National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
Reconciliation Australia
ABA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, and upon which ABA's offices are based and our services operate.
We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have been birthing and breastfeeding on Country in Australia for more than 60,000 years.
ABA is developing a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to ensure that our community and its services are accessible, appropriate, affordable and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, babies, families and health professionals. By so doing, ABA will help to address the legacy of colonisation which continues to impact the health of First Nations people.
The process of developing our Reflect RAP, will help to prepare ABA to engage meaningfully in reconciliation. We are excited to take the opportunity of National Reconciliation Week to share the work already underway as we reflect on ABA's reconciliation journey to date. This page begins to tell the story of the Association's engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the past 60 years and describes our current partnerships and activities.
Find National Reconciliation Week events near you in the Reconciliation Australia calendar.
ABA's current collaborations and services designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums, parents and families
Deadly Dads - a workshop for Aboriginal men, run by Aboriginal men
The Deadly Dads workshop provides a space for Aboriginal men to yarn and learn about being a deadly dad and how to support their breastfeeding partner.
Community Breastfeeding Mentoring course
The 10961NAT Course in Community Breastfeeding Mentoring is a nationally recognised short course, designed to teach mentoring skills and basic breastfeeding information to people who support breastfeeding in the community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
Partnerships and collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities during ABA's 60 year history
'Connecting through Country' Victoria Branch conference - 2022
The conference opened with a smoking ceremony conducted by Wadawurrung woman Stephanie Skinner (and the Vic branch has continued to open all our branch conferences since then with smoking ceremonies or other Welcome to Country ceremonies). A panel of three indigenous speakers talked about experiences of birth and breastfeeding, and Indigenous midwife Skye Stewart gave a keynote presentation titled 'Our Families, Our Country: Supporting us to Thrive'. Victorian volunteers appreciated the opportunity to learn how to be more inclusive in our volunteer work.
Song and stories with Gambirra Mob, ACT/NSW Branch conference - 2018
'Heartfelt thanks to the Australian Women’s Breastfeeding Association for inviting us on Saturday at Myuna Bay. A beautiful experience as we shared stories and experiences through music with the theme “My Story - My People - My Knowledge”. Powerful connections with a room full of women and children - and some fabulous dancers! ❤️' - Gambirra
West Pilbara Communities for Children (C4C) Breastfeeding and Early Nutrition Project - 2007-2009
This project targeted pregnant mothers and those with children in the 0-2 age group and encompassed the delivery of breastfeeding and early nutrition information across the entire West Pilbara including outlying Indigenous communities, families living remotely on stations, CALD and young mothers.
Letter from Nhulunbuy - 1999
Heather White describes her experiences organising and attending the Northern Territory NMAA Branch Conference.
Babies of the Dreamtime Video - 1985
The video was produced by the NMAA Aboriginal Outreach team in conjuntion with the NSW Department of Health at Lismore. The video explored the reasons why breastfeeding, for countless generations the birthright of Aboriginal babies, was no longer available to most Koorie jarjums.
Nursing Mothers' Aboriginal Outreach Program - 1983
This NSW Branch pilot program commenced in December 1983 and supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers to reach out to their own communities to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and and provide support to health workers as appropriate.
