First Knowledges: HEALTH Spirit, Country & Culture - Interview with Fiona Stanley

Last Friday night, at Kidogo Arthouse, Bathers Beach, Fremantle, the latest book in the First Knowledges series published by Thames & Hudson in collaboration with the National Museum of Australia and titled First Knowledges: HEALTH Spirit, Country and Culture, was launched to great acclaim. Not surprising given that HEALTH is authored by three outstanding researchers in the field of Indigenous health, namely, Shawana Andrews, Sandra Eades and Fiona Stanley,

You’ll find the book in all good bookstores, including New Edition in High Street Fremantle. And online too.

Why First Knowledges? Well, because you don’t prosper as a people for 65,000 years or more without knowing stuff. The First Knowledges series provides a deep understanding of the expertise, wisdom and ingenuity of Indigenous Australians in a range of areas. HEALTH is number 8 in the Indigenous Knowledges series, preceded by many intriguing titles.

For thousands of generations the wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples was grounded in the sacred lands of Mother Earth. Good health occurred naturally because lifestyle and diet were connected to Country and culture. Colonisation damaged this connection, but much is being done to rebuild it.

HEALTH explores concepts that are not tied to Western practices, as it delves into birthing, end-of-life care and other Indigenous cultural rituals. The authors highlight the role of Aboriginal leadership and Eldership in decision making about health care and explore the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resistance and resilience.

Through their storytelling and their decades of research and health practice, Shawana Andrews, Sandra Eades and Fiona Stanley show how Aboriginal Knowledges foster a path for self-determined healthy futures.

Fiona Stanley AC. Credit Fremantle Shipping News

The Editor of Fremantle Shipping News, Michael Barker, was pleased to meet with one of the authors of HEALTH, Fremantle person and 2003 Australian of the Year, Fiona Stanley AC, to make the podcast below where we talk about the book, what you will find within its pages, and the promise of Indigenous Knowledge in the health field.

HEALTH is immensely readable, not a dry academic tome, raises many questions about how health services are delivered in Australia today, not just in the Indigenous health space, and, dare say, should be read by all Australian Health Ministers over the Christmas/New Year break – and, of course, also by all those with even a passing interest in this topic. So much to learn.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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