IACES News about Sciences and Health Specialities

Aboriginal elders receive college award

Often sisters and doctors in the clinics of the communities call on our services and we do our best to respond.” Mr Andy Tjilari (Ngangkari, Traditional Healer).

Aboriginal elders receive college award

Mr Andy Tjilari and Mr Rupert Peters are Ngangkari (traditional Indigenous healers), and their roles within Indigenous communities are equivalent to that of doctors.

Both Rupert and Andy are recognised internationally as senior Aboriginal elders and experts in their field. They have worked extensively to educate health professionals about Aboriginal healing methods and cultural knowledge as well as to provide consultation, advice and treatment for mental health problems across Aboriginal communities.

Within Australia they are the first (and currently remain the only) Ngangkaris to be employed full-time to provide specialist mental health services for Aboriginal communities.

At the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' congress held in Adelaide in May 2009, Andy and Rupert were the successful recipients of the Mark Sheldon Prize at the annual award ceremony. The Mark Sheldon Prize was established to honour the memory of Dr Mark Sheldon and recognises the meritorious work done in service provision or research to advance knowledge and understanding of Indigenous mental health.

The two Ngangkari said they were very honoured and humbled to be recognised by such a prestigious group for their life-long work in the area of Indigenous Health and Healing.

The successful recipients of the Mark Sheldon Prize, Andy Tjilari (left), Rupert Peters (right) with Professor Helen Milroy (CAMDH).

 

SOURCE: U.W.A.