Into the Dreaming” is A Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through “Sorry Business”.
The Palliative Care booklet was launched by the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) and Aboriginal Health Unit at Moree Hospital, Tamworth Hospital, Taree Hospital, Newcastle John Hunter Hospital, Calvary Mater Newcastle and multiple health sites across the district earlier this year. It was produced in consultation with Elders from across the HNELHD district, through a series of ‘cancer and palliative yarn ups’ and also in partnership with Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle and MyNetCare Network. The resources were designed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people to help start conversations within their family units and also make people feel more comfortable and informed about the processes involved in palliative care.
Into the Dreaming cover artwork was created by Newcastle artist Carissa Paglino. “We support each other through our journey as Aboriginal people, through our storytelling, languages, song, dance, art. We are more contemporary today and we continue to express ourselves through visual and performing arts, songs, multimedia, poetry, plays and other scriptwriting. We are very diverse people in our sickness journey.”
Click here to download the booklet
